NBA

On this date in 2019: Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade put on a show in final home games; Jamal Crawford scores 51 and more

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Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, and Jamal Crawford

April 9th was the penultimate gameday of the 2018-19 NBA regular season. 

Slated with 11 games, the memorable day was headlined by the final home games of franchise superstars - Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade.

Dirk sets records in home finale

Nowitzki, who's played all of his 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, scored a season-high 30 points on 31 shots in a convincing 120-109 victory. His points tally made him the oldest player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in a game, passing Michael Jordan.

Playing a season-high 32 minutes, he began the game scoring the team's first 10 points and eventually finished with eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. En route to reaching 30 points, he knocked down five 3-pointers which took him past Joe Johnson for 11th on all-time 3-pointers made list. 

MORE: Sights and sounds from Dirk's final home game

Postgame, a host of legends including Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Scottie Pippen were present as the Mavericks honoured and celebrated the legend that carried them to the 2011 Championship - the only title in franchise history.

Jamal Crawford drops 51, nearly spoils Dirk's night

At halftime of the game between the Suns and the Mavericks, the home team led by 30 points, but in the second half, the Suns were led by an inspired 39-year-old veteran in Jamal Crawford.

Crawford, who finished the game with a season-high 51 points (18-of-30 FG; 7-of-13 3PT; 8-of-9 FT), scored 39 of those in the second half as the Suns outscored the Mavs 71-52 in the second half but couldn't seal the deal. 

Crawford's shot chart in the second-half:

Jamal Crawford

With this game, Crawford pipped Michael Jordan to became the oldest player ever to score 50 and became the first-ever to score 50 points for four franchises

D-Wade stars in blowout win

Hosting a Philadelphia 76ers squad without Joel Embiid, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat dominated from the first quarter and cruised to a 23-point blowout win.

MORE: Sights and Sounds from D-Wade's final home game

Playing a then season-high 34 minutes, Wade finished with 30 points (the second-highest tally of the season), three rebounds and three assists. 

A long and emotional postgame interview was followed up with plenty of jersey swaps and pictures.

Dwyane Wade jersey swaps

Game-winners on April 9th

Maurice Harkless vs. Los Angeles Lakers

After Magic Johnson announced pregame, that he was stepping down as the Los Angeles Lakers' President of Basketball Operations, the team suited up and battled the Portland Trail Blazers till the final second.

However, Harkless gave the Trail Blazers the final say by knocking down a buzzer-beating game-winning three from the corner.

Paul George vs. Houston Rockets

In a star-studded affair (James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Chris Paul) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, PG nailed the clutch corner three that sealed the Thunder's 14-point come-from-behind victory.

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