<div align="center"><font color="blue">Dallas Mavericks (26-9)</font> at <font color="Red">Portland Trailblazers (14-24)</font> Sunday January 22nd, 2006 The Rose Garden, Portland 9:00 CT @ </div> [div=50%] <font size="3"> Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="yellow"> <font size="1"><font color="Purple">(S. Blake, J. Dixon, V. Khyrapa, Z. Randolph, J. Pryzbilla) </font></font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Zach Randolph - 18 PPG Leading Rebounder: Zach Randolph - 8.8 RPG Assist Man: Jarret Jack - 2.6 APG The 'X' Factor: Joel Pryzbilla (6.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Green"><font color="Indigo">Getting Zach Randolph</font></font> <font color="Green"><font color="Indigo">involved -</font></font> Dallas was the original team that Randolph had his breakout against, as he had a huge series against Dallas in the 2003 playoffs. When Randolph scores more than 20 points, the Blazers go 9-4, a much higher success rate than usual. If Zach can start with some nice buckets and get a confidence up, the Blazers have a good chance of an upset<font color="Indigo"> </font> [*]<font color="Indigo"><font color="Green"><font color="black"><font color="Indigo">Control the tempo </font>-</font></font><font color="Green"><font color="black"> The Blazers are on a nice winning streak with 4 straight impressive wins. If they can get in early and dictate the pace, it can only be benifical. Unfortunately for the Blazers, athletic swingman Darius Miles won't be available to help with the run n gun. </font></font></font> [*]<font color="Indigo"><font color="Green"><font color="black"><font color="Indigo">Defense on Dallas' main guys</font> - I'm sure Blazer fans remember Nick Van Exel, he was key in the Mavs runs against the Blazers in the playoffs. Well, now we have Jason Terry who scored 22 points on a high percentage last game. Then theres Dirk who is always good for a 20+ outing against Dallas, Zach Randolph is not exactly known for his defense. </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 - 8.6 RPG Assist Man: Jason Terry - 3.7 APG The 'X' Factor: Devin Harris (1.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2 BPG)</font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul> [*]<font color="Blue">Keeping form - <font color="black">Ever since Darrell Armstrong had that talk with Mavericks, and DeSagana Diop was inserted into the starting lineup, Dallas is 4-0 and winning by a margin of 24.75 points. They are decimating opponents in every single way (7 more rebounds per game, 4 more assists per game, 4 less turnovers per game, 7% FG and 15% higher 3PT) </font></font> [*]<font color="Blue">Bench production - <font color="black">Erick Dampier of the bench seems to have been a key move by Avery Johnson. If the Mavericks can keep getting Damp his touches, then Dampier should be having another good game. Bench production from Jerry Stackhouse who has been impressive or Devin Harris whos leading the off the bench scorring and the team in assists and steals </font></font> [*]<font color="Blue"><font color="black"><font color="Blue">Rebounding </font>- Dallas is 16-2 when we have more than 40 rebounds and our opponent has less than 40. For our winning streak, we are holding teams to a mere 33 rebounds per game and absolutely dominating them on the defensive end of the boards. </font></font>[/list]<font size="3"> Did you know? </font><ul> [*]Dallas is 11-1 when they get 20 or more assists per game, the only loss being to Golden State (some say we were robbed)[/list]<font size="3">Prediction </font>I think Dallas continues the winning streak, but with a 10-20 point victory. Nothing too dominating and we see players such as DJ MBenga and Josh Powell get legit playing time in the 4th Dallas 101, Portland 87
As always the mavs need to keep Ruben patterson in check. He's been the mavs killer in the past. For whatever reason, he plays his best game when he plays against us. But this mavs team is on a roll and will keep the 20+ win margin streak going. Mavs: 107 Blazers: 86
San Antonio lost, so if we win this we tie with them. Then we just gotta keep winning. This could help Dirks case for MVP
I was thinking eventually Dallas would struggle a little on offense with Griffin and Diop in the lineup but their defense is incredible. Mavs up 22-15 after 1 quarter.
Dallas looked horrible in that second quarter. They are lucky to only be down 2. Harris not doing much and Dirk not getting involved.
It really felt like Dallas was going to lose this game but Stackhouse caught on fire luckily and Dallas is up 65-60 after 3 quarters.
