The nation’s capital hosted a fantastic game in what ended to be the Mavs best win of the season. It was a back and forth contest with the Mavs getting a couple of late game stops and huge baskets by Dirk Nowitzki and J.J. Barea to win 105-102 over the Washington Wizards. The win vaulted the Mavs to a 9-3 record and dropped the Wizards to 7-3.
Tonight was Bradley Beal’s first game back and the first time the new Wizards starting five was intact. Beal’s season debut was anything but rusty as it ended up being a shooting guard clinic. Beal finished with 21 points in 26 minutes. However, Beal’s great debut to the season was outdone by today’s player of the game, Monta Ellis. Ellis finished with 34 points, shooting an efficient 10-21 from the field and 12-14 from the free throw line.
J.J. Barea and Dirk dominated the end of the fourth quarter to secure the win. J.J. Barea, who saw extended minutes with Devin Harris out, had a total of 14 points and 6 assists with 10 points and 4 assists coming in the fourth quarter. Brandan Wright also had a fantastic game which included multiple highlight reel dunks. Dirk Nowitzki went down and had to get his ankle re-taped. This could have been worrisome but Wright stepped up immensely. He ended the game with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Tyson Chandler performed at a level that also could not be ignored. At time it’s easy to look past the impact a great center has on the game for some but not for us Mavs fans. It’s unbelievable to watch this team’s interior defense from the conundrum that was last year’s D and the presence that Tyson Chandler has. He ended with 16 boards and 3 blocks.
Overall this was a great team win led by Monta Ellis on the road. These kind of games are the ones that define a team and we should be able to take great deal away from.
Up Next: The Lakers on Friday and the Houston Rockets Saturday.
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