MyDallasMavs: Mavs Blowout the Suns and Tie the Lakers for Second Seed

The Mavericks entered the first game of what was their final back-to-back of the season vs the Phoenix Suns. Dallas continued to battle for 2nd seed with the Lakers, and were looking to win this game and get a season series sweep of the Suns. Not only did the Mavs beat the suns, but they led from the first minute of the game and held onto that lead the entire game, blowing them out 115-90.

Jason Kidd returned to this game after resting for two days for the playoffs and Steve Nash played despite his minor hamstring injury.

The Mavs' offense took off from the opening tip-off, as Kidd ran the floor while Dirk and Marion helped lead them to a 17-4 start. Chandler also did what he does best inside defensively, while Terry scored off the bench, all contributing to the Mavs' highest-scoring first quarter of the season as they took a 36-17 lead to end the first.

Early on in the second quarter, Peja and Terry hit back-to-back 3-pointers to hold onto the large Mavs' lead. With great team effort, easy baskets, and great passes, the Mavs' were up by as much as 28. The momentum was completely shifted the Mavs way as they took their largest halftime lead of the season, 65-39 to end the second quarter.

With Dirk's 15 first-half points and Marion's 12, the Mavs outshot the Suns 52% to 39%. They also out-rebounded Phoenix 26-17, thanks to Chandler's 10 rebounds.

The Mavs' momentum died down in the third quarter as the Suns opened it up on a 9-2 run. At this point, Chandler and Roddy were both in deep foul trouble with four each, as Carlisle sat them and put in his bench. Despite the Suns' run, the Mavs still held on to the lead and continued to hold on to it throughout the quarter, ending it with an 80-60 lead.

However, the Suns would continue to fight back in the fourth quarter but a comeback was not in their future as Terry and JJ sunk in baskets to keep Phoenix down. During this quarter, Terry sunk his 1,000th 3-pointer as a Maverick. That wasn't the last 3-pointer of the game, as Terry, Peja, and Cardinal continued to swish in a few more towards the end of the game to win it, 115-90.

The Mavs outshot the Suns 51% to 43% and out-rebounded them 51-37. The Mavs' bench scored 62 points and they are now 5-1 this season when their bench scores at least 60 points.

Dirk led the team with 19 points and 7 rebounds while Marion had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Terry and Peja both pitched in 17 while Barea added 15 of his own. Kidd ended with 7 points and 7 assists while although Haywood racked up just 5 points, he managed to get 11 rebounds.

Gortat led the Suns with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Dudley and Warrick both added 11 points.

With this win, the Mavs claimed their first four-game season series sweep of the Suns since the 87'-88' season. They are also now tied with the Lakers for second seed.

"There are two more games left, and we want to keep some momentum going in a positive way," Carlisle said.

The Mavs set off to Houston to play the second game of their last back-to-back against the Rockets on Monday night. The Mavs lead that season series 3-0.