TORONTO – The Dallas Mavericks needed every last bit of Monta Ellis’ fourth-quarter heroics to get a win against the Raptors.
Ellis scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth, Tyson Chandler had 11 points and 10 rebounds and the Mavericks won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating Toronto 106-102 on Friday night.
Ellis accounted for 15 of Dallas’ final 19 points, including 10 straight at one stretch, as the Mavericks opened a four-game road trip on a winning note.
“That was big,” Dallas forward Al-Farouq Aminu said of Ellis’ clutch performance. “He stepped up and took those shots. It takes a lot of courage to take those kind of shots. That’s what we trust him to do, that’s why the ball is in his hands.”
Ellis connected on 12 of his 25 shots, including three of five 3-pointers. He scored 24 of his 30 in the second half.
“He really hurt us today,” Toronto’s Greivis Vasquez said. “He had a great game.”
Chandler Parsons scored 16 points, Dirk Nowitzki had 15 and Aminu 14 as the Mavericks snapped Toronto’s winning streak at six games.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle won his 300th game with Dallas. He’s the third coach in team history to reach the mark, joining Don Nelson (339) and Dick Motta (329).
“We’re fortunate to get out of here with a win,” Carlisle said. “We earned it.”
Kyle Lowry scored 25 points, Amir Johnson had 20 and Lou Williams 16 for the Raptors, who saw All-Star DeMar DeRozan leave in the third with a strained left groin.
“Hopefully he’s not out long,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey said.
Patrick Patterson had 10 points and 12 rebounds as the Raptors dropped to 9-2 at home. Toronto’s only other home defeat this season was a 100-93 loss to Chicago on Nov. 13.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump tonight,” Lowry said.
Devin Harris made a pair of free throws with 7:22 left to give Dallas an 84-73 lead, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Johnson and Greivis Vasquez cut it to 84-79.
Parsons hit a jump shot and Harris made one of two at the line, but Lowry answered with two free throws and Johnson made a layup, making it 87-83 with 5:10 left.
After a Dallas timeout, Ellis scored consecutive baskets on either side of a turnover by Lowry, then added a 3 at 3:27 to give the Mavericks a 94-83 lead.
Toronto refused to go quietly, however. Vasquez made back-to-back 3s, Lowry followed a pair of Nowitzki free throws with another 3, then made a layup with 33 seconds left, bringing the Raptors to within three at 99-96.
Ellis made one of two free throws with 15 seconds left, giving Dallas a four-point lead, but a jumper by Lowry cut the gap to two, 104-102. Harris was fouled and made both, and Lowry’s final 3-point shot missed.
DEMAR GOES DOWN
DeRozan slipped and fell on a drive to the basket at 8:23 of the third. He remained down for several minutes, kicking his leg in pain as his concerned teammates gathered around. Eventually, DeRozan stood up and walked gingerly to the locker room. Minutes later, the Raptors announced that DeRozan had suffered a strained left groin and would not return. “It’s some big shoes to fill,” Casey said. “The next guy has to be ready to step up.” DeRozan finished scoreless for the first time this season, missing all eight shots from the field in 21 minutes.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: G Jameer Nelson (back spasms) missed his second straight game. … G Raymond Felton (right ankle) was inactive, but could make his Dallas debut in Saturday’s game at Philadelphia. … Dallas snapped a three-game losing streak against the Raptors. … Besides playing the 76ers, the Mavericks also visit Chicago and Milwaukee on this trip.
Raptors: F Tyler Hansbrough (right shoulder) missed his fifth straight game. … The Raptors lost for the first time in five games this season against Western Conference opponents. … Toronto wore its original purple uniforms, the second of seven times they’ll do so this season as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations. Former guard Jalen Rose attended the game and was honored with a video montage during the first quarter.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: At Philadelphia on Saturday.
Raptors: At Lakers on Sunday.
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