Milwaukee 103, Dallas 99
Sometimes in basketball, as in life, things just don’t add up. Take the Miami Heat, for example. Between D-Wade, LeBron, and Chris Bosh, basketball fans and talking heads alike just assumed that Miami would win it all, awarding the Heat the championship before the season even began. And then the season started, and the Heat looked mediocre at best, struggling to a 9-8 record to start off the year.
That’s kinda what happened to the Mavericks when Milwaukee came to town last week. Before the game even began, even though the Mavs were owners of a 12 game win streak, I had a bad feeling about it. It’s not that Milwaukee is an exceptionally good team (they aren’t) or that Dallas was playing poorly (they weren’t). It might have been the fact that Dallas was playing for win #13, on the 13th, or that Dirk had just been named Western Conference Player of the Week for the 13th time in his career (and the second this season) that set off my superstitious senses. But that annoying little voice in the back of my mind warned me that you can’t win ‘em all, and sooner or later, my Mavs would lose…and for some odd reason, it felt like it would be against the Bucks.
Things started out great, and the Mavs jumped out to as much as a 20 point lead early on. And then, slow and steady, Milwaukee made their comeback, leaving the Mavericks playing from behind during much of the final frame. And when it came down to crunch time, the Bucks stole a move from former head coach Don Nelson’s bag of tricks, employing the Hack-a-Shaq technique, only this time, it wasn’t Shaq, but the Mavs’ own Brendan Haywood on the receiving end of several intentional off the ball fouls. Haywood missed all four free throw attempts, which didn’t help the Mavs’ cause in the least.
But the blame for this loss doesn’t fall solely at the feet of Haywood. This was most definitely a team loss. Just like they had done against Utah two nights prior, Dallas got too comfortable with their lead and started playing to keep their lead, rather than playing to extend it. Anytime you have your opponent down by double digits, it’s time to push your foot down on the gas pedal and play harder, not let up and relax like the Mavericks did against Milwaukee.
Unlike in the Utah game, Dallas was unable to hold on for the win, thus seeing their amazing win streak come to a very disappointing end, once more in front of their home crowd. Of their five losses this season, only one (at New Orleans) has been on the road; the other four have all been here at the AAC, which is another cause for concern in a season where the Mavericks haven’t given their fans much else to be concerned about.
Wednesday night, the Portland Trailblazers made their first trip to Dallas this season, and the Mavs had the chance to start another streak, hopefully in the W column.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Dallas Dominates During 12 Game Win Streak
Here's the thing: no matter what I do, or how hard I try, I can't keep up, nor even catch up, with all of the buzz that has surrounded my marvelous Mavericks since the Thanksgiving holiday. Every time it looks as if I'm making headway, something happens, be it at work, at home, or just my life in general. And as my dear sweet Rickey reminded me last night, this blog is not a job. It doesn't pay the bills, it earns me no special favors, and very few people even acknowledge its existence, aside from my circle of family and friends. But the sole reason I continue my blog is simple: because I want to.
That being said, I’ll make this easy on you, my handful of semi-faithful readers, as well as myself. Between November 29 and December 11, although they faced different opponents in different arenas, every game had the same end result: Mavs won! Dallas went on an amazing 12 game win streak, which included an emotional matchup against old friends and mentors (former Maverick Devin Harris and ex-Mavs’ coach Avery Johnson); a surprising blowout in Salt Lake City, where the Mavs have traditionally struggled; a nailbiting, down-to-the-wire finish at Arco Arena against a young athletic Sacramento team; and an unbelievably hot shooting first quarter at home against the Jazz, in which Dallas hit seven three pointers in as many minutes and jumped out to a 29-4 lead, leaving Utah wondering what the hell happened. (Props to the Jazz, however, as they managed to get back in the game and tie it at 89 all late in the fourth quarter. I only mention this because it becomes relevant when discussing what happened when the Mavs faced Milwaukee at the AAC last Monday night).
