Mavericks roll over Rockets in Game 7

DALLAS -- When they needed it most, the Dallas Mavericks put together a record-setting romp in their first really good game of the playoffs.

And take note, Phoenix: They did it despite Dirk Nowitzki still misfiring.

With Jason Terry leading the offense and Josh Howard setting the defensive tone against Tracy McGrady, Dallas took a huge lead in the opening minutes and built on it the rest of the way for an impressive 116-76 victory over the Houston Rockets last night.

It was the most lopsided Game 7 score in NBA history.

Terry scored 21 of his 31 points in the first half, while Howard forced McGrady to miss six of his first seven shots. Although McGrady finished with 27 points, he shot 10 of 26 while trying to force the Rockets back into it. Frustrated that he couldn't, he punched the air and came close to hitting an official. Teammate Mike James also let his emotions get the best of him and was tossed in the final minute of the third quarter for arguing a noncall.

Dallas led by 15 on a 3-pointer by Terry early in the second quarter. It was the Mavericks' biggest lead yet this series, but they were only getting started.

"We came out too flat," McGrady said. "We couldn't defend anybody. They were driving right by us. Guys were knocking down shots. I don't think we were ready for that."

They were up 24 before halftime and stretched it to 28 at the end of the third quarter. The advantage reached 30 points soon after, and the only drama left was how many records would be set.

"We cracked in every way," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "It was really not befitting how we played and conducted ourselves this year. The way it ended does not reflect well on myself or the team, but it does not affect my overall pride. It does show how very, very far we have to go."

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the final victory margin broke the record of 39 for a Game 7 set by the St. Louis Bombers when they defeated the Philadelphia Warriors, 85-46, in the final game of the 1948 league semifinals. Dallas became just the third team in playoff history to win a seven-game series after losing the first two games at home. The Mavericks started strong on defense and kept it up, forcing the Rockets to miss 11 of their first 13 shots. They also were opportunistic on offense, driving the lane with abandon and drilling their outside shots as if it was pregame warmups. Terry, the most accurate 3-point shooter in the NBA this postseason, made his first three from behind the arc and Michael Finley was 3 of 4.Nowitzki, who has been battling a cold, finished with a series-low 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Howard had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Yao Ming led Houston with 33 points.