Dallas up 77-73 with 1:38 left and Portland has the ball. I have a feeling this will go down to a final shot.
Dirk misses a shot. Diop rebounds and misses and gets another rebound and throws to Tery to get fouled with 14 seconds left. Terry makes both so Dallas is up 79-76.
Dallas up by 3 with 41 seconds left. Portland has the ball. Blake has been killing the mavs. I think it is smart to go over the pick this time because Blake is on fire.
Good win by the Mavs tonight, Mavs found the answer to Steve Blake in Devin Harris who won the game for us. Jerry Stackhouse was our offensive catelyst tonight with over 25 points. Adrian Griffin was key to the win with 8 roubounds and 4 steals, good win and best of all.... We are tied with SA in the ranking in the west....Thank you Denver...
If Devin Harris played the last 5 minutes of regulation it wouldn't have gone to overtime. Here is the boxscore.
Mavs 95 Blazers 89 OT Grades: White Knuckle Time Again The Mavs had won 4 blowouts coming into this game. The Blazers were on a 4-0 win streak and had 3 days rest. The Mavs came out strong in the first quarter, but were but a shadow of themselves in the second period. The Mavs pulled out to a 10 point lead late, but Steve Blake, on his way to a season high, got hot, pushing the game into overtime. The Mavs rode Jerry Stackhouse tonight hard as Jerry gets a season high 29 points. The Mavs field goal percentage dropped from ~ 51% in the last 4 games to only 40.2% but the Mavs also only had 10 turnovers tonight. UPN21: A+, Incredible work during the breaks. Just when you think they have set the standard, they raise the bar again! +36 Johnson: A, The Mavs fell flat in the second period, but they were ready to go at the start and coming out of the locker room. Avery got the opportunity to do lots of substitutions in the overtime (mainly Jerry for Adrian) and they paid off. Howard: B, Josh played better than last night, but still misses the double-double mark with 13 points (6-14 FG, 1-2 FT) and 7 rebounds. +14 Nowitzki: B+, Dirk only had 6 points in the first half, but managed to get going in the second half. Dirk?s big plus tonight was his defense with a blocked shot and 2 steals plus many more deflections. +17 Diop: B, DeSagana again struggled with foul trouble, but picked up 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Zero turnovers. +7 Griffin: A; Adrian only had 1 point, but the Mavs wouldn?t have been close in this one without Adrian?s key steals and rebounding. +10 Terry: B-, Jason struggled with his shot tonight and was probably injured as it looked like he was icing his hand while on the bench. Still, Jason got to 11 points (4-14 FG, 1-6 treys, 2-2 FT). +2 Stackhouse: A+, Jerry was rocking tonight as the Mavs rode his offense to a game high 29 points (also a season high for Jerry). Just to top it off: Zero turnovers. +26 Harris: A+; Devin played well and arguably had the play of the game in overtime with a steal for the and-one that helped seal the game. Devin got to 15 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 treys, 7-9 FT), 3 assists and 2 steals against Zero turnovers. +17 Dampier: A, Erick couldn?t make a field goal, but he grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked 2 shots tonight. His hustle was key tonight, as Erick was really moving to grab some of his offensive boards. +7 Powell: DNP-CD. Armstrong : DNP-CD. Darrell was available if needed (sprained ankle). M?Benga: DNP-CD Van Horn: DNP- CD. Keith was available if needed (sprained ankle). Daniels: DNP-Inactive, Marquis is out yet again with neck swelling from the Kurt Thomas clothes line hit. Marshall : DNP-Inactive, Rawle has been sent to the Fort Worth Flyers (NBDL) to get playing time. Podkolzin: DNP-Inactive, Pavel had surgery to repair his right foot. Typical Chef Ed Type
tied with the spurs! i hope this time we cant take the lead away from them...and let it stay that until the end of the playoffs...but if we ever stay #1 i hope the lakers, i mean kobe, dont sink to that 8th seed...cuz i seriously dont want the mavs to play against him in the playoffs
Kobe is an incredible player but he will need help for the lakers to actually win the series. If the mavs face the lakers I say mavs in 6. I thought the mavs were tired that night when Kobe went off.
