Dec 4, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Jason Smith (14) during the second half of a game at New Orleans Arena.The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
10. Dallas Mavericks (12-8)
Last Week: 2-2
Previous Ranking: 8
And They’re Not ‘Stuck’: Mark Cuban was going to make a splash in the offseason, but his plans to lure Deron Williams and then Dwight Howard went sideways. Now he says he’s happy the Mavericks aren’t “stuck” like the Brooklyn Nets. Of course, Monta Ellis is looking like the free-agency steal of the summer, so that helps.
The Week That Was: Dallas lost at Atlanta 88-87 on Friday, lost to the Timberwolves 112-106 on Saturday, beat the Bobcats 89-82 on Tuesday and won at New Orleans 100-97 on Wednesday.
The Numbers: 42.7% FG (27th), 37.6% 3FG, 83.1% FT, 95.5 PPG
The Opponents: 42.9% FG, 30% 3FG (2nd), 77% FT, 94.8 PPG
The Leaders: Dirk Nowitzki 21.3 ppg, DeJuan Blair 9.3 rpg, Monta Ellis 6.3 apg, Ellis 1.8 spg, Nowitzki 1.3 bpg, Nowitzki 33-for-64 (51.6%) FG, Jose Calderon 11-for-22 (50%) 3FG
Don’t! Shooters: Vince Carter 15-for-39 (38.5%) FG, Shawn Marion 5-for-17 (29.4%) 3FG