DALLAS -- Vince Carter knew right away the exact date of the last time he had a buzzer-beating try in a playoff game -- 13 years ago. Its seared in the memory of the 16-year veteran because he missed that one. He was on target Saturday. Carter hit a double-pump 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Dallas Mavericks a 109-108 victory in Game 3 and a first-round series lead over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. With 1.7 seconds left, Carter took an inbound pass from Jose Calderon in the left corner. After a quick pump fake got Manu Ginobili in the air -- moments after the Argentine guard had given the Spurs the lead -- Carter released the ball just in time. He strutted stone-faced toward Dirk Nowitzki, who was waving his arms wildly as he jumped on Carter. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban joined the celebration on the court before the automatic review confirmed the obvious: The shot was good. And its one Carter said he practiced. "May 20th, Game 7," said Carter, referring to an 88-87 loss to Philadelphia in the 2001 Eastern Conference finals when he was he was the dunking sensation known as "Vinsanity" with Toronto. Carter had graduated from North Carolina earlier that day before flying on a private plane to Philadelphia. "I dont mind taking the game-winning shot," said Carter, who otherwise had a rough day before finishing with 11 points. "I dont mind missing them, and dealing with it. So I think having that mentality helps me." Monta Ellis kept the eighth-seeded Mavericks close in the fourth quarter and finished with 29 points. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points. Game 4 is Monday night in Dallas. Ginobili, who scored 12 points, dribbled out most of the last 24 seconds before going around Duncan and scoring over Samuel Dalembert for a 108-106 lead. His go-ahead shot spun around the rim and almost came out before falling in. "You never think its over, especially in here," Ginobili said. "Weve got experience on that. As long as you dont see zero zero over there, its not over." The Mavericks kept the home-court advantage they earned by taking Game 2 in San Antonio to snap a 10-game losing streak against the Spurs. And Dallas won despite the Spurs holding Nowitzki under 20 points in a third straight playoff game for the first time since they did it to him in his first post-season in 2001. The big German finished with 18. Dallas still had a chance in the closing seconds because of Ellis, who had a playoff career high that included 12 fourth-quarter points. He tied the score twice in the final 1:10, first with a three-point play on a floater after he was fouled by Boris Diaw. After Diaw put the Spurs back in front with a baseline jumper, Ellis hit another high floater in the lane with 24.9 seconds left, setting up Ginobilis dramatic shot. Tony Parker had 19 points, but just two after halftime for the Spurs. Tiago Splitter had 14 points and 13 rebounds and Kawhi Leonard awoke from a series-long slumber with 17 points, including a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. "In the second half, I didnt play," Parker said. "They were doing the same thing." Dalembert did most of his damage in the first half but still made his presence felt after halftime, finished 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks and making two free throws for a 104-all tie after rebounding a Nowitzki miss. The 32-year-old journeyman centre dove for a loose ball to get the crowd on its feet, and then knocked Leonard to the floor when the San Antonio forward was driving for a dunk. After the play, he shook his head as if to say "dont bring that in here." Referees originally called Dalembert for a flagrant foul, but reversed it on replay. Leonard missed both free throws. "When his activity is like this, hes rebounding it and hes got a presence at the rim it makes such a big difference for us," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. Calderon had 16 points, including 10 during a fast Dallas start in the first quarter. He also had nine assists. NOTES: Marion went to Chicago immediately after Dallas Game 2 win in San Antonio for the birth of his first child, a boy. He celebrated a little early with 20 points against the Spurs, the most for him in the playoffs since the 2011 NBA Finals. ... Splitters double-double was the first of his playoff career. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Vitolo-Jersey/ . The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding a news conference, so they got curious. It didnt take long for them to find out via social media that coach Randy Carlyle was coming back — with a two-year extension — and assistants Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were being let go. