INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The Indiana Pacers attempted 101 shots, made 14 3-pointers, had seven players score in double figures and set a Conseco Fieldhouse scoring record Tuesday night but could not defeat Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Nowitzki made two free throws with 3.6 seconds left in double overtime as the Mavericks posted a 141-140 victory over the Pacers.
Jonathan Bender, who missed a pair at the line with 8.7 seconds left and the Pacers ahead, 140-139, attempted a turnaround jumper from the left baseline just before the buzzer, but the shot hit the side of the backboard and the Mavericks escaped with their sixth straight road win.
Nowitzki had 38 points, making 14-of-15 free throws, and 17 rebounds for the Mavericks, who swept their season series from the Pacers for the first time since 1995-96. Michael Finley was 11-of-12 from the line and had 31 points and 14 rebounds.
Dallas finished 38-of-42 from the line, while Indiana made 28-of-37. But the Pacers missed several crucial free throws down the stretch and in the extra sessions.
With the game tied at 131-131 and 5.4 seconds left in overtime, Indiana rookie Jamaal Tinsley missed a pair of free throws. Steve Nash and Jeff Foster fought for the loose ball, and Nash was called for a foul. Foster missed both attempts from the line and Nowitzki grabbed the rebound and called timeout.
Nash did not get off a shot in the paint in time and the game went to a second overtime.
Jalen Rose led Indiana with 33 points before fouling out in overtime. Austin Croshere matched a career high with 32 points -- 18 more than his previous season high -- and had 12 rebounds.
Reggie Miller added 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and Tinsley finished with 18 points and 19 assists.
Dallas led 112-102 before Croshere hit a 3-pointer with 3:38 left in regulation to start an 18-8 closing kick. After Nash sank a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to give Dallas a 110-107 lead, Croshere pump-faked Nowitzki and hit an open 3-pointer with just over a second left to tie it.
Nash hit a runner from the right baseline, but the referees ruled he shot it after the buzzer.
