<div align="center"><font color="blue">Dallas Mavericks (26-9)</font> at <font color="Navy">New York Knicks (10-21)</font> Wednesday January 11th, 2006 Madison Square Gardens, Dallas 8:30 CT @ </div> [div=50%] <font size="3"> Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="yellow"> <font size="1"><font color="Purple">(S. Marbury, N. Robinson, D. Lee, C. Frye, E. Curry</font></font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Stephon Marbury - 18.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Eddy Curry - 6.6 RPG Assist Man: Stephon Marbury - 6.9 APG The 'X' Factor: Eddy Curry (14.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1 BPG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Green"><font color="Indigo">Keeping opposition out of 100's</font> </font>- Here is a look at New Yorks last 6 games and how many points their opposition has scored against them - 116, 105, 113, 133, 92, 116 - some good defense? ey? New York needs to not let Dallas get to 100 as they are 16-3 if they pass 100<font color="Indigo"> </font> [*]<font color="Indigo"><font color="Green"><font color="black"><font color="Indigo">Stop Dirk </font>-</font></font><font color="Green"><font color="black"> NYK needs to be able to stop Dirk Nowitzki if they want to win the game, if Dirk scores more than 30 points look for Dallas to increase their 11-0 run with him (scoring more than 30)</font></font></font> [*]<font color="Indigo"><font color="Green"><font color="black"><font color="Indigo">Get Channing Frye to play some defense</font> - The rookie seems to have been great on the offensive end this year, but if he can help and not let someone such as Keith Van Horn (or even stints on Dirk) go off then his play will be important </font></font></font>[/list][/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="blue"> <font size="1">(J. Terry, A. Griffin, J. Howard, D. Nowitzki, E. Dampier)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Dirk Nowitzki - 26.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Dirk Nowitzki - 9.0 RPG Assist Man: Jason Terry - 3.7 APG The 'X' Factor: Josh Howard (15.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.9 APG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Blue">Shooting a high FG% - <font color="black">Surprise, but Dallas' main assets the past few games have been their defense. They have shot horribly (mid 30%'s) and have scraped out wins against a few below .500 teams</font></font> [*]<font color="Blue">Josh Howard - <font color="black">When Josh picks up early fouls, he loses confidence and doesn't play with as much intensity. He needs to be able to use his size to his advantage and keep oppositions key players out of huge games, but as it seems Avery has lost some confidence and puts Adrian Griffin on the opposing star swingman. Josh needs to have a big game, he is averaging 22 ppg/12 rpg/3 spg in his career against NYK</font></font>[/list]<font size="3"> Did you know? </font><ul> [*]Dallas his 13-1 this season when we play teams under .500 (at the time)[/list]<font size="3">Prediction </font> I think Dallas comes out of the gate on fire, we will have had some rest and NYK will be playing on their second night consecutively. I tihnk Dallas dominates this game, like last year when we put up 70 in the first half. Dallas 118, New York 95
This should be an easy win but as of late Dallas seems to have trouble getting big leads. I say Dallas 101-93.
<font size="-1">By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News</font> Series: First meeting this season; Knicks lead, 27-21, all-time KEY MATCHUP STEPHON MARBURY VS. JASON TERRY Stephon Marbury has been on a roll lately after enduring the wrath of coach Larry Brown earlier in the season. Marbury is fourth on the list of active assists leaders behind Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Nick Van Exel. With Marbury (6-2) teaming with 5-9 Nate Robinson in the backcourt, the Mavericks may utilize their small backcourt of Jason Terry and Devin Harris more than usual. Inside the Mavericks Timely rebounding: Josh Howard had only two rebounds against Boston on Monday, but they came in the final minute. The second was on the offensive end and set up Dirk Nowitzki's jumper that put the Mavericks up, 102-99. "I guess if you're only going to get two, that's the time to get them," he said. Briefly: They have won seven in a row against the Knicks, including five by 10 points or more. ... Although he was only 3-of-10 from the field, Keith Van Horn was 3-of-4 from 3-point range, supplying hope that his 19-of-70 slump (27.1 percent) over the last 10 games is ending. Inside the Knicks Baby steps: Trying to escape the competition for the title of worst team in the NBA, they had won straight entering Tuesday's visit to Cleveland. Their three rookies ? Channing Frye, David Lee and Nate Robinson ? are fueling their rebound and their hope for the future. Briefly: Frye ranks second in points (14.9) and rebounds (6.1) among rookies. ... He's the first rookie since David Robinson in 1989-90 to post three or more consecutive 20-point games for Larry Brown.
