Mavs At Nuggets Previews Game One

[duncan228]

NBA Playoff Preview - Denver vs. Dallas (http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4229600)
By John McMullen

Denver Nuggets: 2nd Seed, West (54-28)

Dallas Mavericks: 6th Seed, West (50-32)

(Sports Network) - Trading for Chauncey Billups has certainly paid off for the Northwest Division champion Denver Nuggets.

The playoff-tested Billups, who was acquired from Detroit early this season, is the pure point guard George Karl has lacked since arriving in the Rocky Mountains.

Billups' presence has already helped Denver win a postseason series for the first time in 15 years after the club dismantled New Orleans in five games during the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Now, the second-seeded Nuggets move on to face the upstart Dallas Mavericks in the West semifinals beginning Sunday at the Pepsi Center. The sixth-seeded Mavs dispatched of San Antonio, also in five games.

With Billups running the show this season the Nuggets have earned home-court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 1988, tied a franchise record for regular season wins with 54 and snapped an ugly six series losing streak in the first round of the playoffs.

Star forward Carmelo Anthony finished with 34 points in the Game 5 clincher against the Hornets on Wednesday, as Denver pulled away for a 107-86 win. The Nuggets won the series in dominating fashion, having taken each of its victories by double digits -- including a 121-63 shellacking in Game 4 that matched the largest margin of defeat in NBA playoff history.

The victory gave the Nuggets their first playoff series win since 1994, when they defeated Seattle in the West quarters. Meanwhile, Billups, who led the Pistons to six straight Eastern Conference finals and the 2004 NBA title, helped Anthony get out of the first round after five straight losses.

"Our confidence is very high right now," Billups said. "We're feeling really good about how we're playing, about the unselfishness of the team and how we're locked in on defensive coverages and stuff. We're feeling really good."

Mark Cuban's Mavs, meanwhile, moved on when Dirk Nowitzki poured home 31 points with nine rebounds and Jason Terry, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, added 19 points off the bench, as Dallas secured its quarterfinals series with a comfortable 106-93 victory over San Antonio in the Alamo City on Tuesday.

The Spurs, who were playing without last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Manu Ginobili, lost in the opening round for the first time since 2000 and were bested in a first round series for the first time with perennial All-Star Tim Duncan.

"To win two games on the road in a tough environment was good," said Nowitzki. "It felt like we couldn't get out of the first round since we made it to the Finals. It's a big step for us and our role players played great throughout the whole series."

Denver dominated its series with the Mavs in the regular season, winning all four contests but most of the games were very close. The Nuggets beat Dallas by three, 10, two and two points in the four contests.

Meanwhile, The teams have met just one time in the postseason, a 4-2 Dallas win in the West semis in 1988.

MATCHUPS:

POINT GUARD: When you talk MVP candidates, you usually think of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade or Chris Paul. But, Billups deserves consideration this year and outplayed Paul in the quarterfinals, averaging 22.6 points and 7.4 assists. His unselfishness and ability to get everyone involved can't be underestimated.

Chauncey averaged 17.7 points and 6.4 assists per game during the regular season but numbers don't begin to tell the story. Billups' floor game is unparalleled. He rarely turns the ball over and shoots a mind-number 91.3 percent from the free throw line, making him the ultimate ball-handler in late game situations. Billups had 37 assists versus just six turnovers against the Hornets, a better than 6-to-1 ratio, almost incomprehensible against a defender like Paul. His free throw percentage actually went up to 94.7 percent and he stroked 19-of-29 three-pointers in the set, a sizzling 65.5 percent clip.

Jason Kidd isn't exactly chopped liver for the Mavs, however. The veteran is still one of the game's best distributors and was one of just three NBA players this year to notch three-or- more triple doubles, joining James (seven) and Paul (six).

Overall, Kidd scored 9.0 ppg and dished out 8.7 assists during the regular season but his jump shot was as iffy as ever, nailing just 41.6 percent of his shots from the floor.

J-Kidd's offensive numbers went up in the first round, scoring 10.0 ppg but his assists were down to 5.6 as he lost minutes since he couldn't check the lightning fast Tony Parker. Billups isn't nearly as quick as Parker so Kidd should be able to play more minutes in this set.

EDGE: NUGGETS


SHOOTING GUARD: Coming into the Hornets series Dahntay Jones was the starter in name only for the Nuggets. Sharp-shooter J.R. Smith comes off the bench to provide instant offense and play the majority of minutes and Jones averaged just 5.4 points per game during the regular season, although he did shoot the ball pretty well at 45.8 percent. Against New Orleans, Jones was far more important as he shadowed Paul on the defensive end, freeing up Billups, and provided more offense than expected, upping his scoring output to 8.2 ppg.

The Mavs' Jose Juan Barea gives the team two solid ball-handlers in the backcourt. Barea contributed 10.0 points and 4.6 assists apg against the Spurs, and gives Dallas coach Rick Carlisle a lot of options when running the offense.

EDGE: EVEN


CENTER: When Motivated, the Mavs' Erick Dampier is a plodding pivot that can be a presence on the glass and a deterrent to anyone with a desire to drive the lane. His offense leaves a lot to be desired, however, although he did contribute 8.4 points along with 8.4 rebounds in the first round of the playoffs.

Denver counters with a much more skilled big man in Nene. The Brazilian star isn't thought of as an elite center but put up some nice numbers this season, averaging 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting a robust 60.4 percent from the floor. His scoring numbers went way down in the first round (9.0) but he stayed consistent on the boards (7.8).

Nene doesn't offer a particularly threatening presence on the defensive end but has improved that aspect of his game as well.

EDGE: NUGGETS


SMALL FORWARD: Although snubbed for the All-Star game this year, Anthony is one of the top 15 players in the game and a tough matchup for anyone. The former Syracuse standout's numbers weren't as big as normal in the regular season, netting 22.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg but he provides Karl a deadly pick-and- roll option with Billups in the closing minutes of games. Anthony improved to 24.0 points per game against New Orleans and added 6.0 rpg and 5.2 apg

The athletic Josh Howard is Dallas' most unheralded player. Howard missed 30 games this season with a balky ankle but was very productive (18.0, 5.1 rpg) when on the floor and scored with consistency from inside and out. He averaged 18.8 ppg against the Spurs in the opening round of the postseason, second on the team. Howard isn't Anthony but he ain't bad.

EDGE: NUGGETS


POWER FORWARD: Denver's Kenyon Martin plays as hard as ever and is quite the defensive presence and rebounder when on the floor. Overall, Martin averaged 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game on the year and stayed relatively steady in the first round of the postseason.

The Mavs, meanwhile, sport All-Star Dirk Nowitzki at power forward. The German star filled it up to the tune of 25.9 ppg and 8.4 rpg during the regular season. The former MVP finished the season with 26 double-doubles and tied a career-high for 30-point games in a season with 26.

Things come much tougher in the postseason but Nowitzki still managed to score 19.2 ppg and add 8.6 rpg against the Spurs. He also shot a solid 49.3 from the floor in the first round but was an uncharacteristic 1-of-8 from long range.

EDGE: MAVERICKS


BENCH:Karl has one star coming off the bench and a number of nice role players. Smith has developed into one of the game's dominant three-point specialists and rang up a career-high 45 points after shooting 11-of-18 from beyond in a late season game against Sacramento. For the year, Smith averaged 15.2 ppg and shot 39.7 percent from long range, nailing 180 total threes. He improved that to 16 ppg in the first round, shooting 42.4 percent from the land of three. He does, however, take bad shots that will frustrate Karl at times.

If Karl needs extra scoring, he can look to Linas Kleiza, who averaged 9.9 points and knocked down 87 threes on the year. Chris Andersen brings shot- blocking, rebounding and defense, while Anthony Carter can spell Billups in the backcourt.

Terry has been money all year, netting 19.6 points per game in the regular season, second on the team to Nowitzki. The playoffs have been more of a struggle and Terry scored just 13.4 ppg and shot only 38.1 percent against San Antonio.

Meanwhile, guard Antoine Wright and forward Brandon Bass have also given Carlisle effective minutes on a nightly basis.

EDGE: EVEN


PREDICTION: It's hard to imagine Billups playing at the same level for another series but his presence and playoff-tested mettle can't be underestimated. The Nuggets swept the season series with Dallas but three of the four contests were one-possession games. I like Billups and Anthony running the pick-and- roll in that situation over Terry and Nowitzki.

NUGGETS in 6.

[Shank]

He forgot the coaching advantage

Carlisle > Karl

And that's bullshit about the benches being even. Mavs bench runs deeper. While I'll give a nod to the Nuggets if JR Smith is on, you also have to give them the disadvantage if he comes out and is chucking up balls from half-court.

And no mention of Barea?

Mavs in 6.

[Ghazi]

I'm not sure how this series is gonna go. I keep going back and forth between optimism and pessimism.

3 keys though.

1. Josh has to play well
2. Dirk has to be best player in series
3. Terry needs to outplay JR

[Shank]

No way Denver defends Dirk as well as San Antonio did. K-Mart, my ass.

[duncan228]

Nuggets-Mavs series breakdown (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/scott_howard-cooper/05/01/nuggets.mavericks/index.html)
Scott Howard-Cooper
SI.com

OVERVIEW: The conference semifinal no one saw coming at the start of the season. Both teams were supposedly on the way out, with an evolving backslide in Dallas and dramatic salary cuts in Denver that drew a straight line to a shove into lotterydom. Bad call times two. Then the playoffs come and the Nuggets get the Hornets while the Mavericks draw the Spurs; try finding many people on Opening Night who take Denver and Dallas.

Yet here they are, decidedly. The Nuggets beat New Orleans so badly, it called the Hornets' heart into question. The Mavs needed just five games to eliminate San Antonio, an accomplishment for a perceived underdog no matter the physical state of the Spurs.

The regular season was Denver 4, Dallas 0. But three of the wins were by a combined seven points. The other was 10.

***

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. What becomes of Dirk Nowitzki? Beating San Antonio looks all the more impressive when it comes without a monster offensive game from Nowitzki. But it's only a matter of time before the Mavs are going to need more than 19.2 points in the five games and eight three-point attempts. Total. That time is now.

2. Chauncey Billups vs. Jason Kidd. Who are we kidding? Billups vs. Anybody gets great buildup after his first round of 22.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 65.5 percent on threes. Somebody up there must not like Kidd. His 2008 playoff matchup: Chris Paul. His '09 playoff matchups: Tony Parker and the streaking Billups.

3. Jason Terry vs. J.R. Smith. One more head-to-head. High-scoring reserve guard on high-scoring reserve guard. Dallas needs the Terry who won the Sixth Man Award, not the Jet who shot 38.1 percent in the first round.

***

X-FACTORS

The Nuggets will undoubtedly come with the same aggressive approach that overwhelmed and frustrated New Orleans. The Mavs have to prove they can stand up to that better than in the past. Denver, meanwhile, is in a great place emotionally, but American Airlines Center in the playoffs is a special place. Bring ear plugs, Nuggets.

***

UNDER THE RADAR: That ankle problem that cost Josh Howard 11 games late in the regular season? He just averaged 18.8 points and shot 49.2 percent against the Spurs, followed by the added benefit of extended rest before the second round. Carmelo Anthony is a tough enough draw for a healthy defender. If Howard labors, the Mavs will either have to juggle lineups or assignments. If Howard moves well enough to keep up, Anthony-Howard becomes a nice matchup.

***

PREDICTION: Nuggets in 6. As well as Dallas has played, at the end of the regular season and in dispatching the Spurs, Denver is going even better. The Nuggets are stopping the ball -- from 14th in shooting defense in '07-08 to fourth in '08-09 -- and getting important offensive contributions from Billups, Anthony and Smith. They're generally crushing people these days. That's too much for the Mavs to counter.

[KSeal]

Nuggets take this series in five.

[duncan228]

Mavs don’t fear Nuggets, despite 0-4 season series (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-mavericks-miningthenuggets&prov=ap&type=lgns)
By Jaime Aron

To get ready for a second-round series against the Denver Nuggets, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle watched film, analyzed matchups and studied statistics.

One thing jumped out at him.

“That we were 0-4,” Carlisle said, “and struggled with them.”

Gulp.

While that’s not exactly the kind of line to put on T-shirts or billboards, it’s also no reason for alarm, as Carlisle explained.

“At this point, I don’t know how relevant that really is,” he said Friday. “There were injuries and a lot of different things going on during the year. It’s a new start.”

Carlisle’s recognition that the regular season stunk but the slate is wiped clean now is among many good news/bad news scenarios to this series from the Dallas perspective.

It’s also one of the few that is at least somewhat tipped toward the Mavs’ side.

Start with the fact the Mavericks are playing better than they have all season … and that the Nuggets are, too. Denver just crushed New Orleans by record margins in the first round, and the Hornets managed to beat the Nuggets twice in the regular season.

Dallas could take solace in losses to Denver being by only three, two and two points … except the Mavs lost an NBA-low four games by such small margins and three were against the Nuggets.

There’s also this: Dallas is 17-1 at home since the All-Star break. The lone exception? Yep, you guessed it.

NBA history is no help either.

According to research by STATS LLC, four teams that were winless against a conference foe in the regular season found a way to beat that squad in a playoff series—but none pulled it off in a seven-game series. Seattle (0-5 in the regular season) did it against Dallas in 1987; in 1989, Michael Jordan and Chicago (0-6) did it against Cleveland, and Milwaukee (0-6) did it to Atlanta; and in 1998 the Hawks endured it again, falling to Charlotte (0-4).

Then again, these Mavericks know all about painful playoff firsts. Just two years ago, they became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a seven-game series to a No. 8 seed.

“The playoffs is a new animal, a new season really,” Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki said. “If you look at it, you go through 82 games really for nothing. … We’re full of confidence right now and we all know this league is all about confidence. I think we’re playing well at the right time and they are too.”

One way for the Mavericks to convince themselves that bygones are bygones is looking at their starting lineups from those four games.

Jason Terry started the first one; he went to the bench soon after and was named the NBA’s top sixth man. Devean George started the next one, in place of the injured Josh Howard, and now George is out following knee surgery. Gerald Green has gone from starting the January game to being buried at the end of the bench. And, on March 27, James Singleton and Terry started because Howard and Jason Kidd were out with injuries.

