Spurs at Mavs Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Friday, 7:30 CST.


San Antonio (54-13) at Dallas (48-20) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011031806)
Tipoff: 8:30 pm EDT Fri Mar 18, 2011
TV: FSSW
By Kate Hedlin

The San Antonio Spurs have lost back-to-back games only once this season, but it’s been more than five years since they’ve been coming off a loss as big as the one they just suffered.

Bouncing back against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks won’t be easy.

The Spurs, who have lost four straight regular-season games to the Mavericks when Nowitzki plays, will try to avoid consecutive defeats Friday night when they visit Dallas.

San Antonio (54-13) has the NBA’s best record but has looked vulnerable recently. The team has had three days off to make adjustments following Monday’s 110-80 loss at Miami, its worst in the regular season since a 104-68 defeat to Dallas on April 7, 2005.

The Mavericks (48-20) certainly aren’t thinking this will be a lopsided affair.

“Good test again, and they just came off a tough loss against Miami,” Nowitzki said. “And always when you lose by a big margin you’re gonna come out swinging, so it should be a fun game.”

The Spurs, who have a 6 1/2-game lead over Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference, had won three straight but only by an average of 6.7 points. Two of those wins were at home against Detroit and Sacramento, both among the league’s worst teams.

“We need to forget about (owning the league’s best record) because right now we’re not playing well,” guard Tony Parker said Wednesday after an extra-long practice. “If we keep playing like that it’s going to be a quick exit from the playoffs. We need to forget about our record and go back to playing good Spurs basketball.”

The Mavericks have struggled recently as well. After losing four of six, including consecutive games to the Lakers and Portland, they trailed by 18 before beating Golden State 112-106 on Wednesday. Nowitzki finished with 34 points and 13 rebounds.

Almost immediately, Dallas was thinking about its matchup against the Spurs.

“It’s tremendous. Everybody’s going to talk about how it’s just another game. Not for this team. Not for us,” guard Jason Terry said. “We’ve struggled since the break against teams that are right there in contention for championships. It’s a measuring stick for us. How far have we come? They’re playing great.”

While San Antonio is 2-1 against Dallas this season, the Spurs lost the only game in which Nowitzki played. He scored 26 points in a 103-94 victory Nov. 26.

The Mavericks lost to the Spurs in the first round of last year’s playoffs with a healthy Nowitzki, but they’ve won the last four regular-season meetings when he’s played. He averaged 28.0 points in those four victories.

Defense has become a problem for the Spurs, who have given up 106.0 points per game in their last four, almost nine more than their season average.

Manu Ginobili was held to 12 points Monday, missing all three of his 3-point attempts, after averaging 20.0 in the previous three games. San Antonio’s only three losses in its past 11 games have come when he’s failed to make a 3-pointer.

Dallas will be without 3-point threat Peja Stojakovic for a sixth straight game due to a strained neck.

*********************

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 17.8
Dirk Nowitzki Dal 23.3

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.1
Tyson Chandler Dal 9.3

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.5
Jason Kidd Dal 8.4

*********************

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

San Antonio 54-13 1st Southwest / 1st West 103.4 97.2 Road 23-10 Lost 1 7-3
Dallas 48-20 2nd Southwest / 3rd West 100.4 96.5 Home 24-10 Won 1 6-4


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011031806

[tdunk21]

what's ur prediction for this game 228? i have never seen u make a prediction....

[duncan228]

No prediction, just hope to see the Spurs bring the fire and energy on both ends of the court.

[moisaenz]

Spurs should win to end all doubts about who is going into the playoffs as the number one seed.

[Budkin]

After a whole week of hard work, our defense is much better and we win this one by 3.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Gotta go with my boys in blue.
Good luck Spurs fans

[Reck]

At least Tony admits they're playing like crap and knows it will be all but over if they keep playing this way.

If it was some other guy..say Lebron or Wade they be sugar coating it like no one you've heard.

First thing is acknowledging the problem. The second is working to fix it.

