One game up and one game down on the Dallas Mavericks current three-game trip. It started with a bang, but not in a positive way. Turnovers played a huge role in our guys getting run out the gym against the “Lob City” Los Angeles Clippers 112-90. The Mavs don’t have the time to dwell on it as they get right back to it tonight in Phoenix to play the Suns.

Dallas should have some extra incentive to win tonight’s matchup against the Suns because their organization has something interesting going on with the hometown fans. The word is that the Suns are guaranteeing their fans one helluva experience vs. the Mavs or they can get their money back! Never heard of something so bizarre before, but here’s an excerpt from the team’s press release:

Win or lose, the Suns are guaranteeing that fans will enjoy their experience at US Airways Center. Those who aren’t completely satisfied can redeem their ticket stub for a rebate equal to the purchase price of their December 6 ticket, not to exceed the face value of the ticket.

The Mavericks recent play over the last few weeks ought to be motivation enough. They haven’t played smart basketball. They haven’t played winning basketball. You will struggle to win consistently in this league when you can’t outrebound, allow teams to shoot lights out and earn hefty trips to the charity stripe.

Dallas really need take care of the ball. Just quit with the poor turnovers. What I’m seeing from the errant passing are guys not on the same page. There’s no excuse since these guys have now been together for a couple months and actually seen them show they CAN play well with one another.

The Suns have a worse record than the Clippers, but this game won’t be an easier. Five of the seven Suns wins have come at home and they continue to play great basketball in the Desert even in the post-Steve Nash era.

Neither the Mavericks nor the Suns are good defensive teams at the moment. This one is going to come down to desperation. Both teams hunger for victory.

“They’re gonna be desperate for a win,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle told Mavs.com

I’m sure he’s talking about the Suns, but Carlisle’s guys need to be just as eager.

Newest addition Derek Fisher did provide our Mavs with a positive sign in last night’s blowout by scoring 15 points in his second game. Fisher is gradually getting in tune with his new team and the Mavs can really use his solid play at point.

Dirk Nowitzki was seen sitting behind the Mavs bench, but in another suit and it seems things will stay that way likely into the new year.

“The swelling is gone, so now I think we can push it more and more from week to week,” Nowitzki said.

“Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, I’ll get back out there.”

The focus tonight is the Suns and leaving town with a win. Embarrassed last night on ESPN, the Mavs with a chance at redemption tonight on TNT, will hope to provide the national audience a better performance.

Once again game action will start after 9:30 p.m. CT and airs nationally on TNT. Let’s go Mavs!