When you get a break from resurrecting the Cowboys, take a minute to not bury the Mavericks either.
On the brink of a 2-8 start Monday night, the Mavericks last night beat the Rockets in Houston for their third consecutive victory. Even better: Tomorrow night they’ll get their first home win of the season and improve to 6-7 as the Memphis Grizzlies slink into AAC.
Trailing the Knicks 112-105 with 2:28 remaining on Monday, things looked bleak. But out of nowhere, the Mavs scored the last seven points of regulation and the first eight of OT to snatch an improbable victory. Not to say the light bulb suddenly flickered on, but since then Rick Carlisle’s team has played harder, smarter, better.
A 15-0 start in Charlotte Tuesday was followed by a 13-4 beginning last night. Playing without Josh Howard (ankle) and with supposed veteran leaders Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George currently out of the mix and out of uniform, the Mavs got a season-high 31 points from Jason Terry including a 3-pointer and a driving layup to clinch it in the final 90 seconds.
To me the difference is that Jason Kidd is effectively pushing the pace, setting up easy baskets in transition. Erick Dampier is playing inspired. Gerald Green may be a player yet. Dirk is Dirk. And I guess you have to credit the defense at some point. The Mavs smothered New York into only two points in OT, prompted 23 consecutive missed shots through the start in Charlotte and last night held the Rockets to a season-low 37-percent shooting.
I’ve said all along I think these Mavs will ultimately be a decent, playoff team.
This three-game winning streak on the road do anything for you? – Richie Whitt
