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Dallas Mavericks: Win Over Phoenix Showed New Strengths

By Cole Mentzel

Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer in the second half of the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer in the second half of the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Mavericks opened up the 2015-16 season with an impressive 111-95 win over the Phoenix Suns. The game stayed tight throughout the first half but after an explosion in the second quarter, the Mavs never looked back.

With no Chandler Parsons or JaVale McGee, the Mavs entered the game knowing they would be shorthanded at a few positions. That never slowed them down. They had eight different players finish in double figures and didn’t back down when the Suns cut their lead down to 14 at one point.

We did learn a few new things about a Mavs team that was faced with heavy odds entering the season. First of all, the guard depth is a legitimate threat on this team. Raymond Felton led all scorers with 18 points while Devin Harris and J.J. Barea each had 10.

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The newest guard on the team, Deron Williams, had 12 points and seven assists in his debut despite a knee injury in the third quarter which sent him to the bench for most of the second half.

These point guards were able to play multiple positions and contribute in whichever spot they were at on the court. With that being the case, Wesley Matthews was the only shooting guard to play the game until the last few minutes, when John Jenkins and Justin Anderson came in.

The guard play looked dominant and they were able to get to the basket at will against the Suns, causing many open layups, smooth floaters and trips to the free-throw line.

The next thing kind of shocked Mavs fans. The team played very solid defense all night long. Some of the Suns more exciting players, like Tyson Chandler and Markieff Morris, were held to three and four points respectively on the game. The Mavs rotation around the court was superb and it led to seven forced steals and three blocks on the defensive side of the court.

The Mavs have not been known as a good defensive team in quite some time. Granted this was only the first game of the season, it’s a good sign. Zaza Pachulia, Jeremy Evans and Matthews, three of the newest Mavs, were anchors on defense all night and they stayed active in the paint whenever speedy guards, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, would try to drive to the basket.

Another thing the Mavs revealed was that they are still going to be a good offensive team. Monta Ellis and Chandler were two main pieces in the Mavs offense for 2014-15 and it was uncertain as to if the current Mavs team could replace their contributions.

By holding a 20-plus-point lead for most of the second half and piling 111 on Phoenix, it was obvious that their offense wouldn’t suffer. Plus, the addition of Parsons, who could end up being the Mavs’ leading scorer this season, will give it even more of a boost.

By seeing all of these components in action, it showed that the Mavs, as a team, are very strong and well-knit. Every player got in on the action against the Suns and the team recorded 24 assists, showing off their impressive ball movement. There are tougher tests on the horizon, but for now the Mavs showed that they are ready and that they have new strengths to implement in the West.

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