SALT LAKE CITY -- From Elton Brand's vantage point, the Dallas Mavericks can correct their losing tendencies if they learn how to close games.
"We're right there,'' Brand said following Monday's 100-94 loss to the Utah Jazz at the Energy Solutions Arena. "We're playing much better.
"We just can't close games. That's our next step.''
After a driving layup by Darren Collison, the Mavs held an 86-80 lead with 6:20 remaining in Monday's game. But the Mavs didn't score again until the 2:05 mark.
By then, the Jazz had seized control of the game by scoring 13 unanswered points to assume a 93-86 lead. That left the Mavs wondering what could have happened if they knew how to close out a game.
"Hopefully we'll go on the road and close out a few in a row,'' said Brand, who collected 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. "The last few games have been ours, to be honest.
"We lost them ourselves. Give the other teams credit, of course, but we had leads in the fourth (quarter) and opportunities.''
-- Dwain Price
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@dwainprice
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