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Matthews helps Blazers get by Mavs in Game 3

Apr 22, 2011 - 6:05 AM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Wesley Matthews finished with 25 points, helping the Portland Trail Blazers get back into their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Mavericks with a 97-92 victory in Game 3.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points for the Blazers, who still face a 2-1 deficit in the matchup but will have a chance to even the series Saturday at home.

Brandon Roy had 16 points and four assists in a resurgent performance for Portland. He had played just eight minutes and didn't score in Game 2, after which he expressed disappointment to the Oregonian.

He later apologized for the slightly controversial comments, and Thursday he played an important role for the Blazers in nearly 24 minutes off the bench.

Jason Terry had 29 points and seven assists for Dallas, while Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 with nine boards.

The Mavericks held a 72-71 edge after Terry drained a three-pointer with 40.9 seconds left in the third quarter, but Roy and Nicolas Batum hit two free throws apiece for Portland to close the quarter.

The foul shots also started a 16-2 run that spanned into the fourth. Batum connected on a jumper before knocking down a three shortly into the final quarter, and Gerald Wallace closed the stretch by hitting a three and making 2-of-2 from the line.

The rally gave the Blazers an 87-74 advantage and put them in control with 8:05 to go.

The Mavericks scored the next seven to stay close, but they couldn't draw even down the stretch.

They were within 95-90 after Nowitzki connected on a turnaround bank shot with 42.9 seconds remaining, and got the ball back following Matthews' missed jumper.

Jason Kidd then made a shot with the front of his foot near the three-point line, and it was ruled a two-pointer. It got Dallas within a possession with 12.9 ticks left, but Andre Miller ended the Mavericks' comeback hopes by making two foul shots at the other end.

Portland held a 54-52 edge after a hot-shooting first half, when the Blazers led by as many as nine and shot 58 percent. Dallas made 60 percent of its shots in the opening two quarters, but turned the ball over eight times.

Game Notes

The Mavericks had 16 total turnovers, leading to 16 Blazers points...Aside from Terry and Nowitzki, no Dallas player scored in double figures...Wallace finished with 11 rebounds for Portland, while Marcus Camby hauled in 10 boards...The Blazers scored 81 and 89 points in the first two games, respectively.