The Milwaukee Bucks (15-23) emerged with the 96-95 home win against the Dallas Mavericks (21-16), Friday night.
The Bucks held the lead for most of the game and were up by as many as 17 but Dallas battled back when it counted to make it a tight finish. The Mavs pulled ahead 95-94 with 30 seconds left, which was their first lead since being up 8-6 in the first quarter. However, some clutch defense by the Bucks got them a steal and a fast break layup that put them up one, for the win.
Milwaukee broke a six-game losing streak against the Mavericks and also broke their three-game losing streak with this win.
Khris Middleton continued his impressive play for Milwaukee. Middleton had 17 points by halftime and finished with a total of 27 points (10-18 FG. 7-9 FT), five assists and three rebounds, in 39 minutes. Michael Carter-Williams recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, along with eight assists and five steals, in 41 minutes. John Henson came up with some clutch defense during the last possessions and was a nearly perfect 8-9 from the field on his way to 16 points, in 20 minutes off the bench.
The Mavericks shot an NBA season-high 26 three-point attempts in the first half and finished the game 14-44 from beyond the arc. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas in scoring with 20 points (6-17 FG, 4-10 3Pt) and also pulled down nine rebounds, in 35 minutes. Devin Harris provided a spark in 18 minutes off the bench with 19 points (7-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt), two rebounds and three assists. Zaza Pachulia was solid against his old team as he finished with nine points, 15 rebounds and three assists, in 31 minutes.
Next the Mavericks will wrap up their current three-game road trip in Minnesota on Sunday. The Bucks will visit New York to face the Knicks on Sunday.
