In dire need of a picker-upper on the defensive end of the court, the Dallas Mavericks proceeded to put the defensive clamps on the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter Thursday night and get out of American Airlines Center with a 123-111 triumph.
In the first game of the new year and the first game of a six-game home stand, the Mavs outscored the high-rolling Nets, 30-18, in the fourth quarter and that was the difference in a game that was knotted at 93-all after three quarters.
The injury-riddled Mavs played without starters Kristaps Porzingis (right knee soreness) and Tim Hardaway Jr.