Random observations from the Mavericks' 101-91 win over Houston

 
The Mavericks did what good teams do. That’s what
Tyson Chandler said after the game and everybody’s been saying that a lot
about the Mavericks lately. They manhandled a poor team, leading by as much as
22 before a junk-time rally. Maybe this team really is good.
 
Nobody played more than 29 minutes, 22 seconds, which is a
good thing when you are in the middle of eight games in 12 days.
 
Dirk Nowitzki was player of the week last week and he finally
got plenty of help in this one with five Mavericks in double figures. They are
9-0 this season when at least five players score 10 or more.
 
J.J. Barea knocked in a couple of long-range shots and did
just about everything else you can do to help the Mavericks during his
14-minute appearance in the first half. He had 11 points and three assists and
the Mavericks were plus-eight points when he was on the floor.
 
The Mavericks had just two turnovers in the first half.
 
Brendan Haywood entered the game late in the first quarter
and had his most active stretch in more than a week. He couldn’t buy the
cripple, but he owned the ball on the Mavericks’ last possession of the
first quarter, tipping it time and again, Moses Malone style, while surrounded
by Rockets.