Dallas Mavericks: 5 Best/Worst Moments of 2012-13 Season

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2012-13 season with tempered expectations. Dirk Nowitzki was expected to miss the first two months of the season and the Mavericks were going to be counting on a number of new players that were in Dallas on one-year deals. Despite those factors, the Mavericks were still expected to contend for a playoff spot in the highly competitive Western Conference. The Mavericks were unable to overcome the slow start they endured without their superstar forward, but did climb back to the .500 mark by the end of the season. Let’s take a look at the five best and worst moments of the Mavericks’ 2012-13 season.

Worst

5. Mavericks fall to the Charlotte Bobcats 101-97, Nov. 10

The Mavericks controlled the first half of play against the lowly Bobcats and took an 11-point lead into the break. The Mavericks evidently expected to win the game with minimal effort as they played with little energy during the second half. The Charlotte Bobcats kept fighting and overcame a four-point deficit with less than 26 seconds remaining to force the game into overtime, where they eventually pulled away to pull off the upset. This was one of many close games that the Mavericks lost due to turnovers and poor play down the stretch.

Dirk leaves the floor after a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks (Photo Credit/Brandon Jennings/Insidedfwsports)

4.  Mavericks loss to the Clippers put Dallas 10 games below .500, Jan. 9

Losing games late became an unfortunate season-long theme for the Mavericks. Dallas was outscored by nine points in the fourth quarter after playing the Clippers tight the entire game. The loss put Dallas 10 games below .500 for the first time since March 30, 2000–two months after Mark Cuban purchased the team.

3. Mavericks lose at San Antonio by 38 points, Dec. 23

The Spurs and Mavericks have been two of the best teams in the NBA during the last decade and have had an intense rivalry during that time. Regardless of what injuries either team may have, the matchup between these two teams typically results in a close, hard-fought game.

The Mavericks fell behind early and never made it close in a blowout loss to the Spurs on Dec. 23. The Mavericks eventually lost by 38 points in a game they would quickly try to forget.

Darren Collison was ultimately a disappointment as the starting point guard in Dallas (Photo Credit/Vernon Hadnot/D210 tv)

2. Darren Collison benched, Nov.27

Following a 26-point loss at home to the Los Angeles Lakers in which Collison shot 1-for-10 and had more turnovers (four) than points (two), Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle decided to bench the starting point guard the following night against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Mavericks lost Jason Kidd and Jason Terry in free agency and were hopeful entering the season that Darren Collison would revive his career in Dallas. Aside from the Dirk Nowitzki injury, the erratic and inconsistent play at the point guard position is the key reason the Mavericks are watching the playoffs from home.

1. The Phoenix Suns surprise Dallas with an 11-point win, April 10

The Mavericks vowed as a team in February not to shave their beards until they reached the .500 mark. As Dirk Nowitzki rounded into form, the Mavericks were only one win away from accomplishing their goal. All that stood in the way of this were the Phoenix Suns, a lottery team who played the previous night in Houston. The Mavericks came in after two days off and were confident enough heading into the matchup to have their team barber waiting in the locker room after the game. To their credit, the Phoenix Suns came out with more energy, heart and determination while shocking the Mavericks on their home court. To make matters worse, the Mavericks were officially eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in 12 years later that night.

Best

5. Mavericks open up the season with a win at Los Angeles vs. the Lakers, Oct. 30

While it may be hard to recall this after a disappointing season, there was a time that the Los Angeles Lakers were favored by many to win the Western Conference before the season began. The offseason additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash made the Lakers a formidable opponent on paper. The Mavericks’ new-look roster may have never looked better than they did on opening night while surprising the NBA with a 99-91 road win against a heavily favored Lakers team. The fact the Mavericks pulled off this feat without Dirk Nowitzki made it even more impressive.

4. Dirk Nowtizki’s return, Dec. 23

Dirk Nowitzki was out longer than anticipated and his absence was a reminder to the Mavericks and their fans of his greatness on the court. The Mavericks late-game execution, or lack thereof, without Nowitzki was an issue while he was recovering from offseason knee surgery. Fans were growing impatient as they waited for the best player in Mavericks’ history to return to the court. Dirk returned on Dec. 23 in a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but nothing tempered the excitement in Dallas as Dirk traded his dress suit for his Mavericks jersey for the rest of season.

3. Dallas defeats the New York Knicks, Nov. 21

The New York Knicks came into Dallas on Nov. 21 with one of the best records in the NBA. The arrival of the Knicks also meant the return of Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler to the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks played one their best games of the season en route to an exciting 114-111 win.

2. Season-ending win to reach the .500 mark, April 17

The Mavericks spent the majority of the 2012-13 season below the .500 mark. The Mavericks needed to win three of their final four games to avoid finishing with a losing record. Darren Collison played one of his best games of the season and the Mavericks defeated the New Orleans Hornets 107-89 to finish the season with a 41-41 record.

Dirk Nowitzki did not return in time to save the Mavericks 2012-13 season. (Photo Credit/Vernon Hadnot/D210 TV)

1. Dirk Nowitzki reaches the 25,000 career points milestone, April 14

Dirk Nowitzki became the 17th player in NBA history to score at least 25,000 career points on April 14. Nowitzki joins Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett as the only active players in the NBA with at least 25,000 points. The magnitude of this achievement was not lost on Nowitzki, who called it an unbelievable accomplishment after the game.

The Mavericks 12-year playoff streak came to an end during the 2012-13 season but there is reason for optimism leading into the 2013-14 campaign. For the first time in two years the Mavericks should have a healthy Dirk Nowitzki to begin the season. Regardless of who starts at the point guard and center position for Dallas next year it will likely be an upgrade following the disappointing seasons that Chris Kaman and Darren Collison had.

Nowitzki has publicly stated that he will take a pay cut when his contract is up next year to help the Mavericks build a competitive team. The Mavericks will once again have ample cap room in free agency and Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki will do their best to lure free agents to Dallas.