The Basketball Diaries-We're on a Nowitzki High

C'mon Foul Ballsketeers, rise and shine! No excuses. Clean the spittle off your chin, put the screwtop back on the Rebel Yell, down a couple Advil and let the sports news begin.


Dallas Mavericks 115, Indiana Pacers 113
If you were calling your bookie for a payoff late in the game, you forgot to factor in Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitski exploded last night with a season-high 43 to rally the Mavericks and beat the Pacers in overtime. "We've been in a lot of close games, that's what got us to the finals last year," said Nowitzki, who, despite an injury to his ankle, scored three free throws in the final five seconds of overtime to clinch the win. "We learned last year how to close big games out, and that's what you've got to do." "Dammit dammit dammit," said Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal who had 26 points and 9 rebounds.

Seattle Sonics 122, Utah Jazz 114
Seattle looked like it was headed for its seventh straight loss, then Ray Allen stepped in. Next thing you know, he had steered Seattle into a surprise OT and win. Allen scored 54 points - 17-for-32 from the field, 12-for-12 at the line -and grabbed 10 rebounds, the team's second best performance in its history. "Ray's performance was one of the finest most people here tonight have ever seen," Seattle coach Bob Hill said. Utah coach Jerry Sloan was no less impressed: ""I'd say he was terrific. I don't know if it can get any better." Get the feeling he played well last night?


L.A. Lakers 109, Orlando Magic 106
It was a close game from start to finish; no team ever led by more seven points. But as it always happens after the Lakers are embarrassed (and they were sure embarrassed in two abysmal performances earlier this week), Kobe showed up to save the day. He scored when it counted - 28 points in all, 16 of them in the final six minutes - to best Orlando last night at Staple Center. And, finally, Smush got off his tush: Parker scored a career-high 26 points, helping L.A. to beat Orlando for the fifth straight time and 15th in 17 meetings.

Whaddya expect in a basketball highlight photo from L.A.?