Message: Sent.
The Mavs’ 110-96 romp in Memphis was their biggest win of the season. Not just because of what it did, but because of how it was accomplished.
Dallas survived early uncanny shooting by the Grizzlies and then dominated the second half. As needs to be, Samuel Dalembert was active and energetic and the Mavs were aggressive on offense. They scored 110 points on a stingy defensive team that hadn’t allowed more than 90 in almost a month.
The Mavs solidified their hold on the 8th spot in the Western Conference and served notice – with an exclamation point – that they are not, in fact, the same team that last year had to grow Rip Van Winkle beards just to get to .500. When Monta Ellis is attacking and Dalembert is awake, this team can score with the best offenses in the NBA. Last night they scored 56 points in the paint against a defense that usually allows around 30.
The win should be a vault for future success as well.
With a three-game winning streak, the Mavs should push it to six if they take of business against lowly, losing teams like Utah, Boston and Charlotte.
Last night was a rare statement game in February. And the Mavs answered with resounding positivity.
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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.
