Bennedict Mathurin’s big finish rescues Pacers in win over Mavericks

Bennedict Mathurin’s sensational fourth quarter and a 3-pointer by Andrew Nembhard with 14.7 seconds left opened Indiana’s five-game homestand in dramatic fashion with a 135-131 win over Dallas on Wednesday in Indianapolis.Mathurin scored 16 of his 23 points in the final 5:54, including 10 straight in one stretch, taking over late in the Pacers’ rally from down 11 points midway through the final period.The Pacers (39-29) squandered a halftime lead of 11 points, fell behind by four and regained the lead in the final minute of the period.P.J. Washington, who led Dallas with 26 points, went back-and-forth with Mathurin down the stretch. Their in-game, one-on-one competition included Washington drawing a foul on Mathurin, which was upheld upon video review, immediately after Mathurin sank a pair of free throws off of a foul against Washington.Washington split his attempts, however, 29.7 seconds left, and after Andrew Nembhard made a foul shot on the other end, Pascal Siakam came up with a steal that led to Nembhard’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 16.1 seconds to play.Aaron Nesmith drew an offensive foul on the ensuing Mavericks’ possession, effectively securing the win for the Pacers.