It took until Game No. 42, but there it is. Better late than never, the Mavericks have their signature victory.
Dirk Nowitzki scored, Tyson Chandler rebounded and Rajon Rondo defended as Dallas finally beat a full-strength, playoff-bound Western Conference team.
It was game with playoff intensity, and the grind-it-out 103-95 against the grind-happy Memphis Grizzlies proved what we all thought we knew – that these Mavs have the potential to be an elite team.
That potential began being realized last night in Memphis.
“We knew we had a long way to go as a team,” head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after the game. “This is a beginning. We by no means have it figured out. This is a team that's relatively new to each other. The only way we're really going to come together is to go through struggles like today and grow together. This was a great opportunity.”
When Grizzlies’ point guard Mike Conley hit a 3-pointer to put Memphis ahead with four minutes remaining, it appeared the Mavs would fall to 1-9 against the West’s best with the lone win coming against the Spurs’ D-League team. But Dallas responded with Chandler harassing Zach Randolph and with Dirk scoring eight points in the final two minutes to spark a 14-4 kick to the finish line.
You win a game in Memphis, where the Grizzlies were 16-4, and you’re in the conversation. Welcome to the party, Mavericks.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
