Player of the Game: Suns at Mavericks (Poll)

Oh how sweet it is.

Your Dallas Mavericks clinched a playoff birth last night with a 101-98 victory over the talented and feisty Phoenix Suns, making it their 13 playoff appearance in the last 14 years.

This hard fought win happened because of a great night from the “Batman and Robin” duo that is Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis, as well as a very timely block from Mavs big man Brandan Wright, despite a valient effort from the likes of the Suns Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, and sharpshooter Channing Frye.

The Candidates

Monta Ellis: Monta “Have it All” Ellis had one his most efficient performances as a member of the Dallas Mavericks last night, as he went for 37 points on 15-23 from the floor while playing a team high 43 minutes. He dominated all night, including a vital 11 point third quarter in which he nailed three triples.

Dirk Nowitzki: Dirk just Dirked again last night like he’s been Dirking all season.  The Big German went for 23 last night on 8-15 shooting, and combined with Ellis, the two hit 5 3’s between them in less than four minutes that helped erase most of a 13 point Phoenix lead at the time. He’s just so ReDirkulous.

Brandan Wright: Oh Brandan Wright, you high-flying always active sonofagun. Wright had an extremely balanced game, in which he chipped in 12 points and a surprising 11 boards. I think we all know his biggest contribution to the win last night, though. Bledsoe came around a high screen after getting past Jae Crowder and Shawn Marion, put up a shot that looked good trajectory wise, only to have it swatted away at the last possible moment by one Brandan Wright. This saved Dallas from what would have been  a one-point game with a little more than 12 seconds left.

Eric Bledsoe: Eric Bledsoe led his squad with 29 points and 4 steals and 7 dimes. He seemed to get to them rim against the Mavericks backcourt with ease, gliding there time and time again. If it wasn’t for him, the Mavs would have probably handled this game pretty easily.

Channing Frye: Frye did most of his damage early on, but he put together a great effort with 21 points on 5-6 from downtown, while aslo posting a +11 in the +/- department. He lit it up from behind the arc all night, and helped Phoenix build their early lead.

Verdict

In a tough race, I say that Monta beats out the rest of the candidates because of the fact he was a minutes-warrior and his 35 points. I think this quote by Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle truly shows how important Ellis was in the win last night, “The reason we won is because we had one of the best players on the planet in Dirk. And because Monta Ellis, at the time we needed him most, stepped up and played his biggest game of the year.”This says a whole lot.

It’s Playoff time in Dallas again!