Nbadan
05-19-2006, 04:26 AM
The Mavericks said their best chance tonight is to reintroduce the fast-paced style of play that dominated the series until halftime of Game 5. Dallas scored only 40 points in the second half, and Johnson wants his players to get back to the way they were playing when they averaged 56.7 points in the previous seven halves.
"That's what we're looking for," Johnson said. "We're trying to reclaim that style."
Said forward Dirk Nowitzki: "The pace wasn't where we wanted it in the second half (Wednesday). It was a slow game."
That being said, the Mavericks did see a few things they liked in Game 5. Johnson said he was pleased with the results of using a zone defense in some stretches of the second half, and he said he was impressed with the way his team mounted a late rally after trailing in the fourth quarter.
Mike Finger, MySA.com (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051906.5C.BKNmavs.terry.21aead1d.html)
If the Spurs keep going small, they gotta keep the Mav's from going zone on D. Hitting the 3 consistently is the easiest way to bust the zone, but attacking Dirk will likely be the most effective. The Mav's want to dictate the pace of the game, that could force the inexperienced Harris into many tough situations as the game wears on trying to force things to happen that aren't there.
The keys to game 6 are slowing down Dirk (make him drive right) and keeping Stack and Harris away from the basket (the further either shoots, the worst their shot gets). The loss of Terry makes Dallas an much older team, they will have to give more minutes than they would likely like too to Griffin and Stack. Griffin hasn't played in 3 games. If the Mavs are forced to use Daniels to rest Griffin and Harris, then Howard, Dirk and Stack are gonna have to play extended minutes. The best the Spurs could hope for early is to get Harris, Stack, Howard, or Griffin in early foul trouble and throw off Avery's rotations. Make no mistake about it, the Mav's are short-handed tonight, and in such a close series it could be match-ups and foul trouble that really wind up dictating the pace of the game.
"That's what we're looking for," Johnson said. "We're trying to reclaim that style."
Said forward Dirk Nowitzki: "The pace wasn't where we wanted it in the second half (Wednesday). It was a slow game."
That being said, the Mavericks did see a few things they liked in Game 5. Johnson said he was pleased with the results of using a zone defense in some stretches of the second half, and he said he was impressed with the way his team mounted a late rally after trailing in the fourth quarter.
Mike Finger, MySA.com (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051906.5C.BKNmavs.terry.21aead1d.html)
If the Spurs keep going small, they gotta keep the Mav's from going zone on D. Hitting the 3 consistently is the easiest way to bust the zone, but attacking Dirk will likely be the most effective. The Mav's want to dictate the pace of the game, that could force the inexperienced Harris into many tough situations as the game wears on trying to force things to happen that aren't there.
The keys to game 6 are slowing down Dirk (make him drive right) and keeping Stack and Harris away from the basket (the further either shoots, the worst their shot gets). The loss of Terry makes Dallas an much older team, they will have to give more minutes than they would likely like too to Griffin and Stack. Griffin hasn't played in 3 games. If the Mavs are forced to use Daniels to rest Griffin and Harris, then Howard, Dirk and Stack are gonna have to play extended minutes. The best the Spurs could hope for early is to get Harris, Stack, Howard, or Griffin in early foul trouble and throw off Avery's rotations. Make no mistake about it, the Mav's are short-handed tonight, and in such a close series it could be match-ups and foul trouble that really wind up dictating the pace of the game.