Trail Blazers vs Mavericks Tuesday, 01/04/11 AT 05:30PM

Aldridge goes for 28, but Terry closes in stretch

01/04/11

Written by: ShalamarClark / avg. rating: 4.5

Jason Terry scored 18 points on 8-of-19 shooting after rallying for 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three-pointer that tied the ball game with 2:34 to lift Dallas, 84-81, at home over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday.

“I had two games in a row where the ball wasn’t falling for me,” said Terry, “people would [be] like I might lose my confidence but I’m a shooter so I just keep shooting. We just kept fighting tonight and got it done.”

Terry surged on the offensive end, connecting on seven of Dallas’ (26-8) final 10 points, while on the other end, the Mavericks’ defense swarmed the Trail Blazers (18-17) to many contested shots deep on the shot clock.

LaMarcus Aldridge recorded his 15th double-double with 28 points on 11-of-23 attempts and snatched 10 rebounds as Portland shot 42 percent from the floor.

Portland faced a three-point deficit and one inbound play with 3.7 seconds on the clock. Aldridge had a chance at sending the game into overtime after throwing a heavily defended turnaround three, but the desperation shot missed off the backboard.

“We’ve got to get shooters out,” said Trail Blazers’ Head Coach Nate McMillan of Aldridge’s final shot. “[The Mavericks] were in a zone. They took away Rudy and Patty. LaMarcus came out and you’ve got to take the first available shot.”

DeShawn Stevenson also had 18 points on 5-of-12 from the field and drained four from long range, including a deep one that pushed Dallas’ lead 82-78 with 51.9 seconds in the fourth.

Tyson Chandler registered a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Jose Barea scored 10 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who shot 43 percent.

Terry was just too much down the stretch as the Mavericks finished on a 12-4 run to drop the Trail Blazers for the second time this season.

“To win games, you’ve got to make plays going down the stretch,” said McMillan. “When it’s winning time, you’ve got to make those plays. You’ve got to come up with the boards, offensively you’ve got to execute, and you’ve got to put the ball in the basket. And you’re right in the sense that they’ve made big plays, big shots and it’s been the difference in the game.”

Nicolas Batum chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds for Portland after leaving the game with a mild sprained left ankle, defending a three-point play from Stevenson that closed the third 62-60. He did return in the fourth.

Marcus Camby had a monster game on the boards, ending with a double-double night. The 6-11 center tied his season-high 20 rebounds after pulling down 11 boards by halftime. Camby also scored 10 points.

The Mavericks held a 43-40 lead at halftime as the Trail Blazers hit just 6-of-19 in the second quarter. Stevenson put Dallas up by three at the free-throw line after Matthews was called on a foul on a last-second three at the buzzer.

Matthews had 10 points and banked in an off-balanced three-pointer with the shot clock winding down to bring Portland within one with 33.9 seconds in the game. Matthews, who leads all sophomores in the NBA with 60 threes, nailed two 3-pointers in Tuesday's matchup and has hit at least one in 21 consecutive games.

Portland, which ranks third in the NBA in free-throw percentage with 79.5, had an uncharacteristic night. The Trail Blazers missed out on crucial opportunities to tie the game, hitting just 11-17, while Dallas converted 10-13.

Dallas turned up the tempo in the second quarter on a 5-0 run. Brendan Haywood came off the bench and contributed eight points and six rebounds to help Dallas’ reserves tally an 18-11 advantage.

Portland started hot connecting on six of its first 10 shots including a three from Matthews on its first possession. The Trail Blazers built a 14-6 lead midway through the opening quarter, but it was quickly diminished with a 7-2 run from Dallas as the both teams ended the first tied at 24-24.

"We need to stay focused," said McMillan, "and you’ve got to make plays down the stretch."

The Trail Blazers, who dropped their first matchup of a three-game trip, will travel to Huston on Wednesday in back-to-back action as they look to plunge the Rockets for the second time in three days. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.