"The Suns looked like they would have a chance at escaping the likelihood of a scheduling loss Monday night.

The schedule said the Suns were doomed when they had to face the defending champion Dallas Mavericks after four other road games and 5,000 miles of traveling.

Wishful thinking took over when the Suns got two days off before the game and learned that Dallas was holding out Dirk Nowitzki.

Wishful thinking is no elixir for the Suns' offensive issues. The Suns shot a season-worst 37.3 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers to let former Suns forward Shawn Marion's season-high 29 points undo them in a 93-87 Dallas victory Monday night at American Airlines Center."