|
 "This was a mature win for us," Mavericks small forward Chandler
Parsons said. "We haven't had many of these games where we could
blowout a team. We've gotten big leads, but we let the team get back
in. This was huge for us."
Parsons scored 29, and the Mavericks pulled away early and pounded
the Wolves 128-101 at American Airlines Center.
Dallas (32-28) remained tied with the Portland Trail Blazers for
sixth place in the Western Conference. The Mavericks improved to 2-1
halfway through their season-high, six-game homestand after
recording their largest margin of victory this season.
The Mavericks understand that taking care of bottom-feeders such as
Minnesota is key to staying in the playoff race.
"It's so competitive that every single game matters as we finish the
season," Parsons said.
He hit 10 of 15 shots, including four of seven 3-pointers, in 27
minutes. Parsons grabbed six rebounds and dished four assists
despite sitting out the fourth quarter with the Mavericks
comfortably ahead.
Dallas shooting guard Wesley Matthews hit three 3-pointers and
scored 15 points. Power forward Dirk Nowitzki had 10 points -- all
in the first quarter -- and guard Deron Williams added 10 points and
nine assists.
Three Mavericks reserves scored in double digits -- forward David
Lee (13), guard J.J. Barea (12) and guard Justin Anderson (10). Lee
also had nine boards.
The Mavericks shot 52.8 percent.
The Timberwolves, undermanned due to a rash of injuries and recently
waiving veteran guard Andre Miller, dropped to 19-41 overall, 0-3
against Dallas this season. Minnesota, playing on the second half of
a back-to-back, is 9-21 on the road.
"There's nobody in that locker room right now that we can rest,"
Wolves coach Sam Mitchell said.
Small forward Shabazz Muhammad led the Wolves with 24 points off the
bench. Rookie of the Year favorite Karl-Anthony Towns had 12 points
and 11 rebounds for his 34th double-double.
Minnesota shooting guard Andrew Wiggins scored 15, point guard Ricky
Rubio had 10 points and five assists, and shooting guard Zach LaVine
scored 10 and had nine rebounds.
Towns was the only Minnesota starter to hit at least half of his
shots. The Wolves shot 37.8 percent as a team.
[to top of second column] |
"Well, we're tired," Mitchell said. "Couldn't make free throws, we
just were a step slow tonight, we're just tired. We've got nine
guys. We've been playing (Gorgui Dieng) and (Towns) and Andrew and
Zach, Ricky -- we're playing these guys 38-minutes a night. We've
got to get some help."
The Mavericks opened with their usual starting lineup, which
included center Zaza Pachulia, despite going small in the second
half and overtime of Friday's comeback win over Denver. Pachulia
played only eight first-half minutes against the Nuggets.
Dallas' starters were on point, and the Mavericks raced out to a
double-figure lead five minutes into the game. The Mavericks were up
20 late in the first quarter and never trailed.
"The key to the game was the starters getting off to a great start
in the beginning of the game and the beginning of the second half,"
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "Parsons had a huge impact game
offensively, which carried us once Dirk got in foul trouble. We went
to him a lot and he delivered."
Parsons had a string of 13 consecutive points in the third quarter,
as Dallas went up 25 going into the fourth.
Dallas gets another sub-.500 squad Tuesday night with the Orlando
Magic coming to town. The Wolves return to Minneapolis for a
Wednesday game against the Washington Wizards before hitting the
road again.
NOTES: Dallas owner Mark Cuban recently suggested the league should
consider moving back the 3-point line. Asked before the game how
that may impact Golden State PG Steph Curry, Cuban replied: "It
makes guys like that more valuable, not less." ... Minnesota
continues to work on a buyout of SG Kevin Martin's contract,
according to reports. Martin must be waived by Tuesday to be
eligible for the playoffs with another team. ... The Mavericks, tied
for sixth with Portland in the West playoff standings entering
Sunday, have a goal when it comes to positioning. "We're trying to
get that fifth seed, make a run here and be playing the best
basketball we have down the stretch," Parsons said.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
