Nowitzki recalls clinching first playoff series in Utah

In a way, for Dirk Nowitzki, what happened Monday night at the Vivint Smart Home Arena was almost like coming full circle.

Back in April of 2001, Nowitzki clinched his first playoff series ever with the Dallas Mavericks when they defied the odds and upset the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. The Mavericks were down 0-2 in that best-of-five series to Karl Malone and John Stockton.

But some how, some way, Mavericks center Calvin Booth broke free and scored a layup with 9.8 seconds left as Dallas captured the decisive Game 5 of that series 84-83 in stunning fashion. That amazing victory was brought to Nowitzki’s attention after the Mavericks clinched a playoff series with Monday’s 102-93 victory over the Jazz at the newly named Vivint Smart Home Arena.

It’s the same building as the Delta Center, just a different name. And before Nowitzki analyzed what the Mavericks accomplished Monday in advancing to the playoffs for the 15^th time in the past 16 years, he couldn’t help but reminisce back to 2001.

"Great memories, obviously, I’ll never forget that,’’ Nowitzki said. "To win Game 5, I think we were down 16-18 going into the fourth.

"(Then-Mavericks coach Don Nelson) came up with this kind of half-court press just to slow them down and take them out of their pick-and-roll game, and it completely worked and we came back and stole it at the buzzer with the Calvin Booth bucket. I’ll never forget that.’’

Nowitzki also will never forget what transpired Monday as the battered and bruised Mavericks overcame their injuries and won a game on the road in one of the toughest arena in the NBA for an opponent to play in. Nowitzki scored 10 of the Mavericks’ first 14 points and finished the game with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

"Obviously I knew it was a big game,’’ said Nowitzki, who was seven-of-12 from the field. "I haven’t been the hottest player of them all, so I felt good, I felt decent warming up.

"I hit some, and like I said that first play (of the game) was run for me to come off (the pick-and-roll) either way. I decided to come high and Zaza (Pachulia) set a good screen and I was able to knock that down and I figured from there it would be a good night for me, and just don’t over-do it.’’

Nothing Nowitzki did on Monday could be classified as something that was overdone. It was a textbook clinic by the 18-year veteran, who continues to amaze everyone that he can still perform at this high level even though he’ll turn 38 in two months.

"I got one word: Brilliant,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said of Nowitzki. "Just pure brilliance.

"You knew he was dialed in and ready to go. He was great all night.’’

Nowitzki said the Mavericks saw the preseason predictions from the prognosticators, and they took it personal.

"I saw a lot of websites actually picked us to finish last in the West, and I think we took that challenge,’’ Nowitzki said. "The last two weeks were impressive.

"I don’t think nobody thought we could still make it two weeks ago. When we were two games, three games behind .500, things didn’t look good at all.’’

It was sort of the same way some 15 years ago for Nowitzki. Things didn’t look good for the Mavericks after they fell behind in that first-round playoff series to the Jazz, 0-2.

But they dug themselves out. Just like they’ve done this season.

"I’ll never forget being in the playoffs for the first time,’’ Nowitzki said. "It was a lot of fun and I’ll always remember that first year for the rest of my life.’’

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 4:06 AM with the headline "Nowitzki recalls clinching first playoff series in Utah."