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Nowitzki now top non-US scorer
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DIRK Nowitzki vividly remembers watching Hakeem Olajuwon from his home in Germany as a teenager in the 1990s.
That’s one of the reasons his latest move up the National Basketball Association scoring list was special for the 2.14-meter Dallas Mavericks star. Another would be the milestone coming at home when the Mavericks rallied from 24 points down to win.
Nowitzki had 23 points to surpass Olajuwon as the highest-scoring player born outside the United States, as the Mavericks came from way behind to beat Sacramento 106-98 on Tuesday for their 21st straight regular-season win at home against the Kings.
“You know, to pass ‘The Dream’ is unbelievable,” said the 36-year-old Nowitzki, in his 17th season with the Mavericks. “He was unguardable on the block. His footwork, his skill level, his hands, his touch was second to none, so I’m pretty proud.”
Nowitzki came into Tuesday’s contest needing 17 points to pass Olajuwon, who finished his brilliant career with 26,946 points.
Nowitzki hit a jumper from just inside the 3-point line early in the fourth quarter to pass Olajuwon at No. 9, and he finished the night at 26,953 career points. That’s seven more than the 7-footer from Nigeria, who starred for 17 years in Houston before retiring in 2002 after one season in Toronto.
Next on the NBA career scoring list for Nowitzki is No. 8 Elvin Hayes with 27,313.
Chandler Parsons tallied 19 points and Monta Ellis delivered all of his 14 points in the second half to spark the comeback for Dallas, which has won 21 straight at home over the Kings.
Rudy Gay scored 26 points, Ramon Sessions had 18 in place of Darren Collison and DeMarcus Cousins finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a second straight loss. Collison did not play due to shoulder stiffness.
Elsewhere, it was: Raptors 104, Magic 100; Grizzlies 107, Lakers 102; Bucks 85, Thunder 78; Trail Blazers 102, Hornets 100; and Spurs 113, Warriors 100.
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