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. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . 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. Wholesale Mets Jerseys . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. Fake Mets Jerseys . -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced in a limited capacity Friday, a positive sign he might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . Then youve got to worry about the other up and coming teams in the two weaker divisions in the "Junior Circuit". Blaine Gabbert is out of excuses. The 23-year-old QB will enter the year with two huge talents bookending his protection unit up from; a trio of receiving threats in Marcedes Lewis, Cecil Shorts, and Justin Blackmon (although Blackmon will miss the first four games of the year to suspension); and a top running back to take the pressure off the running game. Gabbert will have the opportunity to be successful in 2013, which is of course only if he beats out Chad Henne and wins the opportunity to be successful this season. There isnt a ton of reaasons to think Jacksonville will make a marked improvement on their 2-14 campaign of a year ago. New York Mets Store. Bradley could be an improvement over one-and-done Mike Mularky, the light could go on for Gabbert (or Henne), and the defence could make strides with the new personnel. And while all three of these things should happen to an extent, its unlikely they will enough to make the Jaguars a player in the AFC South this season. Go to TSN.ca/NFL to read more on the Jacksonville Jaguars and for full previews of all 32 NFL teams. ' ' '