Wizards shoot down Mavs 110-98

The Mavericks returned from an eventful and unfulfilling road trip hungry for some home cooking. Dirk Nowitzki, for whatever reason, was the only one at the table for much of Monday night.

Washington did the feasting, shooting lights out in the third quarter to blow past Dallas 110-98 before 19,556 fans at American Airlines Center. The Mavs (9-5) dropped their first home game in seven tries and the three-game skid is the longest since opening last season 0-4.

“I don’t think championship teams can get used to losing two or three in a row,” Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.

The Wizards, minus injured point guard Gilbert Arenas, appeared to be the perfect remedy for Dallas, which was coming off consecutive losses to finish up last week’s three-game trek. Making matters more appetizing, Washington had allowed an average of 123.5 points in its two previous games – both losses.

The Mavs failed take advantage of the Wizards’ spotty defense. Well, everyone but Nowitzki. Dallas scored just 45 points in the first half on 40.5-percent shooting. Other than Nowitzki making 8-of-10 shots, the rest of the team was 9 of 32 (28.1 percent).

“The energy hadn’t been there,” Johnson said.