duncan228
04-13-2010, 11:35 PM
Mavericks hope to build on momentum in regular-season finale (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/041410dnspomavslede.40027a1.html)
By Eddie Sefko / The Dallas Morning News
The Mavericks are one of the smartest teams in the NBA, thanks largely to Jason Kidd, but when it comes to finishing out the regular season tonight, there's one thing they cannot do.
Don't over think it.
They very well could be seeing their first-round opponent when San Antonio steps on the floor at American Airlines Center. At least, part of their first-round opponent, given that Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich has been known to sit his heavy lifters in situations like this.
But for the Mavericks, they have been on such an impressive run lately, the last thing they want to do is change anything.
Oh, maybe the minutes get a little shorter for Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. But beyond that, they would like nothing better than to finish the season on a five-game winning streak and head into the playoffs with a mountain of momentum.
Since San Antonio is the most likely first-round playoff opponent, neither team is likely to show much in the way of strategy. The Mavericks would like to win it, with a minimum of players logging heavy minutes.
But no matter what, they like where they're at.
"Where we want to be defensively, offensively and the mental part, we're right there," Kidd said. "Dress rehearsal is almost over now. This is the real deal. We took care of business and did what we had to do. Now we got to find a way to win four games against whoever we play."
That remains in question going into the last day of the regular season, although a Mavericks win tonight ensures it would be the Spurs in the first round, starting either Saturday or Sunday.
"There's a lot of history there, if that's the case," Kidd said.
It would be the third time in the last five postseasons the teams have met.
Of more importance to the Mavericks is that they have their heads on straight now after reinventing themselves midstream with a blockbuster trade.
They went 3-0 on the final road trip of the season.
"Our goal the last few games was the No. 2 seed," Nowitzki said. "We won at Portland against a team that we hadn't beaten all season, so that was a nice win for us, then we really came out firing at Sacramento and LA. Now we [finish it up] and we really want to get that No. 2 seed."
Nowitzki was just as impressed with the way the Mavericks came out and smoked lesser teams like the Kings and Clippers as he was with the alley fight they won at Portland.
"Everybody's been focused and starting the games off well, which has been most of our problems," he said. "I think everybody's ready for a fun playoff run. We're a deep team. We're a good team and hopefully we'll stay healthy."
Barkley weighs in: During a TNT teleconference Tuesday, Charles Barkley had this to say about the Mavericks:
"Dallas to me is the wild card. I thought they would come in second because of the schedule, but if they lost to Phoenix, Utah or San Antonio, you can't say [you're shocked].
"We'd all be shocked if the Lakers didn't get to the Finals, but as far as those other teams, I think they are all good, solid teams. It's going to be fun."
*********************
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks preview (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/041410dnspomavscap.4004424.html)
Eddie Sefko
Scouting the Spurs
They have won their last two, including a 133-111 demolition of Minnesota in which no Spurs starter played more than 23 minutes and all 12 players saw at least 12 minutes of playing time. In other words, don't expect to see much more than a cameo from Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili tonight. ... Their win Monday was their 50th of the season, extending their streak of 50-win seasons to 11, the second longest streak in league history behind the Lakers, who won 50 12 times in a row from 1979 to 1991. ... The Spurs rely heavily on their bench, which leads the league in scoring at 39 points per game. ... George Hill returned Monday after missing four games with an ankle injury, scoring six points and dishing out three assists while starting ahead of Tony Parker.
Scouting the Mavericks
They will be trying to win their 55th game of the season, which would be their most since 2006-07 and tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... On the 3-0 road trip, Dirk Nowitzki averaged 34.7 points and Jason Kidd averaged 8.3 points, 10.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds. ... Opponents shot .433 on the trip. ... While the Spurs have a strong bench, so do the Mavericks. The reserves have accounted for 92 points in the last two games, both blowouts. ... Erick Dampier continues to start at center, but coach Rick Carlisle has said he reserves the right to juggle Dampier and Brendan Haywood in and out of the lineup.
