Gordon Hayward’s Buzzer Beater Sinks Mavs in Overtime

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DALLAS, TX—Despite leading by as much as 15 points, the Dallas Mavericks fell 121-119 on a buzzer beating jumper by Gordon Hayward in overtime. 

 

“We’ve got to let this one eat at us, got to let it haunt us a little bit,” said Mavs guard Wesley Matthews. “We’ve got to come back with the whole mind frame of winning and nothing, but winning by any means.”

Gordon Hayward at the buzzer to give the Jazz the win over the Mavs!https://t.co/8Tad46qiBc

— DTS Hoops (@dtshoops) February 10, 2016

 

 

Despite not hitting a single two-point field goal, the Mavs took a 29-21 lead into the second quarter. They shot six of 12 from behind the arc and 11 made free throws in the first quarter, that also featured a monster, highlight-reel dunk by second-year forward Dwight Powell.

 

Oh, Canada ? #DALvsUTA https://t.co/32fAcLc2mg

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 10, 2016

And the Mavs weren’t just scoring either. They also ended the quarter with four players with a plus-12 net efficiency rating.

 

 

 

Chandler Parsons continued to be hot on offensive end of the floor, leading the Mavs with 14 points in the first half as Dallas took a 58-51 lead into halftime. He finished the game with a team-high 24 points.

 

After the Mavs took a nine-point advantage into the final period, the Jazz continued to chip away at the Dallas’ lead, using a 16-4 run to turn a 10-point deficit into a two point lead with just 4:33 left in regulation.

 

Up three points with just seven seconds left, the Mavs elected not to foul and they watched Jazz guard Rodney Hood sink a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds that ultimately sent the game into overtime.

 

“I like our chances in overtime,” Mavs head coach told reporters after the game when asked about his decision to not to foul in the final seconds of regulation.

 

Despite tallying 23 points against his former team, including 10 in crunch time for Dallas in the fourth quarter, Deron Williams was held scoreless in overtime.

 

After trading baskets for much of the period, a potential go-ahead Chandler Parsons three-pointer hit the front iron of the rim to put the final possession in the hands of Jazz. Following a Jazz timeout, Gordon Hayward hit a step back, 17-foot jumper over Zaza Pachulia as time expired to send the Jazz to victory over the Mavs.

 

TIME TO HEAL

Perhaps, the All-Star break couldn’t come at a better time for the Dallas Mavericks, who have had a brutal schedule since January 1, playing 23 games in the last 40 days.

 

Walking through the postgame locker room of bandaged and limping Mavericks, the disappointment could be seen on the faces of the players.

 

As one of the oldest teams, they welcome the impending All-Star break, despite the loss.

 

“We still have to enjoy this break,” Mavs center Zaza Pachulia said. “It’s been a tough month for us, but we’re gonna recharge, just get it right because the second half is very important.”

 

The Mavs will have 10 days off before their next game and no schedule to practice until February 17. So for now, you can expect them to drink a lot of Budweiser while they relax, recharge, and gear up for the stretch run to end the 2015-16 regular season.

 

 

UP NEXT: at Orlando Magic on February 19 at 6:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest.