The Mavs shot only 38.5 percent, were outrebounded again and tied their season low in points. But they were able to establish enough consistency during the game’s critical moments while also putting up a strong defensive front to triumph over the Washington Wizards 87-78.
The victory enabled the Mavs (19-13) to vault six games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2011-12 lockout season with a 36-30 record.
Monta Ellis tallied eight of Dallas’ final 10 points in the game’s last 2:14 — he went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in that span — that helped steady the Mavs’ rocky offense. Ellis (23 points), Vince Carter (13 points), Jose Calderon (11 points) and Brandan Wright (10 points) carried the scoring load.