<div align="center"><font color="blue">Dallas Mavericks (26-9)</font> at <font color="Navy">New Jersey Nets (19-14)</font> Saturday January 14th, 2006 American Airlines Center, 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">(J. Kidd, V. Carter, R. Jefferson, J. Collins, N. Krstic) </font></font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Vince Carter - 25.8 PPG Leading Rebounder: Richard Jefferson - 7.3 RPG Assist Man: Jason Kidd - 8.1 APG The 'X' Factor: Vince Carter (25.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.1 APG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Green"><font color="Indigo">Slow Down Dallas</font> </font>- New Jersey probably won't be able to outscore Dallas, especially considering that Richard Jefferson missing the match is a very distinct possibility. If they can limit Dallas to some poor quarters then they have a great chance of winning. <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"> From the looks of New Jerseys roster, it seems that they don't have anyone to matchup with German Dirk Nowitzki. If Jason Collins could provide some defense and keep Dirk under his season average, that would put New Jersey in a very good position. </font></font></font> [*]<font color="Indigo"><font color="Green"><font color="black"><font color="Indigo">Big Games All Around</font> - In my opinion, the Net's don't have that one guy who can have a big game (while the rest of the team sucks it up) and lead them to a victory (ie Kobe, AI, Dirk). They need Kidd to have a near triple double, Krstic to grab the boards etc. If they want to win then all players need to be on the same page </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, D. Diop)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Dirk Nowitzki - 26.2 PPG Leading Rebounder: Dirk Nowitzki - 8.9 RPG Assist Man: Jason Terry - 3.8 APG The 'X' Factor: Devin Harris (11.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.2 APG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Blue">Defense - <font color="black">Luckily, it seems as if Richard Jefferson will not be playing. This means that Dallas only needs to focus on Vince Carter in the backcourt, and with Griffin and Howard I imagine that it is entirely possible to contain Vince. </font></font> [*]<font color="Blue">Maintaining good play for 48 minutes - <font color="black">Dallas' problem? Playing terribly on the offensive side of the court for the first 36 minutes. Now, normally we'll catch up but we won't be able to do it as much due to fatigue and other factors. I don't see why we can't play a consistent 48 minutes</font></font> [*]<font color="Blue"><font color="black"><font color="Blue">Offensive Rebounding </font>- Last game, NYK had 28 (?) offensive rebounds against us. We can never let that happen, we were in the game with good shooting but we didn't rebound well enough. For a team which started off the season rebounding well, we sure haven't been. We need to rebound </font></font>[/list]<font size="3"> Did you know? </font><ul> [*]If Dallas beats New Jersey, this will be their 3rd loss in a row (to a Southwest team) after a 10 game winning streak[/list]<font size="3">Prediction </font>I would like to see Dallas play a full 48 minutes, but I won't be surprised if this is an even match. With Dirk taking Dallas by the horns and Vince taking New Jersey by the horns, look for an epic offensive duel between the two stars Dallas 94, New Jersey 91
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">DALLAS — Erick Dampier is on the verge of losing his starting job. The Mavericks coaching staff is making preparations to bench the starting center, perhaps as early as Saturday night against New Jersey at American Airlines Center. In what would be the first non-injury influenced change to the starting five of the Avery Johnson era, DeSagana Diop would replace Dampier. Despite his relative inexperience, Diop potentially brings to the table many of the emotional qualities missing from Dampier this National Basketball Association season. More than rebounding or shot-blocking, Diop, the 7-footer who spent four seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Mavs, plays with passion. Diop, 23, is willing to give the hard foul, if necessary, and his teammates have responded to Diop’s energy all season. Diop practiced with the first team Friday. He would be given the opportunity to prove his reliability over the second half of the season. The Mavs (26-10) could wait until Monday against Milwaukee to make the switch or during the five-game road trip beginning Wednesday at Houston. Dampier has started 92 of 95 games since signing with the Mavs before last year, including all 36 games this season. Diop has five starts in 129 career games, none with the Mavs. The scoring numbers are the second-lowest of Dampier’s 10-year career, topping only the 5.1 points he averaged as a rookie in 1996-97. He has not scored in double figures since Nov. 25, the 11th game of the season. Dampier pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game last season, his first with the Mavs, and 12.0 the previous year in Golden State. A look at the top six division leaders going into Thursday, Dampier’s combined points and rebounds (13.2) fall below five of the starting centers. San Antonio’s Rasho Nesterovic, averaging 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds for a total 10.9, is the only center doing less than Dampier. The other five starters fall between 17.3 (Kurt Thomas) and 27.9 (Shaquille O’Neal). But stats, anyway they’re sliced, only tell part of the story. Dampier’s aloofness and tendency to withdraw on the court are sources of frustration among his teammates and coaches. Playing without desire or, as Johnson recently called it “fire," is more disappointing to the coach than a player making mistakes. Johnson can live with miscues born of hard work and hustle. Just not caring, or appearing not to care, is indefensible. How does Johnson deal with someone not living up to their responsibilities? “You take away minutes,’’ he said Friday. It’s gotten to the point that high-ranking personnel within the organization believe Dampier — not Michael Finley — should have been waived under the amnesty clause last summer. Dampier’s contract (seven years, $73 million) now appears Chan Ho Park-like in nature. In other words, Dampier could possibly be the biggest bust in franchise history if he doesn’t turn it around. “You are getting paid to perform a certain way and you owe it to your teammates, yourself and primarily to the game of basketball," Johnson said while not singling out Dampier. Granted, the problems with Dampier aren’t in the same category as Ron Artest or Steve Francis, but for a team trying to compete for a championship, the situation is serious. There’s a school of thought that the Mavs would “lose" Dampier mentally if he’s benched and that’s been considered within the ranks. But the good of the entire team outweighs the impact on one player. Johnson is trying to build a team capable of winning a championship. The Mavericks, in their 26th season, have never played in the NBA Finals. Art Garcia, (817) 390-7760 -- Fort Worth Star Telegram </div> I'd definately like to see this, even just try it for one game. New Jersey doesn't have a strong frontline so it would be good to try. As the article said, he brings intensity and heart into every minute out there. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go for 5-10-5 first game he starts, he just needs to stay out of foul trouble.