For the better part of twelve games, Dirk played like the perennial All-Star that those of us in Dallas know him to be. J-Kidd, while he struggled with his shot at times, still managed to be the grease that kept the Mavs’ machine running. Jason Terry led the charge off the bench and Caron Butler proved to be an acceptable Robin to Dirk’s Batman. And the newest Mavs’ working man’s hero, DeShawn Stevenson, who is quite possibly the most underrated player on the roster (aside from J-Kidd, who, IMO, never receives proper recognition for his total awesomeness), proved he was much more than just an add-in afterthought in the Josh-Howard-for-Caron-Butler trade that took place over the All-Star break. Stevenson was given the unenviable task of defending the opponent’s top player(s) more often than not, and did a remarkable job. DeShawn has also made his way to the top of the league in three point shooting percentage and continued to build his reputation as a dangerous shooter from long distance.
For twelve straight games, Dallas looked like the best team in basketball. And then Milwaukee came to town.
That being said, I’ll make this easy on you, my handful of semi-faithful readers, as well as myself. Between November 29 and December 11, although they faced different opponents in different arenas, every game had the same end result: Mavs won! Dallas went on an amazing 12 game win streak, which included an emotional matchup against old friends and mentors (former Maverick Devin Harris and ex-Mavs’ coach Avery Johnson); a surprising blowout in Salt Lake City, where the Mavs have traditionally struggled; a nailbiting, down-to-the-wire finish at Arco Arena against a young athletic Sacramento team; and an unbelievably hot shooting first quarter at home against the Jazz, in which Dallas hit seven three pointers in as many minutes and jumped out to a 29-4 lead, leaving Utah wondering what the hell happened. (Props to the Jazz, however, as they managed to get back in the game and tie it at 89 all late in the fourth quarter. I only mention this because it becomes relevant when discussing what happened when the Mavs faced Milwaukee at the AAC last Monday night).
For the better part of twelve games, Dirk played like the perennial All-Star that those of us in Dallas know him to be. J-Kidd, while he struggled with his shot at times, still managed to be the grease that kept the Mavs’ machine running. Jason Terry led the charge off the bench and Caron Butler proved to be an acceptable Robin to Dirk’s Batman. And the newest Mavs’ working man’s hero, DeShawn Stevenson, who is quite possibly the most underrated player on the roster (aside from J-Kidd, who, IMO, never receives proper recognition for his total awesomeness), proved he was much more than just an add-in afterthought in the Josh-Howard-for-Caron-Butler trade that took place over the All-Star break. Stevenson was given the unenviable task of defending the opponent’s top player(s) more often than not, and did a remarkable job. DeShawn has also made his way to the top of the league in three point shooting percentage and continued to build his reputation as a dangerous shooter from long distance.
For twelve straight games, Dallas looked like the best team in basketball. And then Milwaukee came to town.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
By the Numbers: 5+4+3+2=1
Here is where the Mavericks’ story begins to get interesting, when we apply my newly created Mavericks mathematics: 5 nights + 4 games + 3 different cities + 2 sets of back to backs = one helluva week for Dallas, as they manged to sweep every single game¸ marking only the third time in franchise history they had done so. Dallas ended the week on a five game winning streak, after taking out the overhyped and underacheiving Miami Heat. Here are a few highlights of a week that the Mavs, along with their fans, were most definitely thankful for:
Mavericks 88, Pistons 84
Dallas jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead, and I screamed at my TV for the shutout, knowing it was virtually impossible in the NBA. But a girl can dream, right? Dallas took a large lead out of the gate, ending the first quarter with a 24-17 lead. But the Mavs stunk it up in the next twelve minutes, allowing Detroit not only to catch them, but to head into the locker room at the half, leading Dallas, 42-38. So Dallas did what they do best: they turned to their leader, their hero, the face of the franchise – the big German. Dirk was hot from everywhere (again except for the free throw line, where he was a mediocre 3-of-6), nailing all three of his three-point attempts and ending the game as Dallas’ leading scorer with a whopping 42 points, as well as top rebounder, with 12 boards.