Here's hoping they turn it around because tomorrow's game is a definite must win for the Spurs.

[DesignatedT]

Here's hoping they turn it around because tomorrow's game is a definite must win for the Spurs.

This is a joke right? Must win? :lmao

[Reck]

Umm yeah.

In alot of ways.

1. Win for the sake of the Mavs-Spurs rivary
2. To get back on track
3. To keep a healthy lead in the standings.
4. To break a tied against the Mavs for HCA if somehow the Mavs were to come to a tie with Spurs.

[DesignatedT]

None of those things make the game a must win.

[# 1 Troll]

None of those things make the game a must win.

lolololololol Spurs fan knows whats coming, so trying to make excuses already :lmao

[Budkin]

None of those things make the game a must win.

I think it's a should win. We need to man up against a good team after getting our asses handed to us by the last two we played.

[Juggity]

I think "must-win games" should be limited to the playoffs or in the case of regular season games where playoff contention is at stake. That's really not the case here. Although a win would be nice, I neither expect nor think the spurs should overexert themselves to achieve it.

[moisaenz]

I think the spurs shoukd just coast it...

[Sean Cagney]

lolololololol Spurs fan knows whats coming, so trying to make excuses already :lmao

With this name and the posts you do why are you not banned from this board yet bro :lol:lol

[# 1 Troll]

I think the spurs shoukd just coast it...

Dallas mavs are the best team in texas PERIOD

[Juggity]

Dallas mavs are the best team in Dallas PERIOD

fify

[FilSpursFan]

It will be Dallas this time... accept it... for now...

[Strategic]

It's a big game for the Spurs and Mavs. Here's why it's not a must win for the Spurs. Following is a list showing the most wins possible if these teams win out the rest of the season.


Lakers 62, Mavs 62, Thunder 59, Celts 64, Bulls 64, Heat 60


None of these six teams have less than 14 games left as of March 17th, meaning they would have to win at least 14 straight to finish with their shown win total. The Spurs already have 54 wins and have 15 left to play. Only an idiot would believe that the Spurs will need to win more than 61 to secure home court advantage(HCA) for the Western Conference playoffs. If the Lakers or Mavs finish the year on a 12-2 run they still would only have 60 wins on the year. At that rate the Spurs could finish 7-8 and still get the home court. I think nine more wins total will secure home court for the Spurs for the entirety of their playoff lives. The issue for the Spurs is getting to that number as soon as possible so that the vets( Duncan, McDyess, Ginobili) can begin to rest their legs. Here's is another possible advantage for the Spurs getting those nine wins asap (though I hate to bring this up for fear of the fanatical band wagon). The sooner they secure HCA then the more PT available for certain bench warmers. If TS and JA can get substantial PT the last 5 or 6 games, who knows if something can come of it! All I'm saying is


GO :flag: GO!!!!!!!

[tuncaboylu]

It's not a must win game for us, but it's for Dallas. They should have a winning streak to gain HCA against Lakers.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs have a very poor record in the last several games against playoff teams.

MIA L+W
LAL L
MEM L+W
CHI L
PHI L
POR L
NOH L

A solid win @DAL would be comforting, 4 weeks from the playoffs.

[elec99]

Dallas mavs are the best team in texas PERIOD

Is Texas a suburb of Dallas?

[elec99]

I just dont know which mode the spurs are going to be in. I wonder if they're still in the 'see how many games we can coast through/lose while still retaining onto the #1 seed.' Pop may think he doesnt need this game since he no longer needs a tie breaker with dallas since theyre clearly gonna be a #3 seed and out in the second round.

[Fireball]

I just dont know which mode the spurs are going to be in. I wonder if they're still in the 'see how many games we can coast through/lose while still retaining onto the #1 seed.' Pop may think he doesnt need this game since he no longer needs a tie breaker with dallas since theyre clearly gonna be a #3 seed and out in the second round.