“We’re healthy now,” Terry said. “That’s probably the biggest difference.”

Until Game 1 on Sunday, the second-seeded Nuggets are clearly the favorite. But that alone gives the sixth-seeded Mavericks one benefit Denver can’t have this round—underdog status.

“The pressure is not on us throughout this whole playoff run,” Nowitzki said, noting Dallas already pulled off one upset by beating the third-seeded Spurs in the first round. “Usually the team with home-court advantage is the favorites, and they earned it. They’ve played well all season long. So we’ll just see what happens. It should be a fun matchup.”

[duncan228]

Mavericks expect physical series from Nuggets (http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1353424.html)
By Eddie Sefco

DALLAS — The Denver Nuggets have street cred. They have an edge. They are tough guys, although with a level-headed leader at point guard.

New Orleans received a heavy dose of in-your-face in the first round of the playoffs. The Nuggets took Chris Paul out of the series, something nobody had been able to do previously, and physically dominated the Hornets.

The last time the Mavericks had this kind of challenge confronting them, Don Nelson and Stephen Jackson were the villains.

We all know how that turned out in 2007.

So what do these Mavericks have to say about the nasty Nuggets?

"Stuff’s going to happen in every series," Dirk Nowitzki said Friday. "That’s just what the playoffs are all about. Guys are going to run into each other and have a few words and they got some guys who like to talk and play physical.

"So I’m sure sooner or later in the series something is going to happen. But that’s what it’s all about. You can’t lose your cool."

Just about every team that plays the Mavericks in the playoffs tries to out-physical them. Last season, New Orleans’ David West gave Nowitzki a tap on the cheek — and received no angry response — that summed up the Hornets’ superiority in that first-round series.

Two years ago, it was Jackson dogging Nowitzki into the worst playoff series of his career.

"Are we known as a physical team? That’s what everybody else is saying," Kenyon Martin said. "We came into the playoffs with a mind-set that we’re going to be the aggressors on both ends. If my ballclub is labeled the aggressor, I’ll take that. It’s better than being known as soft. I don’t know much, but I guarantee that."

Nowitzki called Martin "one of the toughest defenders at my position." Nuggets coach George Karl said he plans to let Martin try to guard Nowitzki one-on-one, at least to start the series.

Can it really be much tougher than the Spurs’ defense, though?

"They play on the edge," Nowitzki said. "We have to be ready for a physical battle, especially up there. They aren’t going to call every foul."

But the Mavericks believe they received a jolt of confidence that they can handle anything thrown their way with the first-round take-down of San Antonio.

Still, the Nuggets will be a big change from the Spurs.

"It’s a different level of athlete we’ll see, top to bottom," coach Rick Carlisle said. "There’s going to be technicals and flagrants in the playoffs. We always talk about the importance of keeping our aggression, but also having poise. Denver is an aggressive team, but so are we."

The Mavericks still don’t strike fear into opponents from a physically intimidating standpoint. But they have become mentally tougher this season, a trait that can be traced to Jason Kidd’s arrival

Asked about the Nuggets’ zest for mixing it up, Kidd said: "We’re not going to back down. They probably will be physical. But this is the playoffs. We’ll be fine."

That sense of calm is what helped the Mavericks in the opening round and should serve them well in what figures to be an edgy, emotional series against Denver.

So what happens when things get testy?

"Maybe there for a moment, you have a little scuffle," Nowitzki said. "But you don’t want to throw punches or leave the bench like we saw a couple of years ago with San Antonio and Phoenix. Stay calm, but also have emotion and play with fire. You got to control yourself."

It was 2007 when the Suns and Spurs had a late-game skirmish that cost Phoenix a suspension for Amare Stoudemire and probably altered the course of that series, eventually won by the Spurs in six games.

The Mavericks vow they will control themselves.

"I don’t see us going out there getting a whole bunch of technicals, that’s not our style," Jason Terry said. "We’ll let our play speak for itself and let them do the rest. If they get them [technical fouls], that’s cool for us. We’ll shoot free throws the whole game."

[BruceBowenFan]

i will take the nuggets in six.

[Biggems]

well now the Nuggets fans will get their turn to bitch about the bullshit calls that Dirk will get......Nuggets fans, just know when the whistles come after little to no contact on Dirk, even when he is on the perimeter, without the ball, and has no effect on the play.......I feel your angst.

Just hope that your team does a better job of guarding the perimeter....cause Kidd, Barea, Howard, Wright, and Terry were deadly from beyond the arc.....unfortunately for us Spurs fans, our fellas chose to leave the Mavs shooters wide open all series long.

If the Nuggets make their shots and play any assemblance of perimeter defense, they should win this one in no more than 6 games.

