Mavericks End Losing Skid, Beat the Magic 114-99

DALLAS – – The Dallas Mavericks rebounded literally and metaphorically to halt a 3-game losing skid.  Yogi Ferrell and Dennis Smith Jr. were aggressive on the boards and collected eight and seven rebounds respectively. This allowed the Mavs to finish its 4-game homestand with a win over the visiting Orlando Magic.

They say there is no place like home, but the American Airlines Center has not been kind to the Dallas Mavericks lately. The Mavericks dropped three straight games at home to start 0-3 in a 4-game home stand. However, the Mavericks were able to get a win over the Orlando Magic before starting a road trip.

Rebounding was key for the Mavs in the win. Ferrell and Smith led the Mavs in rebounding. “Me and Yogi run (after rebounding),” Smith said in an interview with ESPN. “We find each other on the break pretty well, and when we can get into the paint it opens up the floor for everybody.”

The duo’s aggressive rebounding helped the Mavs on the offensive side of the ball, as several Mavs scored in double-figures. Nowitzki and Smith each scored 20 points to lead the Mavs. Also, Matthews scored 16 and Ferrell and Barnes each added 15 points apiece.

Nowitzki had a perfect night at the free throw line (7-7), which means he is tied with Jerry West for the sixth-most free throws in league history with 7,160. If Nowitzki wants to reach fifth place, he will have to get to 7,327. A number that will be good enough to tie Michael Jordan’s career total.

Another positive aspect of last night’s victory is that it continued a long term trend of success over the Orlando Magic.  Interestingly, the Mavs have not lost a season series to the Magic since the season of 1997-1998.

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The Dallas Mavericks will travel to Charlotte for a match-up on Wednesday night, and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.