Another Disappointing Ending

The Mavs led the majority of the game last night vs. the Lakers but in the end couldn't close out the game. The Mavs lost 112-108 and also lost the season series to LA 3-1. The last three games between the two teams were decided by 4 points (ended in overtime), 2 points and 4 points (last night). This is just more of the same from the Mavs...a team that is talented but just can't seem to close out the close games. This was the Mavericks' 10th loss that was decided by 4 points or less.

The starters did their part. Nowitzki led the Mavs with 27 points, Jason Terry scored 25 and Josh Howard added 23. Jason Kidd had 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. However, the bench is where Dallas came up short. Devon George played 25 minutes and Eddie Jones played 22 minutes and guess how many points Dallas got out out that? A grand total of 4 (Eddie Jones didn't score one single point!). Four points?!?!? Four freaking points from 47 minutes between these two jokers? I've had it with both of them. Neither will be here next year and I wish that was right now. All Dallas needed was 5 more points to win the game...that's it. Just 5 more points. And these two guys toss in a total of 4. Absolutely ridiculous to say the least.
I'm glad Terry and J.Ho have started to show back up but the bench has got to do better than that. Brandon Bass played 12 seconds...what is up with that? I would be willing to be he could have at least scored 5 points by himself.

Well, I don't have much hope for tomorrow's game in Phoenix which, more than likely, will erase the 2 game cushion the Mavs had on Golden State and we're back to where we were on Wednesday. Part of me thinks that since these games are close, Dallas just needs to give it just a little more effort and they could win some of these close games. The other part of me thinks that "you are what you are" (as Parcells used to say) and maybe this team is what it is...7th, 8th or even 9th best in the West. They have lost too many close games too many times for me to think these losses are flukes.

So, I'm bracing for what could possibly be a long off season if Dallas doesn't make the playoffs. I so wish they could have pulled it out last night. Let's hope they can nut up before tomorrow's game and surprise everyone, including me. That would be a great way to start off the week.