[duncan228]

Western Conference semifinal preview capsules (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-westsemifinalcapsules&prov=ap&type=lgns)
By Brian Mahoney

No. 2 DENVER NUGGETS (54-28, 4-1) vs. No. 6 DALLAS MAVERICKS (50-32, 4-1).
(regular season and playoff records):

Season series: Nuggets, 4-0. Denver won by two (twice), three and 10 points. Carmelo Anthony had a 43-point performance, averaged 31.3 points in three games, and the Nuggets won the one he missed when role players Dahntay Jones, Chris Andersen and Anthony Carter all scored in double figures. Dirk Nowitzki had four double-doubles, including a 44-point, 14-rebound game, and averaged 30 points and 11.3 rebounds, but his help was either inconsistent or injured. Josh Howard missed two games, joined by Jason Kidd in one of them. Outplayed by Chauncey Billups, Kidd missed 13 of 14 shots and totaled six points in the final two games he played.

Storyline: Two teams used to recent first-round failure finally advanced after strong finishes to the regular season. Denver reached the second round for the first time since 1994 by ousting New Orleans in five games, and Dallas eliminated San Antonio after consecutive first-round exits. The Mavs believe they’re playing well enough that their 0-4 record against the Nuggets means nothing.

Key matchup I: Anthony vs. Howard. Anthony was terrific offensively in the first round, averaging 24 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 46 percent from 3-point range. The Mavericks need Howard to control him while bringing the scoring he provided against the Hornets, when he averaged 18.8 points on 49 percent shooting.

Key matchup II: J.R. Smith vs. Jason Terry. Plenty of attention will be focused on the league’s two best sixth men, and not only because of Smith’s feud with Mavs owner Mark Cuban. Smith had two 20-point games against Dallas, but finished with two points on 1-of-14 shooting in the game he started for an injured Anthony. Terry, the winner of the sixth man award, will have to be sharper than he was in the first round, when he shot 38 percent and averaged 13.4 points—about six less than in the regular season.

X-factor: Nene. Relied on mostly for defense and rebounding, he scored 17 points per game against Dallas on 59 percent shooting. Erick Dampier is likely responsible for making sure he doesn’t hurt the Mavs that badly in this series.

Prediction: Nuggets in 6.

[dirk4mvp]

well now the Nuggets fans will get their turn to bitch about the bullshit calls that Dirk will get......Nuggets fans, just know when the whistles come after little to no contact on Dirk, even when he is on the perimeter, without the ball, and has no effect on the play.......I feel your angst.




U mad?

[duncan228]

Dallas at Denver Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2009050307&prov=ap)
Game info: 3:30 pm EDT Sun May 3, 2009
TV: ABC
By Arnie Stapleton

Move over Tony Parker and Chris Paul. Make way for the old guards.

The second-round series between Dallas and Denver that begins Sunday at the Pepsi Center features two veteran floor leaders in point guards Jason Kidd, 36, of the Mavericks and Chauncey Billups, 32, of the Nuggets.

“Two old dogs,” Kenyon Martin said.

One great matchup, proclaimed Nuggets coach George Karl and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

Kidd sent Parker packing along with the rest of the San Antonio Spurs, and Billups gave Paul and the New Orleans Hornets an early start on their summer break, too.

Billups and Kidd have met in the postseason before. Kidd’s Nets swept Billups’ Pistons in the 2003 Eastern Conference finals but bowed out to Detroit in the semifinals in ’04, when Billups got his ring.

“It’s been five years, they’re probably a step slower, but they’re smarter,” said Martin, who has a unique perspective on the matchup because he played with Kidd back then and he’s on Billups’ side now.

Billups said he hasn’t had to make concessions for age: “I’m still in my prime right now, so I haven’t had to.”

Kidd free acknowledges he’s changed his game as he’s gotten older, and Martin said Kidd’s only gotten better since they parted ways five years ago.

“The older you get, the more you have to think,” Martin said. “He’s always been a thinker on the court. But I think he’s thinking more than he ever has. I think that’s why they’re playing as well as they are.”

Billups is the main reason the Nuggets made it out of the first round for the first time in 15 years.

“Chauncey’s probably a better scorer than Jason is, but Jason’s probably a better passer,” Karl said. “But the orchestration of their teams, they’ve been doing it for years. Chauncey’s done it for six years (in Detroit) and now he’s done it for us. Jason was incredible for many, many years, and now he’s doing it with Dallas.”

Carlisle has coached both men. He had Billups in Detroit in 2003 before facing him with Indiana in the 2004 and ’05 playoffs.

“If you’re a young player who plays the point guard position, watch this series because you’re going to see two of the best and most experienced in the game,” Carlisle said. “And you’re going to see contrasting styles. Each guy leads his team in a different way.

“They lean on Chauncey for scoring a little more than we need to with Jason, but they both can put the ball in the hole, they both have a pulse on the players they’re playing with. It’s like a better basketball DVD - just stick around and watch it because you’ll see great play at that position.”

