Dallas Mavericks Give Reason to Be Excited After Win over Memphis Grizzlies

This is how bad it is to be a Dallas Mavericks fan so far this season: A two-game winning streak is actually an accomplishment to be proud of.

But with the way this season's going, Mavericks fans have the right to be happy that this team may have finally found a winning formula.

Albeit they were coming off a back-to-back, the Memphis Grizzlies had a tough time executing on both ends of the floor as the Mavs came away with their most impressive victory this season, 104-83 on Saturday night.

Taking advantage of teams has been a weak link in the chain that is Dallas' struggling 2012-13 campaign, but now with two straight wins there's hope to get excited for what's to come.

And if there was ever a time for Dallas to get back on track, this four-game homestand is sure to be it.

Good thing for the Mavs: Game One is out of the way.

Since the return of Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs haven't been able to find their rhythm. Even without The Big German in the lineup, Dallas' struggles were persistent and agonizing.

For the first time this year, you saw what this team could do when they play a complete game. And was it ever a pretty sight.

It has also become clear that Dallas doesn't want to become a team that relies on Dirk every night to give them points. So it helps when you have a balanced scoring line like the Mavs did against Memphis.

Shawn Marion: Game-high 20 points.
Dirk: 17 points
Chris Kaman: 14 points
O.J. Mayo: 11 points
Darren Collison: 10 points
Elton Brand: 10 points

Where was this all season?

This team is capable of being a dangerous team if they don't need to rely on one person to carry the scoring load. Even if that means Marion scoring in the teens and more every night, it works.

And the fact that Dallas had six players in double figures against the No. 2 scoring defense in the NBA says a lot of what can happen.

Memphis should've won this game, no matter if it was a back-to-back or not, simply because it's the better team out of the two. But the Grizzlies were held to 83 points, and held Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to a combined 6-of-15 shooting.

Without question, the best team performance the Mavs have had all year.

Now comes the lingering question: Can Dallas do it again for the next three games? The Mavs play the Kevin Love-less Timberwolves on Monday, James Harden and the Rockets on Wednesday and Oklahoma City on Friday

Preparing for Houston and Oklahoma City has a silver lining: Dallas has been able to keep games close, and the loss against the Clippers may have been what this team needed.

In the spirit of not jinxing anything, and if Dallas can reel off a few more wins, watch out: Here come the Mavs.