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Nikola-Kalinic-Jersey/ . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Jan-Oblak-Jersey/. The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Antoine-Griezmann-Jersey/ . The Italian side scored twice in a four-minute span in the second half to defeat former stars from S. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Blank-Jersey/ . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal.PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh Steelers backup tight end Michael Palmer has as many touchdowns this season as veteran Heath Miller after his one-yard score helped the Steelers to a 17-9 win over Jacksonville last weekend.Yet Palmer just laughs when asked if theres a chance he can one day catch Millers career total, currently at 41 and counting.Nah, that was only my fourth, Palmer said. (And) I was the first read on that play. One yard to go and I caught it for a touchdown. . To catch a touchdown in the NFL, its always exciting, no matter how many you have. Ill bet Heath is just as excited for each one of his.Miller, arguably the best tight end in Steelers history, isnt shocked that the little-used Palmer is making the most of his limited snaps for the Steelers (3-2), who play at Cleveland (2-2) on Sunday.He played some ball in Atlanta (2010-12), so hes been around, Miller said. Its no surprise to anyone in this locker room that hes been playing so well. But he probably told you about Atlanta and his time with (Tony) Gonzalez.When it was confirmed that Palmer did indeed mention Gonzalez, the usually reserved Miller yelled across the locker room to backup tight end Matt Spaeth to tell him the news.If I have to answer any more questions about Palmers touchdown last week, hes going to owe me, Spaeth said.When told that Palmer also mentioned the two of them, Miller didnt appear to be too impressed.Oh, at least he did that, Miller said. Do you have it on tape? Did he at least say some good things about us?PPalmer certainly paid his due respect to Miller and Spaeth, the Steelers top two tight ends.dddddddddddd And thanks to solid blocking skills and special teams play, Palmer has earned more playing time alongside those two.Part of it is that Ive been here for more than a year now, and the coaches are more comfortable with me, Palmer said. And Im more comfortable in the system, so its just up to me to take advantage of it anytime they give me an opportunity. And when all three tight ends are in there, it gives our offence a lot of options.Ben Roethlisberger obviously has confidence in Palmer, because the Steelers quarterback tried to hit him for another touchdown Sept. 21 at Carolina. The Panthers defensive back had tight coverage and appeared to deflect the pass in the end zone before it glanced off Palmers hands.One area where Palmer also has not fallen short on the Steelers is his beard. Defensive end Brett Keisel sports the ultimate in facial hair. Palmer called Keisel his beard mentor.Thats not true, Keisel said. His is coming in pretty good. Its not as good as mine, but its getting there.Just like Palmers game.Notes: Despite practicing on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, LB Ryan Shazier (right knee) has been ruled out, along with CB Ike Taylor (right forearm) and S Shamarko Thomas (hamstring). . Keisel, Miller, FS Mike Mitchell and SS Troy Polamalu a€” who were given days off this past week a€” are ready to go.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFLCheap Warriors JerseysAuthentic Cavaliers JerseysCheap Spurs StoreCeltics Jerseys OnlineCheap Bulls JerseysCheap Nets JerseysCheap Thunder JerseysCheap 76ers JerseysCheap Knicks JerseysWholesale Raptors JerseysCyber Monday Pistons JerseysWholesale Team USA Basketball JerseysCheap Celtics JerseysCheap Nets JerseysCheap Knicks JerseysCheap 76ers JerseysRaptors Jerseys From ChinaCheap Bulls JerseysCavaliers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale Pistons JerseysBucks Jerseys From ChinaPacers Jerseys OutletAuthentic Hawks JerseysCheap Hornets JerseysCheap Heat JerseysCheap Magic JerseysAuthentic Wizards JerseysCheap Nuggets JerseysTimberwolves Jerseys OutletWholesale Thunder JerseysCheap Blazers JerseysCheap Jazz JerseysDiscount Warriors JerseysWholesale Clippers JerseysWholesale Lakers JerseysCheap Suns JerseysCheap Kings JerseysDiscount Mavericks JerseysAuthentic Rockets JerseysDiscount Grizzlies JerseysCheap Pelicans JerseysSpurs Jerseys From China ' ' '