MyDallasMavs: Mavs Fall Short to the Warriors, 99-92 and Lose 2nd Straight

The Mavericks entered ORACLE Arena on Saturday night hoping to bounce back from their worst loss of the season vs the Lakers, and get a four-game season series sweep against the Golden State Warriors. But this was easier said than done as the Mavs fell short to the Warriors 99-92, losing their second straight game.

Carlisle made a switch up in the lineup, starting Stevenson-who hasn't started since their last time facing the Warriors, and benching Marion-after starting the last five games straight.

The Mavericks began with a good start to the first quarter as Dirk led them to an 8-0 run. However, Ellis put the Warriors back in the game, but the Mavs still held onto the 29-28 lead to end the first quarter. Dirk and Terry combined to score 14 points in the first quarter, but Ellis alone scored 11.

The Mavericks began the second quarter with four straight scores, leading to an 11-0 run as they went up by as much as 10 points. But once again, the Warriors came back and Ellis hit a 3-pointer to put them ahead 45-44. However, the Mavericks didn't let the Warriors pull away and held on to 50-48 lead going into halftime.

Although the Mavs' hit one of nine 3-pointers, they still outshot the Warriors 48.8% to 45.5% in the first half.

Ellis had 14 points in the first half and David Lee added 10, while Dirk had 11 and the trio of Terry, Marion and Barea added 24.

Carlisle made another switch in the lineup before the third quarter, sitting Roddy in favor of Barea. The Mavs continued to have an off-shooting night from beyond the arch as the Warriors took a lead as large as 11 points. Dallas went 3 for 19 to this point and were not able to attack from inside. But the Mavs didn't let the Warriors pull away as they cut the deficit to 72-67 to end the third quarter. Ellis alone outscored Dallas as a whole 18-17 in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter didn't start well for Dallas as Al Thornton became hot and the Warriors started to get every loose ball, disallowing the Mavs from coming back after Golden State pushed their lead to 12. Off the bench, Terry, Marion and Barea cut the deficit to three, 91-88 with just under 3 minutes remaining, leading to a 13-4 run. Curry then ended the Mavs' momentum with a 3-pointers with 2 minutes to go, extending Golden State's lead to 6. The Warriors stepped up their defense as Marion missed two shots in the last minute of the game, and Thornton put the Warriors up by 7 with 21 seconds to go. The Warriors held onto the lead and won it 99-92.

Marion led the team with 21 points and had a season-high 3 blocks. Terry added 17 points while Dirk had 16, Barea had 13, and Chandler had 12 to make it five Mavs' in double-figures. Barea had a game-high 11 assists.

Ellis led the Warriors with 32 points, hitting one less three than the Mavs' did as a team. David Lee added 16 points, Wright had 13, and Curry and Thornton both had 12.

Despite the loss, Dallas' bench outscored Golden State's 56-26. The Mavs' went 5 of 25 from beyond the arch, and the Warriors outshot the Mavs 44.9% to 41.1% while both teams had 43 rebounds.

Next, the Mavs move on to play their last game of their 6-game road trip as they face the Portland Trailblazers.