All of the sudden, it's a butt-kicking

The Mavericks are rolling, up 36-21 at the end of the first quarter. The lead went from 5 to 16 in less than two minutes as they got a 3-pointer by Jason Terry and two 3-point plays the old-fashioned way.

But don't get too excited just yet. Two days ago, the Mavericks were up 30-20 at the end of the first quarter against Cleveland. They got outscored 82-44 the rest of the way.

Of course, LeBron James is nowhere to be seen on the Minnesota bench.

If you add this score to the 29-point comeback the Mavericks had against the Wolves Dec. 29, the Mavericks have outscored the Wolves by ... well, my math's not that good.

But it's a huge advantage.

--Eddie Sefko