Dallas Mavericks at Home, Take on Phoenix Suns

The Dallas Mavericks look to extend their home win streak to two (2), having previously beaten the Portland Blazers on Wednesday. Now taking on Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns on Friday at home. The Suns having a record of 12-12 (5-7 away) and the Mavericks having a record of 20-5 (12-4 home).

The game started out fast-paced and strong running from both teams. The Suns were looking for an edge pushing up the court with Nash's quick passes trying to create good looks at the basket. Unfortunately for the Suns, Nash was diving for a loose ball and caught an elbow to the back of the head about four minutes into the game. He stayed on the floor for a couple of minutes and headed straight to locker room after getting to his feet. ESPN reporters declared that Nash was feeling tingling and numbness in his arm and leg, so he stayed in the locker room with a "stinger" for the rest of the game.

Even with Nash out for most of the first quarter, the Suns managed to keep a lead at the end of the first. It was 25-22 at the end of the first. Goran Dragic led the Suns with scoring off of the bench. Dragic had 10 points to lead the Suns for the first half.

The Suns could not maintain with the Mavericks in the second quarter. The Mavericks outscored the Suns 32-17 in just the second quarter. Shawn Marion and Jason Terry led the Mavericks off the bench with a combined total of 31 points in the first half.

First half point stats for Suns
Starting player total points: 23
Bench player total points:19
3 point shots: 1-9
Lead scorer: Goran Dragic (10)

First half point stats for Mavericks
Starting player total points: 20
Bench player total points: 34
3 point shots: 4-7
Lead scorer: Jason Terry (16)

The Suns were down by twelve (12) at the end of the first half, the Mavericks kept a strong offense throughout. Dragic not only led with his points off the bench but also led in assists for the Suns with four (4). Jason Kidd and Jason Terry led the Mavericks with five (5) assists each for the first half.

The Suns sorely missed Nash for the second half and the Mavericks continued to pull away in the third quarter. The Mavericks pulled ahead to a 22 point lead (70-48) with a few minutes left in the third. The Mavericks finished the third quarter with a 21 point lead (80-59).

In the fourth quarter the Suns brought in Hakim Warrick who had a hot hand in the final quarter. The Suns even pulled within 13 points during the fourth but Warrick was not enough to push the team within striking range. The Mavericks managed to keep off the Suns with a consistent 15 point lead for the remaining minutes of the fourth quarter.

The final score was the Mavericks 106 and the Suns 91. This extends the Mavericks home winning streak to two (2) and the Suns have lost four of their last five games overall. The top players from each team for this game:
Hakim Warrick (Suns), 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 1 block
Jason Terry (Mavericks), 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals

All point and number stats were found at:
ESPN scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore
And information regarding Steve Nash was televised on ESPN3.com