Nice breakdown of the game, but I don't think that Vince Carter would be the X factor for the Nets. I would say that RJ would be there X factor. Even though he has had a solid season, he seems to get hurt quite a bit and is being over shadowed by Vince this year. I'm hoping that the Mavs come out and try to make a statement against the Nets and blow them out. They have had a bad habit this year of letting bad teams hang around in games. Hopefully coming off that tough lost against the NYN, the team is focused.
- I dont think they will contain Carter either, they can slow him down a bit though. - I still dont like the idea of Diop starting. I think Damp should be starting this game, even though either way is doable. I hope Diop stays calm and doesnt get into foul-mode. That way he wont have fouls coming in for Damp later in the game. - They also have to try to stop (somewhat) Kidd's passing abilities. He'll no doubt be lookin to kick it to VC. - Dallas also cant dig themselves into a hole as usual....
Finally, Damp needs some tough love. This move should have been made a while back. He simply isn't bringing it on the same level of intensity as Jason Dirk and the rest
Dallas should see this game as one of the real tests of their manhood and season. Jersey is playing great and has highly skilled offensive players. Few teams are better than Jersey right now and that includes the Mavs. Carter will have to be hurried on every possession. We have to own the glass. We cannot turn it over. If we do those three things, then we should win by 10 points even if we shoot 40%. Let's go Mavs.
Yeah I think of this as more of a wakeup call to Dampier. I think the team may take a hit on offense and rebounding with Diop. Dampier at least has a respectable low post game. Diop can only score it seems off a put back on rebounds. Hopefully I'm wrong.
It looks as if Richard Jefferson is out, Nets really struggle offensively when RJ is out so we need to contain Carter
Lets see if the Mavs can start the game off well and determin a early lead instread of having to come back in the second half like they have had to do for some time. We need to contain Vince from getting scoring crazy also.
The Mavs have really come out with a good energy I think trying to get a lead early and building on it. We have done a great job containing Vince making him miss his shots and have done a good job denying Kidd of the ball to control the offense.
Diop is doing a great job bringing energy as he just forced a jump ball and getting it to Dirk for the score.
Diop already making an impact with his energy level. This matchup really favors Diop since Krystic is not much of an inside player. Dallas is up 17-10. The nets really aren't that impressive so far.
Dallas' shooting percentage is down to 43% while Nets is at 55%. We are playing some nice defense, forcing key turnovers (Kidd already has 3) Dirk and Howard our two leading scoring (8 + 6) respectively.
Mavs bringing the heat on the Nets getting a few steals and getting fast paced points as Jason Terry gets the layup and a foul.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mavsfan1000:</div><div class="quote_post">Diop already making an impact with his energy level. This matchup really favors Diop since Krystic is not much of an inside player. Dallas is up 17-10. The nets really aren't that impressive so far.</div> True, but Krstic is their leading scorer. Diop (or even MBenga) should give Krstic one hard foul and try to scare him from going again. Get into his face Dallas been missing a few layups, we need to capitalise on the easy shots (Howard with that one) Interesting to see when Dampier comes in, and his production.
Van Horn for Diop. lol. Dampier really getting taught a lesson from Avery Johnson. I think Damp is getting too much blame for last game but I guess Avery thinks he can motivate Damp to play with more effort.
Van Horn with a great contribution of the bench, playing well against his former team (shame he couldn't do it against Milwaukee). 10 points (2-2 three's) in only 7 minutes Devin Harris has 5 assists! He is outplaying Jason Kidd
