Dallas shock Spurs to draw level

Spurs’ Gregg Popovich receives third Coach of the Year trophy but Dallas win to even the Western Conference series.

The win ended the Mavericks' 10-game losing streak to the Spurs [Reuters]

San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich received his third NBA Coach of the Year trophy but it was Dallas who stole the show as they blew out the top-seeded Spurs 113-92 to even the Western Conference series.

The Mavericks forced 22 turnovers and ended a 10-game losing streak to the Spurs to tie the series 1-1.

Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 21 points, one more than forward Shawn Marion, as the Mavericks out-scored San Antonio 57-41 in the second half. Dirk Nowitzki added 16. Manu Ginobili had a big night off the bench, scoring 27 points, but the other Spurs leaders were quiet.

Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 32 points to lead the Miami Heat as they earned a 101-97 hard-fought playoff victory over the Charlotte Bobcats to take further control of the series.

The Heat now lead the best-of-seven first-round Eastern Conference playoff matchup 2-0.

LaMarcus Aldridge delivered another scintillating performance and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets 112-105 to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference quarter-finals series.

Aldridge had 43 points and eight rebounds to win his duel with Rockets center Dwight Howard, who paired 32 points with 14 rebounds while adding four blocked shots.

Aldridge also scored 46 in the playoff opener as the Blazers took two games in Houston and head to Portland for Game Three on Friday with a healthy lead.

Source: Reuters