Although the Mavs’ shot just 38.5%, they did manage to hold on the ball, committing a season-low eight turnovers. Dallas fought back from a five point deficit heading into the final frame in what would be the first of three consecutive comeback victories in four nights. Tonight marked Jason Kidd’s 1200th NBA game played, making him the leader among active players, and moving him into 22nd place all-time in games played. After watching Dirk in all his awesome glory lead the Mavericks to victory yet again, I was left with just one burning question: when the hell did Tracy McGrady wind up in Detroit??
Mavericks 111, Thunder 103
After the lengthy and amazing performance put on by Dirk against the Pistons the night before, some would have thought there would be no spring left in his step, no gas left in his tank. And those people would have been absolutely, positively wrong. Because Dirk did it again, leading all scorers with 34 points and sparking the Mavs back to life on an incredible and rare four point-play, hitting both the three-pointer and free throw which resulted form him being fouled on the shot attempt, late in the fourth quarter. Dallas was down by three after one quarter, down by just one point at the half, and went into the final frame facing a four point deficit. Midway through the final frame, after being down 90-83, Dallas went on a 10-0 run to take a lead which they would not relinquish.
Although the Triple J Trio (Jet, J-Kidd and JJ) struggled with their shot yet again, going a combined 8-of-30 from the floor, Dirk still had a little help from his friends, as Kidd finished with 12 assists and the Mavs only turned the ball over 12 times. Tyson Chandler was a beast on the boards, bringing down 18 rebounds to go along with his 17 points. As Coach Carlisle pointed out after the game, this was a great win for this team.
“We have never quit on a game,” Carlisle said. “We just look for good things to happen.” And if the old adage is true, and the best things actually do come to those who wait, then maybe an NBA title is somewhere in the near future for these Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks 103, Spurs 94
I saw a tweet on Friday night, and although I can’t remember who it was from, I couldn’t have agreed more: All Mavs-Spurs games should be broadcast nationally. And they should, because barring catastrophe or major injury, there is not a better rivalry in the league (Lakers-Celtics is older, but not more interesting, nor entertaining) than the one that exists up and down Interstate 35. Even if it had been Dallas’ seventh game in as many nights, no matter how tired they should or would have been, this team would have been fired up to face the Spurs. And because Dallas came in riding a three game win streak, and the Spurs rode in on a league-best 12 game winning streak, we all knew this was going to be a great game.
Neither team disappointed in the opening quarter as the lead changed hands, ending with the Spurs up by a bucket, 29-27. Interestingly enough, over the second and third quarters, both teams managed to score exactly 44 points, which meant the Mavs headed into the final period still trailing San Antonio, 73-71. Jason Terry and Shawn Marion helped propel the charge of the Mavs’ bench, joining forces for 19 points and four assists over the final twelve minutes. Marion shot 75% from the floor (8-for-12) to go along with three rebounds and a steal. Tyson Chandler came up big yet again, with 19 points (13-of-16 from the charity stripe) and eight rebounds. As a team, however, Dallas struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 20-of-31, or 64.5%.
Oddly enough, Dirk, who led Dallas with 26 points, did not attempt a single free throw. He didn’t need to, however, as he shot a blazing 85.7% from the floor, nailing 12 of his 14 attempts. Nowitzki also pulled down eight rebounds and handed out five assists as the Mavs came to town and snapped the Spurs’ twelve game winning streak, while continuing to extend their own to four games.
Mavericks 106, Heat 95
Everyone was so excited to see the new James Gang – oops, I mean the Miami Heat – come to town to take on the Mavericks. Except me. Because I despise Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat, and everything they stand for – especially now that “his highness” King James has come to town. I have hated the Heat since they stole our championship (with the help of Bennett Salavatore and David Stern, IMO) back in 2006, and I revel in giddiness every time we have defeated them since (that would be every time our teams have met). And this, the fourth game my Mavs had played in five nights, would prove to be no exception, regardless of the Heat’s supposed “new and improved” roster.
