Mavs play uninspired basketball, lose to Pacers 111-100

Donald Sloan led all scorers with 29, Luis Scola added 14, and four other Pacers joined them in double digits as Indiana came into the AAC and shut things down. They outrebounded the Mavericks 44-37, shot 48.1% from the floor as a team, and pretty much did whatever they wanted.

Dallas never really seemed to get in rhythm, keeping things close but never getting the lead. Dirk scored 11 points in the first quarter, but the entire team looked unfocused and apathetic for the majority of the half. Dallas was down 55-50 at the half, and struggled to gain any momentum.

Chandler Parsons and Monta Ellis did their best to keep Dallas in it though, combining to score 16 points in the third quarter. Despite their efforts, the Mavs were down seven headed to the final frame. Dallas fell down 98-86 with about 8:30 left in the game, when Rick Carlisle called a timeout. At that point, Dallas went on a 7-0 run over the next four and half minutes, to pull to 98-93, before Solomon Hill made two free throws. The next time down the court Sloan drilled a three to put Indiana back up ten. Dallas never got closer than eight again, and that was the end of that.

The biggest letdown from this game was once again Dallas' perimeter defense. The Pacers were shooting 32% from three-point range as a team coming into this game, but they shot 50% from deep tonight, as seven different Pacers made at least one three.

Dallas was led by Monta and Dirk, who finished with 24 and 22 points, respectively. At first glance you might see that Dallas shot 50% from the floor and think they didn't play that poorly, but look a few columns to the right in whatever box score you're looking at. You'll quickly realize that the Mavs shot 33% from three point range and a flat out embarrassing 57.1% from the free throw line.

Jameer Nelson was hot garbage once again, and now that Raymond Felton is back you have to wonder if Carlisle is going to make a change soon.

Thankfully, this game is over and we can move on. Dallas has Tuesday off to try and figure things out before playing host to the New York Knicks on Wednesday.