The Dallas Mavericks concluded their long-lasting championship celebration tonight by honoring the final, and arguably most important, member of last year’s team in Tyson Chandler by giving him his ring.

As is well known, Chandler moved on to the New York Knicks during the offseason when the Mavericks chose not to pursue the franchise altering center for anything near the $58 million price tag he garnered from the Knicks. Maverick or not, Chandler will be long remembered in Dallas for his heroics in the 2011 Finals and pretty much all season.

“(Chandler is) a guy that will go down as one of the all-time legendary Maverick players,” Coach Rick Carlisle said in front of a full American Airlines Center crowd who stood and roared with approval and thanks for the former Mav. Carlisle also mentioned the grit, energy, and character Chandler brought to a franchise that had never seen such characteristics in one unifying player.

Ironically, the Mavs could use some of that emotion recently as they entered tonight on a skid having lost five of six games. An annual swoon during the regular season dog days of February and March isn’t necessarily unusual for these Mavericks. Since before the All-Star break, specifically Jason Terry, the team has had a rough go recently with turnovers, shot-selection, and questionable decision making in late-game situations. Still, there seems to be a different kind of urgency in the air this year with the condensed schedule in full swing as the Mavs find themselves in the middle of a five games in six nights stretch.

With a disappointing finish last night in Oklahoma City still slightly looming in Dallas, a win over old pal Chandler and the Knicks would be a nice way to wipe the slate clean before the vaunted back-to-back-to-back set of games for Dallas. Led by Nowitzki (28 points), Jason Kidd (15 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds), and Roddy Beaubois (17 points), it appeared that would be the case most of the night after the Mavs built a lead as big as 17 points.

The easy win before the road trip quickly turned gritty and was certainly in doubt during the fourth quarter, as the Mavs even lost the lead with five minutes remaining. A couple shots here and there by Nowitzki gave the Mavericks a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game and Dallas silenced the Linsanity-ridden Knicks for at least one night, 95-85.

One night after coming up short in the closing minutes, the Mavericks were in exact opposite form against the Knicks. The key, simply enough, appears to be making Nowitzki the primary shooter in all sets when the game gets tight in the fourth quarter.

Imagine that.

Now it’s off to the west coast for three games in three nights starting on Thursday.