Not only do the Mavericks have the second-best record in the Western Conference, they also lead in road wins with nine. That comes after having losing records away from home the last two seasons. Dallas coach Rick Carlisle didn't have an exact explanation when asked why his team is off to a 9-4 mark on the road. "Sometimes schedule can have something to do with it," he said, "Sometimes the teams you're playing, the matchups can influence it."
The fast start is impressive when compared to the other contenders in the conference. No other team in the West was more than three games over .500 on the road going into Saturday.
Carlisle did say the Mavs carried over the momentum of a Southern California sweep of the Lakers and Clippers the first week of the season. Dallas actually has more away wins than home (eight).
"We got off to a very good start on the road with the two wins in L.A. this year and got some momentum, and obviously we don't want to lose it," Carlisle said. "It's just very competitive from top to bottom in the entire league, so you've got to be ready to play whoever you're playing, wherever you're playing."
MAVERICKS 98, BOBCATS 97 (OT): Dirk Nowitzki hit a jumper with 1.7 seconds left in overtime and scored 36 as Dallas rallied Saturday night at home. Both teams were playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Mavs were in control early, racing to an 18-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Stephen Jackson began to heat up and the Bobcats rallied, taking a lead into the half.
Charlotte was still up eight in the fourth before Nowitzki mounted his own personal surge. Scoring at will down the stretch, Nowitzki tied the game at 85 with a foul-line jumper with 10.9 seconds left in regulation.
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