‘Spurs-Killer’ Monta Ellis Tows Dallas Mavericks Past San Antonio, 101-94

When Monta Ellis plays well, the Dallas Mavericks have a very good chance of winning. And when he plays excellent, it must be against the San Antonio Spurs. Ellis scored 38 points on an excellent 16-of-27 field goal-clip in leading his Mavericks past the visiting Spurs, 101-94 on Tuesday night.

This is the second game that Ellis scored 38 points against Gregg Popovich’s defence this season recording the same number of points in a 99-93 Dallas win last December. He also scored 26 points in a 101-100 loss to the Spurs in the opening meeting between the Texas rivals. The teams meet again on March 27 for their fourth and final meeting— a crucial game considering San Antonio (44-26) and Dallas (45-27) are virtually tied for sixth place in the tough Western Conference.

It was Ellis’ evening but Dallas also saw good contributions from Dirk Nowitzki, who had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds and Chandler Parsons, who also had 15 and added 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. No other player scored in double-figures but Dallas shot well as a team making 42-of-87 field goals for 48.3%.

San Antonio actually started the game better than the hosts outscoring the Mavericks, 29-17 in the opening quarter. The home team responded with a 26-17 second quarter and then Ellis simply took over in the second half when he shot 10-of-14 from the field. The Mavericks outscored the Spurs, 33-20 in the third quarter.

The Spurs were led by Kawhi Leonard’s 19 points and 9 rebounds and Danny Green’s 17 points. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker combined for just 14 points on 6-of-17 field goals between the two veterans.

The Spurs had a three-game winning streak snapped with the loss and are just 3-5 in their last 8 outings. Flanked by their rematch with the Mavericks on Sunday are marquee match-ups against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dallas snapped a two-game skid with the win although they are 4-2 in their last 6 games. The Mavericks travel on the road in their next three games— the Spurs on Friday, the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and Thunder on Wednesday.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.