The Dallas Mavericks started Thursday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns much the same as they’ve started too many games this year and fell behind quickly by ten but had tied the game by the second quarter and trailed at halftime only by 4.

Dallas took over in the 3^rd quarter behind O. J. Mayo and Chris Kaman and Shawn Marion and opened up a 13-point lead while the Suns went cold.

Behind balanced scoring led by O. J. Mayo and Brandan Wright, playing significant minutes for the first time in several games the Mavericks ran up an 81-71 lead with 5:40 left, but the turnovers bug bit again and helped the Suns go on a 16-6 run to tie the game.   The Mavs were able to add one more basket and Phoenix couldn’t respond, leading to the final outcome of 97-94.

The Mavs have generally been victorious when O. J. Mayo is on and he led the team with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead 5 players in double figures.  Brandan Wright returned to the lineup and scored 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting to go with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.

Phoenix got a career night from Markief Morris who scored 15 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.  Luis Scola had 13 and 9 as Phoenix also had five players in double figures.

Chris Kaman and Shawn Marion both had excellent games before leaving with injuries.  Kaman sprained his ankle and Marion pulled his groin.  Both are considered minor and they will be listed as day-to-day.

The Mavericks improved to 9-10 while the Suns fell to 7-13 and have lost five in a row.

Full analysis and breakdown coming up on The Smoking Cuban.

The game was won by the Dallas.

I’m reluctant to say Dallas Mavericks due to for one night, I saw a different team. I saw a team physical on both ends of the court. Use of some well-times zones, physical man-to-man defense, owning the paint with blocked shots and boxing out, Dallas provided a fun team to watch.

The American Airlines Center crowd cheered and screamed. They rose to their feet, and gave standing ovations. Yet the feeling I felt was “let’s not get too excited too quickly.”

Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood showed glimpse of what the Mavericks were so excited about. Butler provides match up problems with his ability to play both the 2 and 3 positions. Butler can post up a smaller guard or take a taller guy away from the basket and shoot open jump shots.

Haywood was a question mark, but was forced into the lineup due to Dampier’s injury. He played fearless and physical. He blocked shots and grabbed rebounds. He took up space in the lane.

Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points, blocked 3 shots, and grabbed 14 rebounds. Quite possibly putting his skills on display for a contending team to pull the trigger and trade for Stoudemire. Yet Stoudemire was unable to beat this team by himself.

That wasn’t always the case.

Caron Butler was smiling and playful. The official unveiling was over; he is now able to get familiar with the Mavericks offense and schemes. “Jersey feels comfortable” he said with a big grin on his face.

Mavericks won a big game against a team in the midst of the playoff push. Kobe Bryant was adamant that this trade was huge for the Mavericks and put them in the championship picture.

Last night at the AA Center, the Mavericks looked like a Finals team.

Looks can be deceiving though.