Through the first quarter, both teams seemed to be evenly matched, as the score was knotted at 26. And at the half, Dallas had the slight advantage, up by a basket, 51-49. But Dallas was ready to pounce coming out of the locker room as they went on a 13-0 run and built a lead as large as 18 points, ending the period up, 82-66. Caron Butler was a big factor, with a dozen of his team high 23 points coming during the pivotal third quarter. Tyson Chandler was again a rebounding machine, pulling down 17 boards in 36 minutes. And JJ Barea, whose shot had all but disappeared of late, was on fire from the floor, hitting 5-of-7 shots for 13 points. Dirk was Dirk, dropping in 22 points, snagging six rebound, dishing out four assists and coming away with two steals.
There was no looking back for the Mavericks after they set foot on the court for the second half, although Miami did manage to make the game a bit of a nail biter as the final few minutes ticked off the clock. The “Big Three” led the way for the Heat in scoring (James 23, Bosh and Wade 22 each), rebounds (Wade 8), and assists (Wade 5), but the Heat were not hot enough, nor improved enough, to tackle the streaking Dallas Mavericks on this night. Not in our house, not again.
And to top off one amazing week, the following Monday, Dirk Nowitzki was named Western Conference Player of the Week for his outstanding performances in all four games. It doesn’t get any sweeter than this, right?
Mavericks 88, Pistons 84
Dallas jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead, and I screamed at my TV for the shutout, knowing it was virtually impossible in the NBA. But a girl can dream, right? Dallas took a large lead out of the gate, ending the first quarter with a 24-17 lead. But the Mavs stunk it up in the next twelve minutes, allowing Detroit not only to catch them, but to head into the locker room at the half, leading Dallas, 42-38. So Dallas did what they do best: they turned to their leader, their hero, the face of the franchise – the big German. Dirk was hot from everywhere (again except for the free throw line, where he was a mediocre 3-of-6), nailing all three of his three-point attempts and ending the game as Dallas’ leading scorer with a whopping 42 points, as well as top rebounder, with 12 boards.
Although the Mavs’ shot just 38.5%, they did manage to hold on the ball, committing a season-low eight turnovers. Dallas fought back from a five point deficit heading into the final frame in what would be the first of three consecutive comeback victories in four nights. Tonight marked Jason Kidd’s 1200th NBA game played, making him the leader among active players, and moving him into 22nd place all-time in games played. After watching Dirk in all his awesome glory lead the Mavericks to victory yet again, I was left with just one burning question: when the hell did Tracy McGrady wind up in Detroit??
Mavericks 111, Thunder 103
After the lengthy and amazing performance put on by Dirk against the Pistons the night before, some would have thought there would be no spring left in his step, no gas left in his tank. And those people would have been absolutely, positively wrong. Because Dirk did it again, leading all scorers with 34 points and sparking the Mavs back to life on an incredible and rare four point-play, hitting both the three-pointer and free throw which resulted form him being fouled on the shot attempt, late in the fourth quarter. Dallas was down by three after one quarter, down by just one point at the half, and went into the final frame facing a four point deficit. Midway through the final frame, after being down 90-83, Dallas went on a 10-0 run to take a lead which they would not relinquish.
Although the Triple J Trio (Jet, J-Kidd and JJ) struggled with their shot yet again, going a combined 8-of-30 from the floor, Dirk still had a little help from his friends, as Kidd finished with 12 assists and the Mavs only turned the ball over 12 times. Tyson Chandler was a beast on the boards, bringing down 18 rebounds to go along with his 17 points. As Coach Carlisle pointed out after the game, this was a great win for this team.