I don't think Pop wants to tank this game. Pop knows which teams the Spurs will probably face in the playoffs and against them he is - even in the regular season - willing to give the starters some extra minutes and wants to see them execute.

I cannot remember a blowout game between these two teams, so it should be fun as always. And again I will be astonished about the Mavs crowd, which is extremely fired up against the Spurs, but does not respond when the Lakers come to town ...

[DPG21920]

This is a big game for the Spurs somewhat. Not because they need it in the standing, but because they are and have been going in the wrong direction for too long. People around here want to dismiss it and say that players who have been playing like shit for months are in a "slump", but the Spurs have legit problems that are going to hurt them if not corrected.

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignment
Fri. Mar. 18
San Antonio @ Dallas: Ken Mauer; Courtney Kirkland; Leon Wood

[FromWayDowntown]

I can't imagine that the Spurs will be able to truly match the intensity of the Mavericks at the tip; whatever the games means for the Spurs, it means considerably more to the Mavericks.

And unless three full days off can somehow offset the sloppiness and occasional softness that the Spurs have shown of late -- particularly against elite teams -- the difference in intensity seems likely to make a big difference in how the game will go.

I'd be mildly surprised if the Spurs stay within 10.

[clambake]

mavs are not elite.

[JR3]

Looking forward to this one! Go Spurs Go!

[200 miles]

The question is not really "Will the players play a better game ?", but more like "Will Pop coach a better game ?"

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks – A playoff preview? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-dallas-mavericks-3-17-playoff-preview)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-dallas-mavericks-3-17-playoff-preview

[duncan228]

The San Antonio Spurs as John Adams: “I will outlive (Thomas) Jefferson” (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Jesse Blanchard
48 minutes of Hell


“I will outlive Jefferson…


…Thomas Jefferson still survives.”

Fierce political adversaries whose rivalry bred mutual respect, and eventually friendship, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are forever linked by the final words of Adams, the second President of the United States.

Defeated by Jefferson—his opposite in nearly every political aspect—as an incumbent, Adams was said to have proclaimed that despite having several years on his longtime rival, he would outlive Jefferson. Both reached their end within hours of each other, with “Thomas Jefferson still survives” being attributed as Adams’ last words (unbeknownst to Adams, Jefferson had in fact died earlier that day).

For nearly a decade the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks have stood as roadblocks in the path to each others’ success. Two veteran-laden teams sporting the longest 50-win regular season streaks in the NBA, at this point one has to simply wonder what it has to do to get rid of the other.

In that, the Spurs and Mavericks are like two bitter old rivals struggling to outlive each other simply for the opportunity to dance on the other’s grave.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/the-san-antonio-spurs-as-john-adams-i-will-outlive-thomas-jefferson#more-13281)

[nkdlunch]

this and the lakers game. Those are the only 2 games that matter for rest of the season.

[duncan228]

Duncan: Spurs’ urgency tonight is self imposed (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/18/duncan-spurs-urgency-tonight-is-self-imposed/)
Mike Monroe

...“We haven’t played great over the last five or six games,” Spurs captain Tim Duncan said after the Spurs’ morning shootaround at American Airlines Center here. “We’re trying to get back on track and play well. We know this is a very good team we’ll likely see sometime in the playoffs.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/18/duncan-spurs-urgency-tonight-is-self-imposed/

*********************

Tyson Chandler says Mavs have “bad blood” towards Spurs (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/18/mavs-tyson-chandler-fans-flames-for-tonight-a-little-more/)
Tim Griffin

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/18/mavs-tyson-chandler-fans-flames-for-tonight-a-little-more/

*********************

McDyess knows the challenge Nowitzki presents (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/mcdyess-knows-the-challenge-nowitzki-presents/)
Mike Monroe

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/mcdyess-knows-the-challenge-nowitzki-presents/

*********************

Mavs, Spurs looking for critical turnarounds (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/mavs-spurs-looking-for-critical-turnarounds/)
Mike Monroe

