Parsons’ big 2nd half helps Mavs top Chandler, Suns 104-94
Dec 14, 2015, 9:26 PM | Updated: 10:07 pm
Phoenix Suns center Alex Len, left, of Ukraine attempts to get to the basket as Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia, right, of Georgia defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
DALLAS — Chandler Parsons scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, Raymond Felton followed his second career triple-double with 17 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat former teammate Tyson Chandler and the Phoenix Suns 104-94 Monday night.
Parsons has been coming off the bench lately with a minutes restriction in place following offseason knee surgery. He had eight points during a 20-4 run to finish the third quarter, when Dallas made 13 of its last 14 shots to take a 77-58 lead.
After the Suns pulled within 10, Parsons had a four-point play and another 3 to help Dallas push the lead back to 15.
Deron Williams led Dallas with 18 points, including a 3-pointer to help hold off another Phoenix push.
Eric Bledsoe led the Suns with 23 points and seven assists.
The Mavericks snapped a three-game home losing streak while beating Chandler’s new team for the second time following a win at Phoenix on opening night.
Chandler left in free agency for the second time since helping Dallas win its only championship in 2011. He had six points and three rebounds coming off the bench for the second straight night after missing eight games with a right hamstring strain.
The 7-foot-1 center entered in the first quarter to a nice ovation from fans that have forgiven him twice for going elsewhere. That’s partly because the Mavericks decided both times to pursue other options.
Felton had 10 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds two nights earlier in a home loss to Washington. In this one, he was 3 of 7 from 3-point range and tied Dirk Nowitkzi for the team lead with four assists.
Parsons has had a hard time getting in the flow with his minutes restrictions and made just 5 of 18 from the field his previous two games. But he was 5 of 10 from the floor and made all five free throws against Phoenix, finishing three points shy of his season high of 20 against Philadelphia.
The Suns fell to 0-9 when held under 100 points despite a late push that included seven straight points from T.J. Warren to get within 96-90 with 2:30 remaining. Warren finished with 10 points.
Phoenix had a chance to get closer, but Jon Leuer, who had 15 points and 13 rebounds, couldn’t handle an alley-oop pass on a fast break. Williams’ final 3-pointer pushed Dallas’ lead back to 101-92 with 1:01 left.
TIP-INS
Suns: Chandler came off the bench Sunday against Minnesota. It was the first time he hasn’t started since the end of the 2009-10 season with Charlotte.
Mavericks: Devin Harris tied a career high with six steals. He scored 12 points. … Nowitzki had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Zaza Pachulia had 12 rebounds and three steals. … Wesley Matthews finished with 13 points, making 3 of 9 from long range.
UP NEXT
Suns: At Golden State on Wednesday night.
Mavericks: At Indiana on Wednesday night.
