DALLAS _ If the Mavericks could play the Washington Wizards all the time, they'd be just fine.
Their 98-75 victory on Monday completed a season sweep of the Wizards and was the Mavericks' 15th win in the last 16 meetings between the two teams _ spanning eight seasons.
The Mavericks stopped a three game losing streak behind the strong backcourt play of Wesley Matthews (14 points) and Dennis Smith Jr., who had 17 points and six assists and was a force at both ends throughout the game.
The Mavericks took charge in the second quarter when they outscored the Wizards 31-15 to take a 16-point lead at halftime. Harrison Barnes had 10 of his 20 points in the period. He also led the Mavericks with 10 rebounds as they won the battle of the boards.
Washington was limited to 6-of-23 shooting (26.1 percent) in the second period and the Mavericks' lead was never less than nine points after halftime.
Over the last three quarters, the Mavericks outscored Washington, 76-53, and for the game, they outscored the Wizards in the paint, 42-20.
The Mavericks started out strong, partly on the strength of Smith's play, including a 360-degree two-handed dunk on a breakaway.
"You look at the whole thing he was a plus," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know who's doing the invitations to the dunk contest, but if they don't invite him after tonight's exhibition, somebody's probably not doing their job very well. In a dunk contest, he would be absolutely spectacular."