“We have never quit on a game,” Carlisle said. “We just look for good things to happen.” And if the old adage is true, and the best things actually do come to those who wait, then maybe an NBA title is somewhere in the near future for these Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks 103, Spurs 94
I saw a tweet on Friday night, and although I can’t remember who it was from, I couldn’t have agreed more: All Mavs-Spurs games should be broadcast nationally. And they should, because barring catastrophe or major injury, there is not a better rivalry in the league (Lakers-Celtics is older, but not more interesting, nor entertaining) than the one that exists up and down Interstate 35. Even if it had been Dallas’ seventh game in as many nights, no matter how tired they should or would have been, this team would have been fired up to face the Spurs. And because Dallas came in riding a three game win streak, and the Spurs rode in on a league-best 12 game winning streak, we all knew this was going to be a great game.
Neither team disappointed in the opening quarter as the lead changed hands, ending with the Spurs up by a bucket, 29-27. Interestingly enough, over the second and third quarters, both teams managed to score exactly 44 points, which meant the Mavs headed into the final period still trailing San Antonio, 73-71. Jason Terry and Shawn Marion helped propel the charge of the Mavs’ bench, joining forces for 19 points and four assists over the final twelve minutes. Marion shot 75% from the floor (8-for-12) to go along with three rebounds and a steal. Tyson Chandler came up big yet again, with 19 points (13-of-16 from the charity stripe) and eight rebounds. As a team, however, Dallas struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 20-of-31, or 64.5%.
Oddly enough, Dirk, who led Dallas with 26 points, did not attempt a single free throw. He didn’t need to, however, as he shot a blazing 85.7% from the floor, nailing 12 of his 14 attempts. Nowitzki also pulled down eight rebounds and handed out five assists as the Mavs came to town and snapped the Spurs’ twelve game winning streak, while continuing to extend their own to four games.
Mavericks 106, Heat 95
Everyone was so excited to see the new James Gang – oops, I mean the Miami Heat – come to town to take on the Mavericks. Except me. Because I despise Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat, and everything they stand for – especially now that “his highness” King James has come to town. I have hated the Heat since they stole our championship (with the help of Bennett Salavatore and David Stern, IMO) back in 2006, and I revel in giddiness every time we have defeated them since (that would be every time our teams have met). And this, the fourth game my Mavs had played in five nights, would prove to be no exception, regardless of the Heat’s supposed “new and improved” roster.
Through the first quarter, both teams seemed to be evenly matched, as the score was knotted at 26. And at the half, Dallas had the slight advantage, up by a basket, 51-49. But Dallas was ready to pounce coming out of the locker room as they went on a 13-0 run and built a lead as large as 18 points, ending the period up, 82-66. Caron Butler was a big factor, with a dozen of his team high 23 points coming during the pivotal third quarter. Tyson Chandler was again a rebounding machine, pulling down 17 boards in 36 minutes. And JJ Barea, whose shot had all but disappeared of late, was on fire from the floor, hitting 5-of-7 shots for 13 points. Dirk was Dirk, dropping in 22 points, snagging six rebound, dishing out four assists and coming away with two steals.
There was no looking back for the Mavericks after they set foot on the court for the second half, although Miami did manage to make the game a bit of a nail biter as the final few minutes ticked off the clock. The “Big Three” led the way for the Heat in scoring (James 23, Bosh and Wade 22 each), rebounds (Wade 8), and assists (Wade 5), but the Heat were not hot enough, nor improved enough, to tackle the streaking Dallas Mavericks on this night. Not in our house, not again.
And to top off one amazing week, the following Monday, Dirk Nowitzki was named Western Conference Player of the Week for his outstanding performances in all four games. It doesn’t get any sweeter than this, right?
Mavs Fly into Atlanta, Soar Over Hawks
After being hammered on the glass in Friday night’s home loss to the Bulls, Dallas was bound and determined to grab every rebound within its grasp. And despite a 20 rebound effort from the Hawks’ Al Horford, Dallas did outrebound Atlanta, 40-37, and Dallas did win the game, improving their road record to 4-1. Although Dirk was a mere 8-of-22 from the field and again missed two free throws, he ended the game as Dallas’ leading scorer with 21 points.
