Mavs Game Previews In English
By Matt Pinto, Mavericks television play-by-play announcer
http://www.nba.com/mavericks/matchup..._Previews.html
Matt Pinto
Mavs vs. Spurs, April 7
Having secured their fifth consecutive playoff appearance and their fifth 50 win season in succession already, the Mavericks enter their final eight regular season games with a small handful of priorities. Beating the Southwest Division leading San Antonio Spurs is among them!
The 50-24 Mavs get their final shot Thursday night (April 7 at 7pm CT) at American Airlines Center. Dallas is 0-3 this season against its chief rival to the south, but will be favored to break through in this one because the Spurs will be without Tim Duncan due to a tender right ankle. Although this game carries minimal meaning in the standings or in regard to overall impact on playoff seeding (the Spurs are pretty much cemented as the number two seed and winner of the division, the Mavs locked into the fourth spot in the West), it could have an impact on the Mavericks psyche should these two work their way through the treacherous post season minefield in the West and hook up again in the Conference Finals.
What’s been the problem for the Mavericks this season versus the Spurs? Cracking their defense consistently. Dallas has hit a measly 42% of its shots from the field, just 33% on threes against San Antonio in managing to average 88 ppg. Dirk Nowitzki’s been the only Mavericks player to come close to matching his per game scoring average as he’s delivered strong numbers of 26.7ppg and 12.7rpg. The other area of concern in this match-up has been Erick Dampier’s overall ineffectiveness against the Spurs. He’s played in two of the three previous games managing 3.5ppg, 4.5rpg and just one blocked shot in the two contests. It would be nice to see Damp show strong in this game. The specific results of the three prior encounters; Spurs 94-80 in San Antonio November 24, San Antonio 107-89 in Dallas November 30, and 98-95 January 14 at the SBC Center.
The Mavericks will be sufficiently rested for this clash, working nicely in an every other day pattern of scheduling at the moment. San Antonio will be laboring on the second night of a back-to-back sequence, having played the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night at home.
Let’s get to the starting line-up match-ups. Point guard play is always key in collisions of ans and this game will be no different. Spurs starter Tony Parker has gotten the measure of the Mavs tandem of Jason Terry and Devin Harris in the three previous encounters with Dallas. He’s averaged 15ppg and 7apg, while coming up with just under 2 steals per game. As always, the Mavs lead guards must do all that they can to keep Parker from breaking down their team defense off the dribble by penetrating the lane. Encouraging signs from both Terry and Harris in the lead-in act to this one, the two combined for 22 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds and 6 steals in Tuesday’s triumph over Orlando. If Terry can come close to duplicating his solid 18 point, 13 assist outing it will go a long way towards leading Dallas to a break-through victory over the Spurs.
Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili is showing signs of wear and fatigue at this point in the season. He’s an electrifying dynamo that can change the game at both ends of the floor and is the catalyst that often sparks San Antonio’s overall effort. Because he plays such a vital role in the Spurs attack expect Josh Howard to be assigned to handle him defensively. Howard did great work shadowing Steve Francis Tuesday night, while delivering a strong 15 points offensively. He has the athleticism and degree of intensity at both ends to keep Ginobili on his toes.
That leaves Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen to battle at the other swing spot. The two are hardly best buddies and will again do battle in a contentious meeting of games. Bowen’s notorious for pushing the envelope to agitate opposing players, while Fin’s become pretty much a catch and shoot offensive player. This match-up is always fun to watch.
Up front in the absence of Duncan, crafty veteran Robert Horry’s been starting at power forward. He’s a far cry from the polished low-post force that Duncan is but he is resilient, rebounds and will defend to no end. Dirk Nowitzki’s struggled to get going at times in the past against him and Dirk will be playing through soreness in his right knee and ankle in this one.
The center match-up of Rasho Nesterovic and Erick Dampier might be pivotal to this game’s outcome. Nesterovic is no great shakes, but his offensive rebounding has really hurt the Mavericks this season. Damp has increased his minutes load by the game since his return three games back from an extended stay on the injured list and will look to continue building confidence and cohesiveness with his teammates in this one. He needs to play well against this individual foe and this specific team with an eye on the playoffs.
Off the bench, the Mavericks have a decided edge over San Antonio given the absence of scoring guard Devin Brown (sore back). The Spurs offer versatile guard Brent Barry, rookie point guard Beno Udrih, former Knick and Hawk Nazr Mohammed and new free agent signee Glenn Robinson. Udrih and Barry can be formidable shooters if the Mavericks allow them open looks. But the ‘Big Dog’ and Mohammed don’t figure to do much damage here. The Mavericks will continue leaning on Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Van Horn as primary bench contributors. Both should play well in this game. Devin Harris and Marquis Daniels will get their shots backing up Terry at the point.
Conditions seem favorable for the Mavericks to avoid the season series sweep against the Spurs. San Antonio’s roster’s injury depleted, the Spurs will be playing the second night of a back to back and the Mavericks are very motivated. But it will take a strong physical and mental 48 minute effort for Dallas to persevere. The Mavs will need to play smart basketball throughout, get solid interior performances from Dampier, Nowitzki and Van Horn and manage the game effectively which comes down to point guard play and the duel between Tony Parker and Jason Terry. San Antonio lacks the overall fire power to hang with the Mavs at American Airlines Center in a shoot-out, so the Spurs will look to control tempo and pick their spots to run and get easy baskets. If Dallas can win the battle of the boards and keep the pressure on San Antonio’s defense throughout it should be in good shape at night’s end.
Although there is an anti-climactic feel to this game given the cir stances that surround it, don’t be surprised to see it get heated as both teams are keenly aware that they could be squaring off not to far down the road with much more at stake.