A blueprint on how to play the point?

“Well, that’s a great compliment,” Kidd said. “But when you look at Billups’ resume, he has a championship, he was the MVP, he’s been a winner wherever he’s gone. He’s come to Denver in the trade and changed the atmosphere here with some talented guys, so they’re probably watching him more than they’re watching me.

“For each of us, I think our careers have gotten better, but he has the trophy that I want.”

Billups considers this a wholly different challenge than he had in facing Paul, the Hornets’ ultra-quick All-Star point guard who was constantly hounded by double teams.

“With Jason you’ve got to worry about so many things,” Billups said. “He’s such a great rebounder, so you try to keep him off the glass. He’s a great standstill shooter, so you’ve got to try to keep him from spotting up. And he’s just one of the best facilitators of all time. Most of his damage he does is in transition and it’s tough to guard people in transition.”

What both men have in common is the know-how that comes from years of playoff experience.

“It’s big because as you advance each round it gets more challenging on every level,” Carlisle said. “The competition gets better, the intensity of the buildings, each guy has to manage the emotions of the younger players on his team. The respective leadership qualities of each guy will go a long way in deciding how well their teammates play. It’s a great matchup.”

Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki said besides being winners, “both of them a a lot of experience and they just carry something about themselves out there that makes you follow them. That should be a fun one to watch.”

Notes:

Mavs:

Notes G Jason Terry finished with 16 points for Dallas, which suffered one of the worst losses in the playoff rivalry. ... Dallas failed to send the Spurs to consecutive home playoff losses for the first time since 2002.

Nuggets:

April 22 G Chauncey Billups' previous playoff high for threes was seven at Orlando in 2003, and his regular season high was also seven, which he accomplished three times, the last on Jan. 11, 2004, against Dallas. ... C Nene briefly left the game after getting poked in his left eye by Devin Brown late in the third quarter. ... Grammy-award winning rapper Lil Wayne, a native of New Orleans, had a front-row seat.

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Dirk Nowitzki Dal 25.9
Carmelo Anthony Den 22.8

Rebounds
Dirk Nowitzki Dal 8.4
Nene Hilario Den 7.8

Assists
Jason Kidd Dal 8.7
Chauncey Billups Den 6.4

Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10

Dallas 50-32 3rd Southwest / 6th West 101.7 99.8 Road 18-23 Won 2 7-3

Denver 54-28 1st Northwest / 2nd West 104.3 100.9 Home 33-8 Lost 1 8-2

[UltimA]

I like the Nuggets in six, but Dallas could come through again.

[KSeal]

Both teams just shoot shots, but what if they don't go in?!?!?!?!

[KSeal]

Dampier can't drop points in the paint while Nene and Martin can?

:lol I was only joking around mocking SD.

[duncan228]

J.R. Smith a Nugget that could rock the series (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/dmoore/stories/050309dnspomoorecol.3b5acc8.html)
David Moore
Dallas Morning News

DENVER – Only hours remain before one of the NBA's juiciest rivalries is renewed.

Not the Mavericks and Denver Nuggets. I was talking about J.R. Smith and Mark Cuban. I'm sure the two have been tweeting back and forth in anticipation of today's Game 1.

"No," Smith said, throwing cold water on that theory. "We don't twitter."

Too bad. Based on previous exchanges between the two, it would be highly entertaining.

The relationship between one of the league's most volatile guards and its most volatile owner is a tantalizing subtext to this series. But the Mavericks have more strategic concerns.

The Mavericks knew there was only so much they could do against San Antonio's Tony Parker and Tim Duncan in the first round. Their defensive emphasis after that was to corral Roger Mason and Matt Bonner.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony will score in bunches, and Chauncey Billups will keep the Nuggets under control. These things will happen no matter what the Mavericks do defensively in this series.

What they can't do is let Smith get away from them.

"I always consider myself the X factor," Smith said. "At the end of the day, I feel as long as I play well, we win."

Smith is as important to the Nuggets as Jason Terry is to the Mavericks. He's the sixth man who can tip this series in Denver's favor with his superior athletic ability and 3-point marksmanship.

Terry deserved the league's Sixth Man award. Smith conceded that Saturday, saying the Mavericks guard started strong and was more consistent than him over the course of the season.

But Smith finished with a flourish. He averaged 17.8 points in March and 22.4 points in April. He had games of 28, 35 and 45 points in the final seven games of the regular season.

Denver coach George Karl likes to say he'll, "take wild, but I can't handle crazy" when it comes to Smith. He gladly takes what he's gotten from his young guard over the last two months.

"He's an energetic guy who can flat out put the ball in the basket," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. "When he comes in, he comes in guns-a-blazing.

"You have to know where he is and do a good job on him. Even when you guard him well, I mean, he can take one or two dribbles and jump over you and shoot from anywhere."

