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By the Numbers: Mavericks Hold On to Defeat Suns

By Jay Knodell

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The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Phoenix Suns 107-104 last night, eliminating Phoenix from playoff contention and collecting their 47th win of the season. The 7th-seed is locked up for the Mavericks, and now they turn their attention to stringing together some wins before postseason play and getting to the 50-win mark in the process.

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There wasn’t a whole lot of defense being played, especially in the first half. Dallas shot 58% from the field in the game’s first two quarters but TRAILED by four heading into the locker room. Both teams clamped down a bit more in the second half, but the lack of defense from both high scoring squads helps explain their circumstances.

Let’s take a look at some other interesting numbers from the game.

23: Tyson Chandler collected an astounding 23 rebounds against the Suns. It was his second highest total of the season. He’s had double-digit boards in 7 of his last 9 games and is averaging 13 a game in his last five. For Dallas to make any noise in the playoffs Chandler will need to keep up that type of production on the glass.

5: Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 points on 7-15 shooting. It’s his fifth straight game with at least 18 points, extending his longest streak of the season. Is there anything more hope-inspiring than Nowitzki finding his touch just in time for the playoffs? He’s shooting 47% from the floor and almost 54% from long range in his last five games. And he hit a clutch three-pointer late in the game, too, as you’ll see below. The Mavericks have added some pieces around him but with Chandler Parsons‘ health a mystery Dallas will rely on Dirk as much as ever during postseason play. Here’s hoping he can sustain that shooting.

30: The Mavericks had to survive a season-high 30 points from Gerald Green to get the win. It seems like Dallas surrenders a big game to role players each time out, especially to former-Mavericks. They’ll have enough opposing star power to worry about in the playoffs that they can’t afford for role players to take over.

10: Amar’e Stoudemire scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting against the Suns. He’s reached double-digits in his last five games and has shot 70% from the floor in four April games. His ability to score in the low post gives the Mavericks a weapon they haven’t had in a while, and though his defense isn’t anything to write home about Rick Carlisle might want to consider giving the mid-season pickup a little more run.

Play of the Game: Richard Jefferson isn’t the high-flyer he once was, but even as he approaches 35 years of age he will occasionally turn back the clock to put someone on a poster. In this case it was former-Maverick Brandan Wright. Check it out.

Next: 5 Under the Radar Free Agents the Mavericks Should Consider

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