For once, Dallas had a balanced offensive night, with five players scoring in double digits (Dirk 21, Jet 15, Stevenson and Butler each with 13, and 12 from Shawn Marion). Marion provided great energy and help off the bench, also leading the team in rebounds with 10. And DeShawn Stevenson, who played an extended 18 minutes, was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including a big 3-of-3 from behind the arc, with 11 of his points coming in the third quarter as Atlanta tried to eradicate an 18 point deficit. Dallas took a nine point lead, 77-68, into the final period, but Atlanta still refused to give up without one last push, and they made it a one point-game, 94-93, before first Jet and then Dirk each nailed a pair of free throws to seal the victory for Dallas.
For once, Dallas had a balanced offensive night, with five players scoring in double digits (Dirk 21, Jet 15, Stevenson and Butler each with 13, and 12 from Shawn Marion). Marion provided great energy and help off the bench, also leading the team in rebounds with 10. And DeShawn Stevenson, who played an extended 18 minutes, was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including a big 3-of-3 from behind the arc, with 11 of his points coming in the third quarter as Atlanta tried to eradicate an 18 point deficit. Dallas took a nine point lead, 77-68, into the final period, but Atlanta still refused to give up without one last push, and they made it a one point-game, 94-93, before first Jet and then Dirk each nailed a pair of free throws to seal the victory for Dallas.
No Bull Here: Dallas Drops Another Game at the AAC
Mavericks 83, Bulls 88
Trying to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Hornets and avoid their first losing streak of the season, the Mavs returned home to take on the Chicago Bulls and hopefully reinstate their reputation as an excellent home team. The Bulls, however, had other ideas, as the dynamic duo of Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson dominated the glass, snagging 35 rebounds (one more than the entire Mavericks team!) and turning them into 25 second chance points.
As a whole, Dallas was terrible from the opening tip, managing only 13 points in the first quarter and trailed Chicago 28-17 after the opening frame. At the half, the Mavericks had only managed to up their total to 35 points, and they still trailed the Bulls, 39-35. Dirk was the only thing going right for Dallas, as he scored 10 of the Mavericks’ 13 first quarter points. Dirk was so good (or perhaps the rest of the team so bad) that with 2:56 left in the third quarter, Dirk had 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting, while the rest of the Mavericks had only accounted for 27 points on 9-of-31 shots. The Triple J Trio (Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and JJ Barea) had an especially tough night, shooting a combined 4-of-26 from the field, connecting on only two of 13 three point attempts.
Although Dirk finished the game with a team-high 36 points, it still was not enough to pull this one out for the Mavericks, who could not seem to keep the Bulls off the offensive glass. And even as great as he was, literally carrying the team the entire night, even Dirk was uncharacteristically out of sorts, missing half (three) of his six free throw attempts. The Mavericks’ poor shooting (15-of-49, not including Dirk) and inability to stop Chicago on the glass and in the paint is what really lost this game for Dallas, sending their home record to a miserable 4-3 at the AAC, compared to 3-1 on the road. Luckily for the Mavs, their next game would be on the road, taking on the Atlanta Hawks the following night, and it would be the start of something special.
Trying to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Hornets and avoid their first losing streak of the season, the Mavs returned home to take on the Chicago Bulls and hopefully reinstate their reputation as an excellent home team. The Bulls, however, had other ideas, as the dynamic duo of Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson dominated the glass, snagging 35 rebounds (one more than the entire Mavericks team!) and turning them into 25 second chance points.
As a whole, Dallas was terrible from the opening tip, managing only 13 points in the first quarter and trailed Chicago 28-17 after the opening frame. At the half, the Mavericks had only managed to up their total to 35 points, and they still trailed the Bulls, 39-35. Dirk was the only thing going right for Dallas, as he scored 10 of the Mavericks’ 13 first quarter points. Dirk was so good (or perhaps the rest of the team so bad) that with 2:56 left in the third quarter, Dirk had 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting, while the rest of the Mavericks had only accounted for 27 points on 9-of-31 shots. The Triple J Trio (Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and JJ Barea) had an especially tough night, shooting a combined 4-of-26 from the field, connecting on only two of 13 three point attempts.