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/mavs-spurs-looking-for-critical-turnarounds/

*********************


Friday: Spurs (54-13) at Mavericks (48-20) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/friday-spurs-54-13-at-mavericks-48-20/)
Mike Monroe

...Mavericks have lost four of past seven games, but are coming off a victory Wednesday at Golden State — their 24th road win of season. … Spurs lead season series 2-1, but lost the only matchup with Mavs in which Nowitzki played, on Nov. 26.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/17/friday-spurs-54-13-at-mavericks-48-20/

[Obstructed_View]

If Bonner is Horry Lite, is Novak Bonner Lite? Hope to see lots of minutes from both of them tonight.

Glad Duncan is talking about urgency but just assuming that his team's going to get to the conference finals. Ironical.

[tdunk21]

doesnt matter if its must win or not, but spurs have to put some effort in these kinda games....

[duncan228]

Tyson Chandler: Tim Duncan gets nod over Dirk? (http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/tyson-chandler-tim-duncan-gets-nod-over.html)
By Eddie Sefko / Reporter
[email protected]

It probably was an inadvertent snub, but Mavericks' center Tyson Chandler said this morning that the greatest power forward ever will be at American Airlines Center tonight and it won't be the Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki.

"Duncan is probably the greatest power forward of all-time,'' Chandler said. "I love the matchup. He always does the right thing for his team, whether it's scoring, rebounding or defending. His game has evolved. He's a different player the older he gets."

You can certainly argue that the Spurs' power forward is tops at that position based on his four rings. But Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and others might get some support if you go strictly on numbers at the power forward slot.

And Nowitzki has revolutionized the position, to some extent.

Either way, there is no way to downplay the matchup tonight, Chandler said. The Mavericks still are holding out hope that they can catch the Spurs for the Southwest Division title, even though they trail by 6 ½ games.

"Definitely so,'' Chandler said of the importance. "If we want to catch them we have to win tonight. The games that you gain a full game are very important. We're not going to see them again. Not only that, understanding what we want to accomplish in the playoffs, tonight is a big game."

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/tyson-chandler-tim-duncan-gets-nod-over.html

[duncan228]

Inside Report: Spurs-Mavericks preview — Mavs, Spurs conclude season series at the AAC (http://www.nba.com/mavericks/ir_pre_2011_03_18.html)
Earl K. Sneed
Mavs.com

Earl K. Sneed previews the Mavericks' season series finale against the league-leading Spurs, as the Dallas team tries to draw even at 2-2.

DALLAS — The Mavericks are probably not close enough to the San Antonio Spurs to make a serious dent in their 6 ½-game lead in the Southwest Division with a win over the in-state rival on Friday night. But the Dallas squad still believes that it is the perfect opportunity to send a message should the two teams cross paths again in the postseason.

Looking to conclude the season series at 2-2, the Mavericks (48-20) will welcome in the league-leading Spurs, who are still trying to recover from a season-worst 110-80 loss in Miami on Monday night. And after suffering two losses to the Spurs (54-13) without leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki in the lineup — thanks to a sprained right knee that kept the 7-footer sidelined for nine games — the Mavs freely admit that they plan to inflict their will on the team that ended their season in the first round of the playoffs last year, especially now that their go-to player is back to lead the charge.

“Good test again, and they just came off a tough loss against Miami. I read today somewhere that they had a three-hour practice for the first time all year, so you know they’re gonna be fired up and ready to play,” Nowitzki said. “And always when you lose by a big margin you’re gonna come out swinging, so it should be a fun game. Hopefully, the AAC will be rocking and it should be a fun game to be a part of.”

“Everybody is gonna talk about how this is just another game, not for this team, not for us,” sixth man Jason Terry added. “We’ve struggled since the break against teams that are right there in contention for a championship, so it’s a measuring stick for us. How far have we come? And they’re playing great, so it’s gonna be on us to go out there and prove what we can do.”

