Mavericks 101 Suns 98: Game 81 Review

Headline
PLAYOFF BOUND
Ellis, Nowitzki lead Mavs comeback to clinch playoff return.

Leaders

Mavs
Points: Ellis, 37
Rebounds: Wright, 11
Assists: Harris, 6
+-: Harris, +13
Suns
Points: Bledsoe, 29
Rebounds: Green, 7
Assists: Bledsoe, 6
+-: Frye, +11

Game Ball
Monta Ellis
37 pts., 4 rbs., 5 ast., 15-23 FG

X-Factor
Brandan Wright
12 pts., 11 rbs., 3 blk., 5-8 FG

Goat
Gerald Green
9 pts., 2-9 FG, -11

Play of the Game
Brandan Wright's block of Eric Bledsoe's layup with the Mavs clinging to a 2 point lead with 13 seconds to go.

Stat of the Game
Monta Ellis (23) and Dirk Nowitzki (21) combine for 44 of the Mavericks' 55 second half points as Dallas overcame an 11 point hafltime deficit.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: A
Marion: B+
Dalembert: B
Ellis: A+
Calderon: C-
Wright: A
Harris: A-
Carter: C+
Larkin: A-

Additonal Notes
The Mavs clinched a playoff spot for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Only the Spurs have made the playoffs more in that timeframe.
Ellis' 37 points tied a season high. He also scored 37 on Nov. 20 against Houston.
Dallas finished the relgular season 26-15 at home.
Vince Carter passed Adrian Dantley for 25th on the NBA all-time scoring list. He currently has 23,181 career points.

Quote of Note
"He’s a rise-to-the-moment player. He’s been that really all year. He’s had a lot of huge games for us. He’s a great competitor."
Rick Carlisle on Monta.

Next Up
The Mavericks (49-32) close out the regular season in Memphis against the Grizzlies (47-32), who are fighting for their playoff lives. Any Memphis loss in their last 3 games clinches the 7 seed for the Mavs.