Mavericks 91 Bucks 83: Game 7 Review

It's impossible to call the seventh game of the season a must win game. And there's a reason for that as there is still a large majority of the season to go. There are games however that a potential playoff team needs to win, especially when it has dropped its first three games on the road. Saturday's game in Milwaukee was one of those games the Mavs needed to take, and they did as Dallas capped off a 4 games in 5 night stretch with 91-83 victory over the Bucks.

The Mavericks played a great first half against an inferior and injury-plagued opponent. They shot the ball extremely well and played good defense to build a 15 point lead at both the end of the first period and at halftime. Jose Calderon hit three first quarter 3s that accounted for all nine points he scored in the game. Monta Ellis played a very good first half in his return to Milwaukee scoring 14 of his 18 points.
The third quarter was a different story however as the Mavs began to look like a team playing the fourth game in five nights. They only managed 13 points and saw their lead of 15 be cut to only 4.
Thankfully the Mavs turned things around in the 4th by out-executing the Bucks in the team's first true crunch time action of the year. A key jumper from Dirk, who was only 5-15 from the field for 16 points, extended the lead to 6 with less than 2 minutes to go and the Mavs were able to get enough defensive stops from there.
The Mavs got a double-double from Shawn Marion (14 points and 10 rebounds) and another strong game off the bench from Dejuan Blair who besides scoring 7 points had 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Vince Carter came back from his one game suspension to add 13 points off the bench.
The Mavericks definitely played one of their best defensive games of the year holding Milwaukee to only 83 points on 38% shooting. Former Mav O.J. Mayo led the bucks with 28 points but committed 5 key fourth quarter turnovers and reminded Mavs fans of his struggles in crunch time last season.
It might not have been an artistic masterpiece, especially in the second half, but the Mavs got their much needed road win, and won the type of game they will need to win all year. By beating lesser teams, especially on the road the Mavs will make it much easier on themselves as they try to make the playoffs in a tough Western Conference.

Team Leaders
Points: Ellis, 18
Rebounds: Blair, 11
Assists: Ellis,5
Player of the Game: Ellis

Stat of the Game: The Mavs won their second game of the year when shooting less than 45% from the field. They were only 3-29 when that happened last year.

Quote of Note: ''When I laced up here, I did everything I could to help this team win. The fans, they're going to feel the way they feel anyway.'' Monta Ellis on getting booed by the Milwaukee fans.

Up next: The Mavericks (4-3) get two much needed days off before returning to action Tuesday night at the AAC against John Wall and the Washington Wizards (2-3).