By Eddie Sefko / The Dallas Morning News
The Mavericks are one of the smartest teams in the NBA, thanks largely to Jason Kidd, but when it comes to finishing out the regular season tonight, there's one thing they cannot do.
Don't over think it.
They very well could be seeing their first-round opponent when San Antonio steps on the floor at American Airlines Center. At least, part of their first-round opponent, given that Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich has been known to sit his heavy lifters in situations like this.
But for the Mavericks, they have been on such an impressive run lately, the last thing they want to do is change anything.
Oh, maybe the minutes get a little shorter for Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. But beyond that, they would like nothing better than to finish the season on a five-game winning streak and head into the playoffs with a mountain of momentum.
Since San Antonio is the most likely first-round playoff opponent, neither team is likely to show much in the way of strategy. The Mavericks would like to win it, with a minimum of players logging heavy minutes.
But no matter what, they like where they're at.
"Where we want to be defensively, offensively and the mental part, we're right there," Kidd said. "Dress rehearsal is almost over now. This is the real deal. We took care of business and did what we had to do. Now we got to find a way to win four games against whoever we play."
That remains in question going into the last day of the regular season, although a Mavericks win tonight ensures it would be the Spurs in the first round, starting either Saturday or Sunday.
"There's a lot of history there, if that's the case," Kidd said.
It would be the third time in the last five postseasons the teams have met.
Of more importance to the Mavericks is that they have their heads on straight now after reinventing themselves midstream with a blockbuster trade.
They went 3-0 on the final road trip of the season.
"Our goal the last few games was the No. 2 seed," Nowitzki said. "We won at Portland against a team that we hadn't beaten all season, so that was a nice win for us, then we really came out firing at Sacramento and LA. Now we [finish it up] and we really want to get that No. 2 seed."
Nowitzki was just as impressed with the way the Mavericks came out and smoked lesser teams like the Kings and Clippers as he was with the alley fight they won at Portland.
"Everybody's been focused and starting the games off well, which has been most of our problems," he said. "I think everybody's ready for a fun playoff run. We're a deep team. We're a good team and hopefully we'll stay healthy."
Barkley weighs in: During a TNT teleconference Tuesday, Charles Barkley had this to say about the Mavericks:
"Dallas to me is the wild card. I thought they would come in second because of the schedule, but if they lost to Phoenix, Utah or San Antonio, you can't say [you're shocked].
"We'd all be shocked if the Lakers didn't get to the Finals, but as far as those other teams, I think they are all good, solid teams. It's going to be fun."
*********************
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks preview (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/041410dnspomavscap.4004424.html)
Eddie Sefko
Scouting the Spurs
They have won their last two, including a 133-111 demolition of Minnesota in which no Spurs starter played more than 23 minutes and all 12 players saw at least 12 minutes of playing time. In other words, don't expect to see much more than a cameo from Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili tonight. ... Their win Monday was their 50th of the season, extending their streak of 50-win seasons to 11, the second longest streak in league history behind the Lakers, who won 50 12 times in a row from 1979 to 1991. ... The Spurs rely heavily on their bench, which leads the league in scoring at 39 points per game. ... George Hill returned Monday after missing four games with an ankle injury, scoring six points and dishing out three assists while starting ahead of Tony Parker.
Scouting the Mavericks
They will be trying to win their 55th game of the season, which would be their most since 2006-07 and tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... On the 3-0 road trip, Dirk Nowitzki averaged 34.7 points and Jason Kidd averaged 8.3 points, 10.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds. ... Opponents shot .433 on the trip. ... While the Spurs have a strong bench, so do the Mavericks. The reserves have accounted for 92 points in the last two games, both blowouts. ... Erick Dampier continues to start at center, but coach Rick Carlisle has said he reserves the right to juggle Dampier and Brendan Haywood in and out of the lineup.