Although Dirk finished the game with a team-high 36 points, it still was not enough to pull this one out for the Mavericks, who could not seem to keep the Bulls off the offensive glass. And even as great as he was, literally carrying the team the entire night, even Dirk was uncharacteristically out of sorts, missing half (three) of his six free throw attempts. The Mavericks’ poor shooting (15-of-49, not including Dirk) and inability to stop Chicago on the glass and in the paint is what really lost this game for Dallas, sending their home record to a miserable 4-3 at the AAC, compared to 3-1 on the road. Luckily for the Mavs, their next game would be on the road, taking on the Atlanta Hawks the following night, and it would be the start of something special.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Back to the Blog
With the Thanksgiving holiday, dental and doctor’s appointments scheduled on nearly every day off, and trying to prepare our house for the holiday season, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. Although I have still been actively watching every game (even if it be time delayed on the DVR) and keeping up with my beloved Mavericks, I haven’t had much time to put pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard, as it were – and share any thoughts, review and analysis. Since work has finally started to slow down, and I have to do something to keep myself from snoring at my desk, I figured this was as good a time as any to try and catch up on my back blogs.
With as many games as I am behind as of today (a complete dozen), for the sake of saving time, space, my keyboard, and my sanity, I’ll break ‘em down into a few mini-blogs, rather than trying to cover every game individually. And hopefully, after this, I’ll be able to keep up with my blogging as well as the Mavs have been able to keep up their winning ways. But as always, I make no guarantees, because, unlike my boys in blue and white, I’m only human…
Home and Home, Take Two: Mavs vs. Hornets
Game 1, AAC: Mavericks 98, Hornets 95
Heading into the first of back to back games between Dallas and New Orleans, the hornets came in riding a league best eight game win streak and were, as of yet, undefeated. And through the better part of three quarters, New Orleans played with that swagger, knowing that they were the team to beat. The Hornets led through the majority of the game, until the fourth quarter, when the shorthanded Mavericks, who were without the services of Caron Butler due to back spasms, finally turned up the heat.
Over the final twelve minutes, the combination of Dirk, J-Kidd, and Jason Terry (who had a rough shooting night, hitting just 5-of-14 through three quarters) dropped in 27 of Dallas’ final 29 points. The trio were perfect from behind the arc, knocking down six three pointers in the final frame (Kidd 3, Terry 2, Dirk 1). And Jason Terry, who has often been known for his ability to perform under pressure and hit clutch shots, pulled through for Dallas once again, sinking what would turn out to be the winning shot with 35 seconds left.
Unlike Dallas, the Hornets’ shot disappeared in the fourth period as their starters combined for 1-of-13 shooting. Although New Orleans held a double digit lead nearly halfway through the quarter, a 21-8 run by the Mavericks, jumpstarted by consecutive Jason Kidd three pointers, helped spur Dallas to victory, snapping the Hornets eight game winning streak.
“For three minutes at the end of the game,” said Jason Terry, “we just said ‘Who wants it more?’ and tonight, we were that team.”
Game 2, New Orleans: Mavericks 97, Hornets 99
After losing their first game of the season at the hands of the Mavericks, the Hornets should have been out for blood when the two teams met again 48 hours later in Hornets’ territory. However, over the course of the first 24 minutes, New Orleans looked completely discombobulated as they headed to the locker room at the half, down by double digits, 52-42.
Aside from the locale, the only thing that changed from Monday night was the fact that Caron Butler was again on the court for Dallas, although he really had little to no impact. It was again Dirk, with help from Kidd, Jet, and former New Orleans Hornet Tyson Chandler, who almost led this Mavericks team to victory. But in the second half, New Orleans started playing with pride, paying more attention on defense, and pulling out all the stops to ensure that their first TWO losses of the season would not both come at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.
