Mavericks 103 Jazz 93: Game 13 Review

What started out as a route against the NBA's worst team, became a lead that was too close for comfort in the fourth quarter. It was then that the Mavericks did what good teams should do when inferior teams make a run against them. They closed out the game by pushing the lead back into double figures and improved their home unbeaten streak to 7 to begin the season, with a 103-93 victory over the Utah Jazz.

The Mavs wanted to avoid the lackluster start they got off too when they played a inferior Philly squad on Monday, and boy did they. They dominated the game on both ends of the floor in the first half building a lead that reached 28 in the second quarter. As they entered the locker room 58-34 at halftime they probably thought it would be an easy second half from there, with the starters getting a lot of rest. To Utah's credit they fought back and started making just about every shot from the field, and closed the lead to only 5 with less than 5 minutes to go. A Jose Calderon 3 and Dirk Nowitzki 3 point play helped turn the tide back in the Mavs favor, and although they spent more energy they would have liked, they were able to put their 4th straight game overall in the win column.

Once again leading the offensive charge was Monta Ellis who with 26 points, extended his streak of 18+ scoring games to begin the season to 13. Dirk added 18 points despite only shooting 5-14 from the field although he did make all seven of his free throws. The big difference for the Mavericks came at the center position where the duo of Samuel Dalembert and Dejuan Blair combined for 29 points and 21 rebounds, going 13-17 from the field. Dalembert played his best game as a Mav, making all 8 of his shots on his way to a line of 18 points, 12 boards and 2 blocks. Shawn Marion also reached double figures with 10 points.

Utah was able to get back in the game due to its strong bench play as they shot nearly 60 percent in the 2nd half. Marvin Williams led the Jazz in scoring with 19, but Utah got outstanding play from the unheralded combo of Diante Garrett (7 pts., 8 ast., 3-3 FG) and former dunk contest winner Jeremy Evans (14 points, 7-7 FG).

Sure the game got a lot closer than it should of been, but that can happen in the NBA even against the worst teams in the league. The Mavs hopefully will be able to put away teams easier in the future, but that is a good problem to have. In the last two games the Mavs have shown they come back from a big deficit and get out to a big lead. If they can improve on that and play a more complete 48 minutes, watch out.

Team Leaders
Points: Ellis, 26
Rebounds: Dalembert, 12
Assists: Ellis, 6

Player of the Game: Dalmebert

Play of the Game: Calderon 3 that gave the Mavs an 8 point lead with 4 1/2 minutes to go.

Stat of the Game: Samuel Dalembert (8-8) and Jeremy Evans (7-7) go perfect from the field.

Quote of Note:  ''Those guys have been doing good things all year. I am not shocked by it.''
Rick Carlisle on his center combo of Dalembert and Blair

Next Up: The Mavericks (9-4) travel to Denver (5-6) Saturday, to play the road end of a home-and-home with the Nuggets at 8:00.