Carter claims game with Cavs was a "must-win"

DALLAS – Getting out of Cleveland this past Saturday without a win was unacceptable for the Dallas Mavericks.

Too many bad things have happened to the Mavs this season for them to succumb to the Cavs, who are not exactly one of the NBA’s better teams. Thus, the Mavs’ 103-95 victory over the Cavs was one which was born out of desperation, considering Dallas entered that game losers in four of five games.

“We played with a sense of urgency,’’ forward Vince Carter said. “The word ‘desperate’ is not what I’m looking for, but it’s under that umbrella of just desperate basketball.

“It's let’s go out there and play like we need this to win Game 7. It was, in our minds, a must-win -- in my mind for sure.’’

The Mavs are now 6-5 and will open a three-game home stand Monday at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center against the Golden State Warriors.

-- Dwain Price

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