How refreshing! The Mavericks finally played with the energy and passion NBA teams thrive off of. The crowd of 19,974 followed the Mavs every move also. It all led to a 107-97 win over the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center- a victory the Mavericks desperately needed.
Despite a slow start, the Mavs capitalized on a dry spell from the Suns and went on an 11-0 run and a 28-23 lead to end the first 12 minutes. Dallas also scored the first point of the second quarter and was in front the rest of the way.
The Mavs put forth a balanced attack against the Sun’s offense with six players, including all five starters in double figures. Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his 28 points in the first, and Shawn Marion recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mavs also did their job to halt Phoenix’s scoring production, allowing the Suns to go just 5 for 22 on 3-pointers and 1 for 14 in the first half while the Mavs made 5 3’s in just 15 attempts for the game. Jason Kidd bucketed four shots from long range and is shooting 41.9 percent on 3’s for the season. Second in the league, the Sun’s make 40.4 percent of their 3’s.
Steve Nash, back in Dallas for the second time in five days, looked like he was still recovering from his whirlwind weekend. He finished 1 for 7 on 3-pointers and 4 of 13 from the field. After serving as a torch bearer at Friday’s Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver, Nash won the All-Star Skills Challenge in Dallas on Saturday.
Fourth in the NBA in blocks with 2.1 per game, Brendan Haywood stopped one of Nash’s 3-point attempts. He also had at least four dunks for the game.
On the injury front, Erick Dampier, who has battled a knee injury most of the season, suffered an open dislocation to his right middle finger in the final minutes of Tuesday’s forgettable loss to the Thunder. An open dislocation breaks the skin, reveals the bone and requires surgery, according to Wednesday’s Mavericks broadcast. Dampier might be out for a month, and the newly-acquired Haywood will step in during his absence.
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