Yahoo! preview - The Dallas Mavericks try to continue their recent domination of the New York Knicks as the teams meet at Madison Square Garden. The Mavericks have won seven consecutive meetings in the series, averaging 110.0 points and outscoring the Knicks by nearly 16 points per game. Dallas also has won four straight games at New York, including a 123-94 rout on Dec. 21, 2004 in the Knicks' second-worst home loss of last season. Dirk Nowitzki has averaged 27.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 51.1 percent during the seven-game win streak. Last season, Josh Howard also picked apart the Knicks, totaling 48 points and 29 rebounds in two games while making 17-of-30 shots. Dallas has won three straight and 16 of its last 20 games overall, including Monday's 104-102 victory at Boston. Jerry Stackhouse, who missed the first 26 games this season due to injury, hit the game-winning jumper with one-tenth of a second to play as the Mavericks improved to 13-5 on the road. "It was a matter of time before Jerry got back into his rhythm," said Mavericks guard Jason Terry, who had seven 3-pointers and finished with 30 points. "We see it every day in practice. It's nothing new to us." Terry is shooting 42.7 percent from 3-point range overall, and is 29-for-60 (48.3 percent) from beyond the arc in his last 10 games. The Knicks have won a season-high four straight games following Wednesday's 92-84 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jamal Crawford scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half and Stephon Marbury added 22 for New York, which ended a five-game road losing streak and held the Cavaliers to 12 fourth-quarter points. "We're getting a better grasp of this," said Crawford, who has scored 55 points in his last two games. "It takes awhile, but the guys are communicating and we're executing what coach wants." Marbury has been the primary reason for the Knicks' recent resurgence. He is averaging 23.3 points and 10.3 assists during the winning streak, New York's longest since a five-game run from Jan. 30-Feb. 8, 2004. The point guard also has done a better job protecting the ball, committing just three turnovers in his last three games. New York has not beaten Dallas since a 108-101 overtime victory on Jan. 3, 2002.
Nice preview, Maverick. I don't know about taking this match-up easily though. I know the Mavericks are the favorites, but the Knicks have won four straight for a reason. They're record is deceiving; this is a much better team than 11-21. I think the game will be close.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice preview, Maverick. I don't know about taking this match-up easily though. I know the Mavericks are the favorites, but the Knicks have won four straight for a reason. They're record is deceiving; this is a much better team than 11-21. I think the game will be close.</div> I understand you, but I think Dallas just will come out with intensity. We always do well against the Knicks, we just need to not let Eddy Curry get going in the post. The Knicks have been playing well lately, I will give them that Thanks. Your preview was awesome aswell
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice preview, Maverick. I don't know about taking this match-up easily though. I know the Mavericks are the favorites, but the Knicks have won four straight for a reason. They're record is deceiving; this is a much better team than 11-21. I think the game will be close.</div> Agreed. The Knicks are playing with much more resolve than ever before. They are a more cohesive bunch and have found ways to step up and play the game like a team. Look for a close match...if not an upset!
Dallas with a horrible 6 turnovers already, if we weren't shootnig 54% then we'd be out of it. We're only down 8 (27-19) Curry already has 10 points
Dallas is down 35-21. Harris is playing terrible against Marbury. Refs are bullshit calling everything against Harris also. Marbury lowering his shoulder should be an offensive foul but the refs are showing favoritism to the star.
Dallas is down 51-39. Dirk trying to keep them in the game. Harris playing like crap. Dallas is just low in energy.
Dallas looks exhausted. They been on the road for a long time now. Knicks up 63-47. Van Horn is New York's most valuable player. He is just terrible.
Yawn, this is getting ugly. We need to stop the turnovers and get some momentum, won't be surprised because I can imagine AJ is going CRRRAAZZZZY in the locker rooms
1 second left, Crawford missed due to some clutch D from Howard 1 second baby, JET with the winner? What do u think..
Dang, couldn't finish off the Knicks. Rebounding and allowing 2nd chance points hurt the Mavs tonight, but a nice comeback to make it an exciting game.
Wow. The refs gave every call to New York in the overtime. It was like 5 questionable calls and all in favor to New York. I can't believe their inbounds play was have Stackhouse go 1 on 1. Avery needs to have a better player than that.
