Chapter 147: Rising to the Challenge.
Han Sen's mid-range shot missed, and Chandler grabbed the rebound.
The Mavericks finally didn't pass to Nowitzki but instead had Kidd set up a play from the perimeter.
West moved without the ball, Marion cut sharply to the basket, and Kidd threaded the pass through defenders to Marion, who took off and laid it in.
At 38, Kidd posed no scoring threat, but his passing skills were razor-sharp; he was aging like fine wine.
4 to 10.
With Nowitzki's lead, the Mavericks opened perfectly.
Randolph finally muscled in a basket over Chandler in the post.
But right back, it was Nowitzki again, slipping into the lane on a sudden cut, shaking off Gasol after receiving Kidd's pass for a layup.
After failing to catch up, Gasol punched the padding in frustration under the basket.
He was truly getting mentally beaten.
"We all know some nights belong to certain players, and tonight, without a doubt, is Dirk's night," Barkley remarked from the commentary booth.