MILWAUKEE, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Ray Allen scored 28 points and Tim Thomas added a season-high 27 Wednesday night as Milwaukee posted an exciting 120-114 victory over Dallas.
Sparked by Allen and Thomas, who combined to make 21-of-41 shots from the field and 9-of-18 from three-point range, the Bucks completed a season sweep of the Mavericks. Last season, Dallas beat every team in the NBA.
"I don't think anyone beat us twice last year," said Dallas Coach Don
Nelson. "It has been a while since that happened."
The efforts by Allen and Thomas were needed as the Mavs got huge games from the trio of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Michael Finley. Nowitzki scored 27 points, Nash 26, and Finley 25.
"It didn't matter if we played man-to-man or zone, they still scored," Nowitzki said. "We scored enough to win, but it is hard to beat 120 points. It was a tough game for us."
Despite the production from their three best players, Dallas squandered an 11-point third-quarter lead, matched a season high with their third straight loss, and fell to a mediocre 7-7 since a blistering 31-5 start.
While Allen and Thomas carried the Bucks, Sam Cassell was clutch down the stretch. With his club clinging to a one-point lead, Cassell drained a tough jumper over Nick Van Exel, giving the Bucks a 117-114 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
Instead of opting for a quick basket, the Mavericks went for the tie. Nash and Finley misfired on three-pointers. Cassell made 1-of-2 attempts from the free throw line with 10 seconds left to seal it.
"It was a solid home win for us tonight," Cassell said. "We gave ourselves a chance in the fourth quarter to win the ballgame and we got the win. We kept our heads up in the third quarter when they jumped to that lead. Tonight we moved the ball and hit out shots. It's as simple as that."
Toni Kukoc scored nine of his 14 points in a 16-4 run that gave the Bucks their biggest lead at 110-100 with 5:15 to play. Kukoc had two three-pointers and a three-point play in the spurt.
Milwaukee had plenty of looks all night from deep and converted 12-of-29 treys. Allen went 5-of-12 from beyond the arc.