The Mavericks want to deny Smith the ball. The Nuggets often negate that by letting him bring the ball up the court. Dallas will jump him around the 3-point arch and try to get the ball out of his hands.

Antoine Wright will have the primary defensive responsibility of slowing Smith.

"You can't let him get into a rhythm," Wright said. "That's when he starts shooting them from half court.

"I always try to touch him, nag him a little bit, try to have him thinking more about me than he is about getting his shot off."

An elbow Smith threw in Wright's direction at the Pepsi Center in January is what sparked the verbal dispute between Smith and Cuban and eventually led to the latest fine for the Mavericks owner.

Several days ago, when asked about Cuban, Smith said, "I'm not a big fan of his and I think everybody knows that." He was more politic on the eve of the series opener.

"He's a funny guy to go at it with," Smith said. "I mean, he's one of the better owners in the league. He really cares about his team and the players. So, it's fun."

No tweets. But has he gotten any e-mails from Cuban?

"Not yet," Smith said. "I'm sure by Game 3, he will send something.

"I'm sure he's going to say something and we will come back with something."

Let the rivalry resume.

[DAF86]

Worst second round matchup ever.

[Amarelooms]

Worst second round matchup ever.

Lol Spurs being in the second round would be the worst ever :elephant

[KSeal]

Tomorrows game will be close at half but then Denver will pull away in the second half and handle things easily.

[duncan228]

Preview: (2) Nuggets vs. (6) Mavericks (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Preview_2_Nuggets_vs_6_Mavericks.html)
Express-News

Season series: Nuggets won 4-0.

Key matchup: Kenyon Martin vs. Dirk Nowitzki — After being double-teamed on nearly every possession of the Mavericks’ first-round series against the Spurs, Nowitzki figures to get single coverage from Martin, who has become George Karl’s best interior defender. Martin will have help near the rim from Nenê and Chris Andersen, so expect Nowitzki to go often to his nearly unstoppable fadeaway jumper. Martin will try to take Nowitzki inside at the other end of the court and make him use energy.

Nuggets can win if: Chauncey Billups continues to make 3-pointers like they’re layins, and makes the right decision on nearly every possession as he did against Chris Paul and the Hornets in the first round. He will have to keep Jason Kidd from creating easy shots for his teammates.

Mavericks can win if: Josh Howard is the best small forward in the series. Howard took advantage of the Spurs’ defensive game plan that focused heavily on stopping Nowitzki and Jason Terry. If the Nuggets use a similar plan, the Mavs can win if Howard outscores Carmelo Anthony.

Prediction: Nuggets in seven

- Mike Monroe

[UltimA]

Worst second round matchup ever.Spurs/Nuggets would have been so much better. :toast

[Ghazi]

I really don't think the Nuggets are THAT good.

Keep in mind there was a stretch post ASB where they went 3-8, lost by 40+ to Nets/KGless Celtics, and had slumped to 7th in West. They feasted on lottery teams for 12 of the next 14 games, going 13-1, creating the mirage that they were getting "hot" going into the postseason when it was just the easy stretch of their schedule. The 2 non-lottery teams (Hornets, Mavs) were without 2 starters too.Talk about convenient!

Then in the playoffs they played the 9th best team in the West, NOLA.

So they're not world beaters by any means. The winner of this series probably has NO chance against LA.

At the same time, if we're looking at the ENTIRE body of work, the Mavs had a season sprinkled with close calls against lottery teams and blowout losses to good/lottery teams.

But both teams are 22-22 against winning teams I believe.

But the physicality and athleticism of the Nuggets of course, is concerning. And going 0-4 against them in regular season, despite the circumstances/injuries, is an ominous sign.

still , MAVS in fucking SIX!

[DaDakota]

Ah the meaningless series....neither of these teams can beat the Lakers or Rockets.

DD

[pauls931]

I could actually like Dallas if...

1. Cuban leaves.
2. Terry leaves.
3. A colangelo runs the show.

[dirk4mvp]

Good thing they're not in business to please some douche suns fan.

[pauls931]

Good thing they're not in business to please some douche suns fan.

Man what with all the personal attacks, mavs fans are edgy these days, be happy you´re in the playoffs.

[shelshor]

Referee Assignments
Sun. May 3
Dallas @ Denver: D. Crawford, D. Jones, T. Washington

[BUMP]

Man what with all the personal attacks, mavs fans are edgy these days, be happy you´re in the playoffs.

That's true.

Atleast i'm not a fan of a team that constantly gets owned by the same teams year in year out, and their whole fanbase knows it but the organization refuses to make changes. It's like you know when and where your gonna fail.

God that must suck.

[Amarelooms]

Ah the meaningless series....neither of these teams can beat the Lakers or Rockets.

DD

Mavs could beat the Rockets...stop smoking that shit douche bag :elephant

[BUMP]

It must suck to finally advance to the second round for the first time in 12 years only to be swept in humiliating fashion to end your season.

