This is why we watch sports.
Because you never know — even on the heels of the worst — when you’re going to see the best.
The Mavs appropriately flushed and forgot, then went out and held the Indiana Pacers to 73 points less than 24 hours after surrendering a gaudy 114 to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats. The Pacers had the best record in the Eastern Conference. They were an NBA-best 25-2 at home. Dirk Nowitzki was limping with a sprained ankle from Tuesday. Devin Harris was a no-show because of injuries. And …
Somehow it all added up to Dallas’ signature victory of the season.
Shawn Marion bottled up Pacers’ star Paul George. Nowitzki resisted the temptation to engage in immature, dirty play with instigator David West. And Monta Ellis capped his night by sealing the deal via nine of 10 free throws down the stretch.
You can say it was defense. But I say it was focus. Admit it, the Mavs so didn’t respect the Bobcats that they peeked ahead to the Pacers, and it bit them.
Tuesday the Mavs learned a lesson. But Wednesday they won more than a game.
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After one of their worst losses of the season, it’s by far their best win.
That’s why we watch sports.
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 writes a sports/guy stuff blog at DFWSportatorium.com and lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
