United States, May 11: Nick Van Exel scored a game-high 40 points as the Dallas Mavericks battled to a 141-137 double-overtime victory over the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference play-offs.
He bagged eight of his points in the second overtime as the underdog Mavericks took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with game four to be played in Sacramento on Sunday.
Van Exel hit a crucial two-pointer just three seconds from the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, then hit two free throws to clinch it late in the second extra period. Team-mate Steve Nash added 31 points and 11 assists, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 25 while pulling down 20 rebounds. The Philadelphia 76ers got back into their second-round series by defeating the Detroit Pistons 93-83 Saturday night.
The win means the 76ers now trail the second-round series 2-1, with game four to come on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Led by big men Kenny Thomas and Tyrone Hill, the 76ers out-rebounded the Pistons 48-30 and scored 27 second-chance points in a one-sided game that offered little suspense.



Thomas had 10 points and 14 rebounds before pulling a leg muscle late in the third quarter. Hill had nine points and six rebounds in just 22 minutes, but that was still more than Detroit's Ben Wallace managed to contribute in 36 minutes. The NBA's leading rebounder was held to six points and six rebounds.



Allen Iverson had 25 points and 11 assists, and Keith Van Horn had his best game of the series with 17 points. Richard Hamilton scored 24 points to lead the Pistons, and Tayshaun Prince had 17.



Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle, but the team hopes to have him back for Sunday night's game.


Bureau Report