[sribb43]

Fuck Melo, Fuck JR Smith and Fuck Jones....see you after the game

[Banzai]

should be a good game.

[Shank]

If the Nuggets lose, JR Smith has already vowed to ceremoniously murder another one of his best friends.

[UltimA]

should be a good game.I agree, I think both teams have a chance to win the series.

[jack sommerset]

I'm thinking the Nuggets will be toooooo confident. Lets not forget this team has sucked for years. Nuggets will lose 1 of the first 2 and that will cost them the series.

[Shank]

I agree, I think both teams have a chance to win the series.

At least basketball fans, for the most part, are giving the Mavs more of a chance than the general media is.

Same goes for the Rockets - I think they go deep into the 2nd round against the Lakers.

[UltimA]

At least basketball fans, for the most part, are giving the Mavs more of a chance than the general media is.

Same goes for the Rockets - I think they go deep into the 2nd round against the Lakers.First time i've seen a Mavericks fan quote me and say something worthy.

I honestly think Dallas can beat Denver, especially if they can shoot the ball well and get offensive rebounds.

[sribb43]

K-Mart will get a flagrant foul today against Dirk...book it

[duncan228]

Mavs gearing up for physical series with hard-nosed Nuggets (http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/art_garcia/05/02/mavs.nuggets.preview/)
By Art Garcia, NBA.com

DENVER -- The Mavericks are well aware of the technical and flagrant fouls that were flying around in the Denver-New Orleans series. The Nuggets roughed up the Hornets pretty good during the five-game set.

Denver now turns its attention to Dallas for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Sunday afternoon at the Pepsi Center. Count on the Nuggets mixing it up from the start.

"That's their style of play," Dallas guard Jason Terry said. "Their brand of basketball is physical. We know how to adapt and adjust to it. I don't see us going out there and getting a whole bunch of technicals. That's not our style."

Terry's been known to lose his head before, but the Mavericks have never had a tough-guy rep. They were tagged as "soft" years ago by Nick Van Exel and the label stuck in some circles. The Nuggets really don't care.

"We're out to win a basketball series," Denver forward Kenyon Martin said. "If they're labeled soft, it's not our concern."

Whether the softy tag is warranted, critics need only to point at the first-round flameouts the previous two years. Dallas did out-muscle San Antonio in winning a playoff series for the first time since 2006, becoming the first sixth seed to beat a No. 3 since 2006.

"You come out of a series with your rival, what better preparation for a series like Denver," Terry said. "That was a physical series for us. We know Denver is a physical team. We have to match their physicality and not back down."

The Nuggets swept the season series (4-0), and though both sides maintain that hardly matters in the Playoffs, Denver coach George Karl wasn't going to completely dismiss the psychological edge.

"There's a subconscious confidence that comes from winning," he said.

The Northwest Division-winning Nuggets are the second seed behind the Lakers. Their roster is stocked with tough-as-leather characters -- Martin, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Nene and Chris Andersen -- who don't know how to back down.

"They're a different animal," Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "I don't think anybody in this league can play as physical and athletic as they can from top to bottom."

Added Mavs coach Rick Carlisle: "It's a different type series for us. It's a different level of athlete that we're going to see from top to bottom. Denver is long, athletic. They're a great rebounding team."

Nowitzki said they're preparing for a "battle" and "you can't lose your cool." Along with an emphasis on rebounding and taking care of the ball, Carlisle stressed the importance of staying poised.

The Mavericks' composure will be tested.

"They have some guys who like to talk and play physical," Nowitzki said, "so I'm sure at some point sooner or later in the series something is going to happen."

The Spurs focused their defensive pressure on Nowitzki and Terry, at least through the first four games.

San Antonio fronted Nowitzki at the high post, usually with smaller defenders, but don't look for the Nuggets to do the same. Martin, one of the league's quickest and strongest power forwards, is prepared to guard Nowitzki straight up.

"Won't need no help," Martin promised. "I can guard anybody in this league."

The trick, Martin said, is to force Nowitzki to work at both ends of the court. When he wasn't guarding Tim Duncan in the San Antonio series, Nowitzki wasn't under constant attack at the defensive end. The Nuggets are considerably more potent on the block than the Spurs.

"Make him play defense on the defensive end and try to make it as difficult as possible on the offensive end," Martin said of Nowitzki. "He's going to get his touches, he's going to make shots, but once he makes one of them difficult, fade-away step-backs, just keep doing the things that I've been doing all along. I'm not going to shut him out. I'm just trying to make it as tough as possible."

That's what the Nuggets do.

[DaDakota]

Mavs could beat the Rockets...stop smoking that shit douche bag :elephant


The Mavs could not beat the Lakers or the Rockets......they are a jump shooting team that plays no defense.

The Rockets would destroy them.

DD