duncan228
04-17-2009, 10:54 PM
Spurs vs. Mavs matchups (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_vs_Mavs_matchups.html)
Express-News
Express-News Spurs beat writer Jeff McDonald profiles the key players and matchups in the Western Conference first-round series between the No. 3 seed Spurs and No. 6 seed Dallas Mavericks:
POINT GUARD
Spurs: (9) Tony Parker 6-2, 8th yr - Spurs’ healthiest and most consistent star this season, set career highs in scoring (22.2 ppg) and assists (6.9) and turned in 13 30-point outings. Averaged 31.3 ppg in four games vs. Mavs.
Mavericks: (2) Jason Kidd 6-4, 15th yr - Isn’t same point guard he was at career zenith but still remains one of game’s best all-around trigger men. Had three triple-doubles this season, including in season-closing win over Houston.
Edge: Spurs
SHOOTING GUARD
Spurs: (8) Roger Mason Jr. 6-5, 5th yr - Has cooled after sizzling start to season, but still ranked 15th in 3-point percentage (42.1) and 10th in makes (166). Regained stroke and confidence since replacing injured Manu Ginobili as starter.
Mavericks: (21) Antoine Wright 6-7, 4th yr - Former A&M standout, doesn’t provide much in way of offense. Most profound effect on series could come on defense — he’s sure to find himself assigned to Parker at some point.
Edge: Spurs
SMALL FORWARD
Spurs: (4) Michael Finley 6-7, 14th yr - Enjoyed most accurate season since joining Spurs (43.7 percent from field; 41.1 from 3-point range). Enters series on clutch streak, sinking buzzer-beating 3-pointers in two of final three games.
Mavericks: (5) Josh Howard$6-7, 6th yrBothered by a sore ankle for most of the season, the dynamic player still managed 18 points per game. His health will go a long way toward determining the Mavericks’ fate in series.
Edge: Mavericks
POWER FORWARD
Spurs: (21) Tim Duncan 6-11, 12th yr - Was on pace for best season in four years before knees began stiffening in February. If healthy and rested, still one of top playoff performers — 32.3 ppg and 11.7 rpg vs. Mavs in 2006 playoffs.
Mavericks: (41) Dirk Nowitzki 7-0, 11th yr- Always a tough cover for the Spurs, he ended the regular season on a roll. Scored 20-plus points in final 25 games to help Mavericks secure postseason berth and move up to sixth seed.
Edge: Spurs
CENTER
Spurs: (15) Matt Bonner 6-10, 5th yr - Perhaps the surprise of the season for the Spurs, emerging as a starter and 3-point ace. Has never been a key part of a playoff rotation, so how he responds to pressure will be critical.
Mavericks: (25) Erick Dampier 6-11, 13th yr - Hardly a flashy player, but he did lead Mavericks in field-goal percentage (64.9) and blocks per game (1.2). A rugged defender, but will likely have his hands full with Duncan.
Edge: Mavericks
BENCH
Spurs: Manu Ginobili is out, leaving relative newcomer Drew Gooden to provide scoring spark off bench. Ime Udoka surfaced as key sub down stretch, and defensive pest Bruce Bowen ought to get shot at guarding Nowitzki.
Mavericks: Player most likely to steal Ginobili’s sixth-man crown resides on Dallas bench — Jason Terry. Brandon Bass is one of the league’s more unheralded front-court players, while little J.J. Barea can get to double figures when he heats up.
Edge: Mavericks
COACH
Spurs: Gregg Popovich - Few coaches boast his playoff know-how. Ranks fourth in playoff winning percentage (.631) and third in wins (101). In preseason poll of league GMs, finished at top in most coaching categories.
Mavericks: Rick Carlisle - No stranger to postseason himself, made six appearances with Detroit and Indiana, taking Pistons to the Eastern finals in 2003. Generally regarded as one of NBA’s top offensive minds.
Edge: Spurs
PREDICTION
Spurs in 7
Express-News
Express-News Spurs beat writer Jeff McDonald profiles the key players and matchups in the Western Conference first-round series between the No. 3 seed Spurs and No. 6 seed Dallas Mavericks:
POINT GUARD
Spurs: (9) Tony Parker 6-2, 8th yr - Spurs’ healthiest and most consistent star this season, set career highs in scoring (22.2 ppg) and assists (6.9) and turned in 13 30-point outings. Averaged 31.3 ppg in four games vs. Mavs.
Mavericks: (2) Jason Kidd 6-4, 15th yr - Isn’t same point guard he was at career zenith but still remains one of game’s best all-around trigger men. Had three triple-doubles this season, including in season-closing win over Houston.
Edge: Spurs
SHOOTING GUARD
Spurs: (8) Roger Mason Jr. 6-5, 5th yr - Has cooled after sizzling start to season, but still ranked 15th in 3-point percentage (42.1) and 10th in makes (166). Regained stroke and confidence since replacing injured Manu Ginobili as starter.
Mavericks: (21) Antoine Wright 6-7, 4th yr - Former A&M standout, doesn’t provide much in way of offense. Most profound effect on series could come on defense — he’s sure to find himself assigned to Parker at some point.
Edge: Spurs
SMALL FORWARD
Spurs: (4) Michael Finley 6-7, 14th yr - Enjoyed most accurate season since joining Spurs (43.7 percent from field; 41.1 from 3-point range). Enters series on clutch streak, sinking buzzer-beating 3-pointers in two of final three games.
Mavericks: (5) Josh Howard$6-7, 6th yrBothered by a sore ankle for most of the season, the dynamic player still managed 18 points per game. His health will go a long way toward determining the Mavericks’ fate in series.
Edge: Mavericks
POWER FORWARD
Spurs: (21) Tim Duncan 6-11, 12th yr - Was on pace for best season in four years before knees began stiffening in February. If healthy and rested, still one of top playoff performers — 32.3 ppg and 11.7 rpg vs. Mavs in 2006 playoffs.
Mavericks: (41) Dirk Nowitzki 7-0, 11th yr- Always a tough cover for the Spurs, he ended the regular season on a roll. Scored 20-plus points in final 25 games to help Mavericks secure postseason berth and move up to sixth seed.
Edge: Spurs
CENTER
Spurs: (15) Matt Bonner 6-10, 5th yr - Perhaps the surprise of the season for the Spurs, emerging as a starter and 3-point ace. Has never been a key part of a playoff rotation, so how he responds to pressure will be critical.
Mavericks: (25) Erick Dampier 6-11, 13th yr - Hardly a flashy player, but he did lead Mavericks in field-goal percentage (64.9) and blocks per game (1.2). A rugged defender, but will likely have his hands full with Duncan.
Edge: Mavericks
BENCH
Spurs: Manu Ginobili is out, leaving relative newcomer Drew Gooden to provide scoring spark off bench. Ime Udoka surfaced as key sub down stretch, and defensive pest Bruce Bowen ought to get shot at guarding Nowitzki.
Mavericks: Player most likely to steal Ginobili’s sixth-man crown resides on Dallas bench — Jason Terry. Brandon Bass is one of the league’s more unheralded front-court players, while little J.J. Barea can get to double figures when he heats up.
Edge: Mavericks
COACH
Spurs: Gregg Popovich - Few coaches boast his playoff know-how. Ranks fourth in playoff winning percentage (.631) and third in wins (101). In preseason poll of league GMs, finished at top in most coaching categories.
Mavericks: Rick Carlisle - No stranger to postseason himself, made six appearances with Detroit and Indiana, taking Pistons to the Eastern finals in 2003. Generally regarded as one of NBA’s top offensive minds.
Edge: Spurs
PREDICTION
Spurs in 7