"Dallas has hit a measly 42% of its shots from the field"
If the Spurs would have caught such a good measles vs Lakers last May, Spur would be current NBA champions.
This writer should worry when the Mavs offense starts turning in Spurs-style game FG %ages of 35%, or less.
ok, this is random, but Slovenian, what the is rasho doing in that sig. you have
watch this and you will see LINKok, this is random, but Slovenian, what the is rasho doing in that sig. you have
mavs.would like nothing more than to blowout the SPURS by 25+ or more,but I am talking about the mavs.we have an excuse everytime they lose to the SPURS.tonight excuse we had a bad game or blame the refs.SPURS WIN BY 15+
He just hit a free throw.ok, this is random, but Slovenian, what the is rasho doing in that sig. you have
from the half courtHe just hit a free throw.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that Glenn Robinson will step up tonight. he will be fresh and eager to prove that his clipps performance was not a fluke.
Finally I can talk Mavs and spurs and not have 5 wannabe moderators telling me this is not a Mavs board yada yada yada...
Tonight will prove my point about your typical Spurs fan If Spurs win tonight? which they won't You will hear this..." I told you the Mavericks are no match for the Spurs and will never be"
If the Spurs Lose? which they will you will hear "This game means nothing it's not even the playoffs and besides Tim Duncan is not 100% yet" yada yada yada.....
All I heard when the Dirk went down in the semi finals from spur fans was...This is no excuse, a true champion will find way to win. Let's see if the Spur fans practice what they preach, Don't hold your breath...
The bottom-line is this is the year of the mighty mighty Dallas Maverick and after tonight the world will see including that one horse no NFL team having San Antonio that With AJ and Horn A new Champion is born.........................
Mavericks 120 Spurs 89
GO MAVS GO
Mighty Mouse is in the house...
I think he will do as well as last night. If he does, all the better for us, and him...
Mavericks 120 Spurs 89
Yea I agree, i just think he will get more minutes since it is a back to back therefore having a little bit better numbers
Finally I can talk Mavs and spurs and not have 5 wannabe moderators telling me this is not a Mavs board yada yada yada...
Tonight will prove my point about your typical Spurs fan If Spurs win tonight? which they won't You will hear this..." I told you the Mavericks are no match for the Spurs and will never be"
If the Spurs Lose? which they will you will hear "This game means nothing it's not even the playoffs and besides Tim Duncan is not 100% yet" yada yada yada.....
All I heard when the Dirk went down in the semi finals from spur fans was...This is no excuse, a true champion will find way to win. Let's see if the Spur fans practice what they preach, Don't hold your breath...
The bottom-line is this is the year of the mighty mighty Dallas Maverick and after tonight the world will see including that one horse no NFL team having San Antonio that With AJ and Horn A new Champion is born.........................
Mavericks 120 Spurs 89
GO MAVS GO
Mighty Mouse is in the house...
I will definitely think that the mavericks are no contest in the playoffs if they lose tonight. If I were a mavericks fan ( I root for them just not when they play the spurs) I would want them to come out and do what phoenix failed to do with the spurs. Prove that if we are without are star and a key bench player that we are no match for the Mavericks. what do you think?
Well... The more minutes he gets, the more it'll benefit him by learning the Spurs system etc. It'll also give some of our guys some rest! All around this might just turn out to be a great move on managements part if last night was a true example of what he can do. Let's hope it was
I agreeWell... The more minutes he gets, the more it'll benefit him by learning the Spurs system etc. It'll also give some of our guys some rest! All around this might just turn out to be a great move on managements part if last night was a true example of what he can do. Let's hope it was
when you think about it it was the perfect move at the time. With the injuries they can actually play him to see what he has. if he has got something, BONUS, we got something for almost nothing. If he flops get rid of his ass who cares. Aweome move by management.
[QUOTE=Troll]Finally I can talk Mavs and spurs and not have 5 wannabe moderators telling me this is not a Mavs board yada yada yada...
Tonight will prove my point about your typical Spurs fan If Spurs win tonight? which they won't You will hear this..." I told you the Mavericks are no match for the Spurs and will never be"
If the Spurs Lose? which they will you will hear "This game means nothing it's not even the playoffs and besides Tim Duncan is not 100% yet" yada yada yada.....
All I heard when the Dirk went down in the semi finals from spur fans was...This is no excuse, a true champion will find way to win. Let's see if the Spur fans practice what they preach, Don't hold your breath...
The bottom-line is this is the year of the mighty mighty Dallas Maverick and after tonight the world will see including that one horse no NFL team having San Antonio that With AJ and Horn A new Champion is born.........................
CLOSE QUOTE
I hope you enjoyed writing this post a great deal, because it is going to be flung in your face for eternity. Just ask LakerGod.
Tonight...Tony goes off, expect big games from manu, brent, and one guy over 6'8. Spurs win it in slugfest.
At Glenn's age and lack of conditioning, you don't bounce back as easily on a back to back. I don't think Pop will dare give him as much time tonight--and doubt if the Big Dog will howl very loud about it.
This would be a huge win and would pretty much win the division.
It would also be the Spurs fifth victory over the Mavs this season, counting the preseason.
"you don't bounce back as easily on a back to back"
Hey, WB2U, are you dyslexic? Glen played 13 minutes last night, not 31 minutes.
"you don't bounce back as easily on a back to back"
Hey, WB2U, are you dyslexic? Glen played 13 minutes last night, not 31 minutes.
exactly and he has not played all year, he is fresh and determined. I think he gets 15-20 tonight of good minutes.
Manu is warming up.
What channel is everyone watching it on? I'm from Austin so I only get TNT.
YES Barry got clocked in the head
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