David West, whom many Mavs fans may remember as “that dude who got up in Dirk’s grill” during the Mavs’ first round playoff loss (that eventually cost the Little General his job) to the Hornets a few seasons back, was again a thorn in the Mavs’ collective side. He stole the ball not once but TWICE in the final three seconds, when the Mavs would have had the chance to take the lead and ultimately win the game. With 2.7 seconds left, West swiped the ball from Dirk (who finished with a team high 29 points and 10 rebounds), got fouled, and split the free throws, before stealing Tyson Chandler’s inbound pass with two seconds left, sealing the victory for the Hornets.
With as many games as I am behind as of today (a complete dozen), for the sake of saving time, space, my keyboard, and my sanity, I’ll break ‘em down into a few mini-blogs, rather than trying to cover every game individually. And hopefully, after this, I’ll be able to keep up with my blogging as well as the Mavs have been able to keep up their winning ways. But as always, I make no guarantees, because, unlike my boys in blue and white, I’m only human…
Home and Home, Take Two: Mavs vs. Hornets
Game 1, AAC: Mavericks 98, Hornets 95
Heading into the first of back to back games between Dallas and New Orleans, the hornets came in riding a league best eight game win streak and were, as of yet, undefeated. And through the better part of three quarters, New Orleans played with that swagger, knowing that they were the team to beat. The Hornets led through the majority of the game, until the fourth quarter, when the shorthanded Mavericks, who were without the services of Caron Butler due to back spasms, finally turned up the heat.
Over the final twelve minutes, the combination of Dirk, J-Kidd, and Jason Terry (who had a rough shooting night, hitting just 5-of-14 through three quarters) dropped in 27 of Dallas’ final 29 points. The trio were perfect from behind the arc, knocking down six three pointers in the final frame (Kidd 3, Terry 2, Dirk 1). And Jason Terry, who has often been known for his ability to perform under pressure and hit clutch shots, pulled through for Dallas once again, sinking what would turn out to be the winning shot with 35 seconds left.
Unlike Dallas, the Hornets’ shot disappeared in the fourth period as their starters combined for 1-of-13 shooting. Although New Orleans held a double digit lead nearly halfway through the quarter, a 21-8 run by the Mavericks, jumpstarted by consecutive Jason Kidd three pointers, helped spur Dallas to victory, snapping the Hornets eight game winning streak.
“For three minutes at the end of the game,” said Jason Terry, “we just said ‘Who wants it more?’ and tonight, we were that team.”
Game 2, New Orleans: Mavericks 97, Hornets 99
After losing their first game of the season at the hands of the Mavericks, the Hornets should have been out for blood when the two teams met again 48 hours later in Hornets’ territory. However, over the course of the first 24 minutes, New Orleans looked completely discombobulated as they headed to the locker room at the half, down by double digits, 52-42.
Aside from the locale, the only thing that changed from Monday night was the fact that Caron Butler was again on the court for Dallas, although he really had little to no impact. It was again Dirk, with help from Kidd, Jet, and former New Orleans Hornet Tyson Chandler, who almost led this Mavericks team to victory. But in the second half, New Orleans started playing with pride, paying more attention on defense, and pulling out all the stops to ensure that their first TWO losses of the season would not both come at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.
David West, whom many Mavs fans may remember as “that dude who got up in Dirk’s grill” during the Mavs’ first round playoff loss (that eventually cost the Little General his job) to the Hornets a few seasons back, was again a thorn in the Mavs’ collective side. He stole the ball not once but TWICE in the final three seconds, when the Mavs would have had the chance to take the lead and ultimately win the game. With 2.7 seconds left, West swiped the ball from Dirk (who finished with a team high 29 points and 10 rebounds), got fouled, and split the free throws, before stealing Tyson Chandler’s inbound pass with two seconds left, sealing the victory for the Hornets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)