Dallas Mavericks Team Report - March 18

(Basketball News) - The Dallas Mavericks had their two-game winning streak stopped on Wednesday with a surprising 111-110 loss to the lowly Atlanta Hawks at the AmericanAirlines Center.

Steve Nash had 30 points and nine assists for the Mavericks, who fell for the fifth time in their last eight games. Dirk Nowitzki collected 28 points and 10 boards in the losing effort.

Trailing by 14 heading into the final period, Dallas began the fourth with a 12-4 run to climb within 94-88. Nash and Michael Finley each highlighted the flurry with four points apiece. However, the Hawks withstood the rush and extended the cushion to 105-94 moments later.

The Mavericks refused to go away as they reeled off nine of the next 11 points and pulled within 107-103 with just under three minutes left. Stephen Jackson hit a free throw, but Nash then made a layup and a three-pointer sandwiched around Jackson’s dunk to cut the deficit to 110-108 with 58.8 seconds left.

Jason Collier was then fouled and made 1-of-2 from the line to make it a three-point game with 41.6 seconds left. Nash then converted a driving layup to bring his team within one and after a Jason Terry miss, Nowitzki then grabbed the rebound with 12 seconds remaining.

Nash’s runner as time expired was off the mark and thwarted Dallas’ furious comeback attempt.

Dallas is currently tied for fifth in the Western Conference playoff race with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Mavericks, who will close a two-game homestand on Friday against the Boston Celtics, have won nine of 10 and 13 of their last 15 at home and are 29-5 at home this season.

Dallas lost to the Celtics earlier in the season, but has won six of seven and eight of the last 10 meetings.The Mavs have also won three straight at home against Boston.