But the Mavericks also realize that they’ll have to play much better than they did in the first half against Golden State on Wednesday night, when Nowitzki, Terry and second-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois led their team back from an 18-point deficit to claim a 112-106 road victory. And with the Spurs looking to respond after the disappointing showing on South Beach, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle says that his players must avoid the early struggles they were able to overcome against a lesser Warriors team.

Keep reading... (http://www.nba.com/mavericks/ir_pre_2011_03_18.html)

http://www.nba.com/mavericks/ir_pre_2011_03_18.html

[Obstructed_View]

Dirk only played power forward for about a year and a half. Granted, the Mavs were incredibly good during that time, but it takes more than 18 months to be in the conversation for best all time at your position.

[FromWayDowntown]

It was some media-type in Dallas who concluded that Tim Duncan was a 2nd Team All-Decade player for 2000-2009 while Dirk Nowitzki was a 1st Team All-Decade guy.

I'm sure someone can find that gem.

[EVAY]

This game is important to the Spurs because they have been playing so poorly they need to remind themselves, plus everybody else, that they are an elite team.

This game is important to Dallas because of the tight race they are in with L.A. for the no. 2 spot in the West. If the season ends with Dallas and L.A. in the 2 and 3 spots (as seems likely), then whoever has HCA for that eventual matchup will have a clear leg up. If L.A. ends up with HC over Dallas and they meet up, then I think L.A. wins that series for sure.

The biggest problem with the Spurs chances of winning tonight is that the game is in Dallas, and they will get all the foul calls. Just like Miami did.

When Miami played in San Antonio, the calls early in the game against Wade and James messed with their ability to get into an offensive rhythm. In Miami, the same plays were called just the opposite way, and the Heat got into an early offensive rhythm, and we got into foul trouble.

That kind of difference in officiating on home court can change the outcome of a game, and it will make it much harder tonight for the Spurs.

I hope that we win tonight. I don't expect it, though.

[DesignatedT]

It was some media-type in Dallas who concluded that Tim Duncan was a 2nd Team All-Decade player for 2000-2009 while Dirk Nowitzki was a 1st Team All-Decade guy.

I'm sure someone can find that gem.

:lol

[Spurs Brazil]

I think we're going play well today and win

[Spurs Brazil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6232651

Brendan Haywood to return vs. Spurs

By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood is expected to play Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, coach Rick Carlisle said.

Haywood has missed the past two games with lower-back stiffness.
The last time Haywood played, he scored four points in 13 minutes in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on March 12.

This will be just the second time Haywood has played against the Spurs this season -- he had six points and four rebounds in a loss to San Antonio on Jan. 14. He was suspended for the first game in November and didn't play in the late December contest.

Also, forward Peja Stojakovic, who hasn't played since March 7 because of a stiff neck, will miss his sixth consecutive game.

[Obstructed_View]

The biggest problem with the Spurs chances of winning tonight is that the game is in Dallas, and they will get all the foul calls. Just like Miami did.

When Miami played in San Antonio, the calls early in the game against Wade and James messed with their ability to get into an offensive rhythm. In Miami, the same plays were called just the opposite way, and the Heat got into an early offensive rhythm, and we got into foul trouble.

This is the dumbest post of the day, and that's an accomplishment.

[41times]

My Favorite game in the entire NBA is Mavs vs. Spurs.

By far some of the best basketball games over the last Decade. I expect nothing less again tonight.

Mavs favored by 2 tonight so expect another down to the wire game.

[Halberto]

Saw cuban on 5th street last night, made sure he saw my spurs hat so he would know hes.in.spurs territory. Hes such a douche. Fatass looked just as stupid and gay in person.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

My Favorite game in the entire NBA is Mavs vs. Spurs.

By far some of the best basketball games over the last Decade. I expect nothing less again tonight.

Mavs favored by 2 tonight so expect another down to the wire game.

:tu

[TE]

Must win today. Must win.

[FromWayDowntown]

I've rarely been so happy to have been so wrong.