<div align="center"><div align="center"> vs </div> <font color="blue">Dallas Mavericks (15-6) v</font><font color="purple">s Orlando Magic (9-11)</font> Date: Friday December 16, 2005 Time: 9:30 (Local) Place: American Airlines Center <font size="5">Project Starting Lineups</font> <font size="1">J. Terry | M. Daniels | J. Howard | D. Nowitzki | E. Dampier</font> <font size="1">S. Francis | D. Stevenson | G. Hill | D. Howard | T. Battie</font> MAIN MATCHUP vs ( THE LOWDOWN: Dallas needs to score if they want to win, Orlando is averaging the least amount of PPG in the East conference but their defence has been solid this year. Dallas will need all three bigmen (Dampier, Diop and Nowitzki) to continue their solid rebounding from the previous game if they want to stop sophmore beast Dwight Howard. Averaging 13.3 rebounds, Howard can kill the Mavericks if we aren't careful -- Al Jefferson already has this season and Dwight is numerous notches above Al. Dallas needs to try and force turnovers on Steve Francis who is currently averaging over 3 turnovers per game, look for Marquis Daniels to have that main job. I imagine Josh Howard will defend Grant Hill, as Grant has the size advantage on the rest of our perimeter players Statistics Orlando - 86.9 PPG (opp 90.3), 41.7 RPG (opp 38.2), 17 APG (opp 19.5) Dallas - 98.4 PPG (opp 93.6), 43.5 RPG (opp 39.1), 17.1 APG (opp 17.1) Last Matchup Yet to play this season VARIABLES - Jerry Stackhouse is out - Keith Van Horn is day to day</div>
God, I'm so tempted to edit his post to say he's pulling for Dallas Just playing, I'll just make sure to rub it in your face when Dallas win
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">God, I'm so tempted to edit his post to say he's pulling for Dallas Just playing, I'll just make sure to rub it in your face when Dallas win </div> If the Mavs win then i will grant you permissiom to do that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Series: First meeting this season; Magic leads all-time 19-15. Key matchup Dwight Howard vs. Dirk Nowitzki: The Magic's young forward is quickly becoming a stud. Nowitzki knows it. "He's a beast," Nowitzki said. Howard, who turned 20 on Dec. 8, has become one of the NBA's best rebounders in a hurry and leads the league with at least one offensive board in 57 consecutive games. Elton Brand is next at 40 in a row. Nowitzki has been terrific virtually all season and even had six offensive rebounds Wednesday against Phoenix. Inside the Magic Still filling the box score: Steve Francis has battled the "not a true point guard" tag throughout his career, but he's one of only four players (Grant Hill, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson are the others) who has averaged at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in each of his first six NBA seasons. Briefly: Oft-injured Grant Hill returned to action Wednesday after missing the first 19 games because of sports-hernia surgery. He had seven points in 23 minutes against the Knicks. ... Former Texas Tech standout Tony Battie has started every game as Kelvin Cato has fought a right ankle sprain. Inside the Mavericks Chairmen of the boards: They have outrebounded each of their last eight opponents, including five by 10 or more boards. In the last five games, five different Mavs have contributed a double- figure rebounding game. For the season, they are averaging four more boards per game than their opponent. Briefly: They are working on a streak of three 100-point games, their longest of the season. ... <font size="5">Last season, Devin Harris tried 131 3-pointers and 103 free throws. This season, he has shot 103 free throws and 11 3-pointers.</font></div> Wow..
I like that stat Maverick, he has been relentless taking the ball to the rack. I like the Mavs to win this game just on the fact that, Josh is back and Orlando doesnt have the fire power to keep up with us nor the defense to even think of containing Dirk. But I know that Francis is going to give us trouble just like every point gaurd we play but, I loved the way we played against Nash, and i think our play will stay consistant towards scoring point gaurds.
We shouldnt have a problem beating the magic because their defense cant stop us. We should be able to slow them down.
Alright guys. I'm guarenteeing a win in this won. The Magic need to beat a good team to gain some confidence and I have a feeling we will do it tonight. Magic over Mavs, 92-88.
<u>Halftime </u>48 <u></u> vs 48 Dallas 48 Orlando 48, Both SF's playing well (Howard has 16 points and Hill has 13) Dampier with another good game so far, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks Dirk with a poor game, 3-7 shooting and 3 turnovers
We should not be tied with the Magic. Why cant we just dominate when we play weaker teams. You can never really guess when the Mavs are gonna win a game for sure before you see how they are playing. I hope Dirk turns his bad game into a good one.
DJ MBenga is in, just got called for a travelling. He has 9 minutes - 1 block, 1 steal, 2 rebounds, 4 points The scores have been changing, but the margins are always the same. At the end of the 3rd, Orlando are winning 67-66
5 minutes remaining and Dallas is up by 5 (88-83) Dirk Nowitzki is having a good 4th quarter I'm really happy with Dallas' rebounding this season, tonight we have 10 more than the Magic (they only have 26)
1 minute left, Dallas has the ball in a timeout at 93 all.... c'mon someone hit a shot Terry misses a jumper! Hill misses a jumper! Dallas ball with 13.7 seconds left, timeout. The worst that can happen is overtime
Inbound..pass to Dirk who shoots over Turkoglu but misses..Overtime My master plan..put in DJ MBenga for the jump ball..guy is athletic Heading for overtime at 93-93, Josh Howard has six fouls and is out..
1:15 DAL - D. Harris drives to the hoop for a layup. Assist: D. Nowitzki 1:31 DAL - D. Nowitzki steals the ball from J. Nelson 1:47 DAL - D. Harris makes a 14-foot jumper along the right baseline. Assist: D. Nowitzki Great connection there between Harris and Dirk, Dirk has scored 6 of 8 overtime points. Dallas up 4 with 1 minute left
I am very concerned about how we let Orlando keep it close but mind you... Grant Hill and Dwight Howard + Steve Francis is not a simple task! We come away with the win thats about all I can find to make me happy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">If the Mavs win then i will grant you permissiom to do that.</div> *rubs Twin's nose in it* Lalalalala Dallas win! Woot Woot (sorry to all Orlando fans, but he gave me permission)
I wouldnt have expected overtime. I love how Devin Harris has been playing well. He's scoring and getting a good amount of assists. He is earning his minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">*rubs Twin's nose in it* Lalalalala Dallas win! Woot Woot (sorry to all Orlando fans, but he gave me permission)</div> Im not really surprised we lost to the Mavs but we gave them a fight and hill had an awesome game with 28 points.