A win is a win and they all count the same, but you can only feel so much when you beat the Philadelphia 76ers. While they aren’t the complete joke that they were to begin the year, the Sixers are still rolling out a roster that features some nice young players, perhaps a league average role player and then it’s all bottomed out as they hope to pick first in June’s NBA Draft.
Even with that said, the Mavericks –losers of five of six– really needed a win and they got it at home vs. Philly on Sunday night.
The Mavs had lost back to back Overtime games to Utah and Orlando (and had played three straight overtime games dating back to their win at Memphis over two weeks ago) so finding a resolution in regulation was a welcome sight, as well as the expected one against the 8-47 76ers.
Wesley Matthews feasted on a hapless opponent, often guarded by Nik Stauskas. Wes had 21 points making 8 of 12 shots. Deron Williams had 15 points and 8 assists, Chandler Parsons had 15 points and made 7-7 from the Free Throw line, easily his best performance from the charity stripe in 2015-2016. Parsons hadn’t shot and made that many free throws all season without missing one.
Five of Dirk Nowitzki‘s six field goals were of the three point variety, and he passed 29,000 points Sunday.
Every Maverick played and scored as they routed Philadelphia 129-103.
For the rebuilding (to say the least) 76ers, impressive rookie (on the court) Jahlil Okafor had 31 points, including a whopping 18 in the first quarter. The other of the Sixers three young big men that actually plays (Joel Embiid has not played yet in his career) wasn’t nearly as impressive. Nerlens Noel had more fouls (5) than points (4).
The Mavericks beat the Sixers for the seventh straight time. Dallas scored a season-high 66 first half points and closed the first half on a 31-11 run, putting the game to rest as regularly scheduled.
Devin Harris returned to the lineup after missing ten games over nearly a month. The Mavs finished the game 34 of 36 at the line and will get a much needed chance for a home win against a good team Wednesday night when Oklahoma City comes to Dallas.
David Lee, who officially signed with the Mavericks literally as I typed this very sentence, should be in attendance and hopefully suited up before long as Salah Mejri, Dwight Powell and JaVale McGee continue to split backup big minutes.
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