ducks
10-29-2005, 11:07 AM
Johnson gives Mavericks an 'I'
Mavs take 103-97 preseason win over Pistons
By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DALLAS - Asked to grade the Mavericks' preseason, coach Avery Johnson looked past the 6-2 record. His measure takes much more in account than simple wins and losses.
"Incomplete," he said. "We're still working at it."
The Mavs completed the exhibition slate with a 103-97 victory over Detroit on Thursday at American Airlines Center. The regular season begins Tuesday in Phoenix.
Johnson acknowledged improvement, especially in the defensive effort. The focus now is sustaining that effort.
"We'll have two minutes where we're playing good basketball, then five minutes where we don't look like a team," Johnson said. "We're still trying to work that out."
The final tune-up, much like Tuesday's against Milwaukee, featured close to a regular-season rotation with nine of 14 available players seeing action. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry each played more than 30 minutes.
Johnson experimented with different combinations, including a big lineup with Howard moved into the backcourt alongside Terry, with Nowitzki, Keith Van Horn and DeSagana Diop on the frontline.
The Mavs allowed 56 points on 54-percent shooting to the Pistons in the first half, drawing the ire of Johnson. Detroit (4-3) scored 41 in the second half.
"We need those struggles in the preseason to show the coaches what we need to improve on," said Van Horn, who scored a game-high 22. "And then turn those weaknesses into strengths."
Johnson did, however, witness glimpses of a low-post presence. Normal starting center Erick Dampier played for the first time in four games, and, the first time he touched the ball, Dampier backed down Ben Wallace and dunked.
Nowitzki (16 points) posted up Tayshaun Prince and scored on a sky hook in the lane, drawing an "I like it" from a clapping Johnson on sideline.
The game also included a dose of regular-season bad blood in the second quarter leading to the ejection of Pistons guard Carlos Arroyo after an altercation with Nowitzki.
"It was nothing," Nowitzki said.
The tussle certainly wasn't as eventful as the past four weeks. Johnson often refers to the team that has averaged 92.1 points in the eight preseason games while allowing 91.9, as a "work in progress."
Jerry Stackhouse has played only one game, and his sore right knee makes his availability for the opener questionable. Dampier has been slowed by a sore hip, and Doug Christie's minutes were monitored throughout the preseason.
"We've had our ups and downs like any other teams," Howard said, "but whether it's incomplete or complete, we've come a long way from the first practice."
MAVERICKS 103, PISTONS 97
ONLINE: mavs.com
Mavs take 103-97 preseason win over Pistons
By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DALLAS - Asked to grade the Mavericks' preseason, coach Avery Johnson looked past the 6-2 record. His measure takes much more in account than simple wins and losses.
"Incomplete," he said. "We're still working at it."
The Mavs completed the exhibition slate with a 103-97 victory over Detroit on Thursday at American Airlines Center. The regular season begins Tuesday in Phoenix.
Johnson acknowledged improvement, especially in the defensive effort. The focus now is sustaining that effort.
"We'll have two minutes where we're playing good basketball, then five minutes where we don't look like a team," Johnson said. "We're still trying to work that out."
The final tune-up, much like Tuesday's against Milwaukee, featured close to a regular-season rotation with nine of 14 available players seeing action. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry each played more than 30 minutes.
Johnson experimented with different combinations, including a big lineup with Howard moved into the backcourt alongside Terry, with Nowitzki, Keith Van Horn and DeSagana Diop on the frontline.
The Mavs allowed 56 points on 54-percent shooting to the Pistons in the first half, drawing the ire of Johnson. Detroit (4-3) scored 41 in the second half.
"We need those struggles in the preseason to show the coaches what we need to improve on," said Van Horn, who scored a game-high 22. "And then turn those weaknesses into strengths."
Johnson did, however, witness glimpses of a low-post presence. Normal starting center Erick Dampier played for the first time in four games, and, the first time he touched the ball, Dampier backed down Ben Wallace and dunked.
Nowitzki (16 points) posted up Tayshaun Prince and scored on a sky hook in the lane, drawing an "I like it" from a clapping Johnson on sideline.
The game also included a dose of regular-season bad blood in the second quarter leading to the ejection of Pistons guard Carlos Arroyo after an altercation with Nowitzki.
"It was nothing," Nowitzki said.
The tussle certainly wasn't as eventful as the past four weeks. Johnson often refers to the team that has averaged 92.1 points in the eight preseason games while allowing 91.9, as a "work in progress."
Jerry Stackhouse has played only one game, and his sore right knee makes his availability for the opener questionable. Dampier has been slowed by a sore hip, and Doug Christie's minutes were monitored throughout the preseason.
"We've had our ups and downs like any other teams," Howard said, "but whether it's incomplete or complete, we've come a long way from the first practice."
MAVERICKS 103, PISTONS 97
ONLINE: mavs.com