If Jason and the Mavericks could get a full head of steam going earlier in games, they might be even better than 20-13.
In their win against the Philadelphia 76ers (13-20) Dallas scored just 16 points in the first quarter.
With only 40 points in the first half, Dallas matched their first-half season low.
The Mavs came back strong in the fourth quarter behind Nowitzki and Jason Terry to win 96-86. Jason had 5 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in the win.
UPHILL BATTLE
Last night in Memphis things were just as lethargic, but No. 2 couldn’t help Dallas get the ball moving.
Fortunately, Dallas learned a little from their 16-point first quarter against the Sixers, scoring 25 in the first 12 minutes against the Grizzlies last night. However, the fourth quarter mirrored their slow start — Dallas tallied just 14-points.
The Mavs lost the uphill battle, 102-82, with Jason scoring just one point, with 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Jason spoke to the Star-Telegram after the game:
“Dirk and Jet [Terry] have been doing it all season for us, but we couldn’t get anybody else involved.”
Jason quoted by the Dallas Morning News:
“When we win games, it’s because of our defense, and tonight we were a no-show. Defensively, we were terrible. Offensively, we weren’t that good either.”
Eddie Sefko of the DMN said it best:
“Another sluggish start: It’s like clockwork now. The Mavericks never seem to be happy unless they are fighting uphill against a double-digit deficit at some point in a game.”
NEXT UP
Tomorrow night Dallas will battle the Clippers at home at 7:30pm.
RELATED ARTICLES
Nowitzki, Terry lift Mavericks over 76ers (NBA.com, Jan. 2nd, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20090102/PHIDAL/recap.html
Dallas Mavericks fizzle in loss to Grizzlies, 102-82 (Dallas Morning News, Jan. 5th, 2009)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/010509dnspomavslede.3b414717.html
Grizzlies end losing streak against Dallas Mavericks (Star-Telegram, Jan. 5th, 2009)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1122941.html