<font size="-1">EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News</font> Series: Lakers lead 2-0 this season and 86-23 all-time. Key matchup Kobe Bryant vs. Adrian Griffin: Of all the amazing numbers Bryant is running up, here's a good one: He was averaging 36 points at the end of January, the first time a player has averaged that much through January since Michael Jordan averaged 37.2 in 1986-87. He finished at 37.1. Bryant clearly is on a huge scoring binge, and the Mavericks have to figure out a way to keep him from going crazy. Anything under 40 points is acceptable these days with Bryant. Inside the Lakers Mihm making his mark: Before missing one game with a right shoulder injury, former Texas Longhorn Chris Mihm had been on a nice roll, averaging 13.4 points and eight rebounds in the previous five games. He had 10 points in 17 minutes in LA's 109-106 win at AAC in December. Briefly: They are 1-4 so far on a seven-game road trip that ends Wednesday in Houston. ... Injuries have hurt them as starters Mihm (shoulder) and Lamar Odom (ribs) are doubtful. ... The Lakers have played as many close games as any team in the league. They are 12-11 when the final margin is six points or fewer. Inside the Mavericks Ranking the streaks: Dirk Nowitzki is the only Mavericks player left who also was part of the franchise-best 14-game streak in 2002-03. Other than it coming at the start of the season, he doesn't remember much. "We won 14 in a row, but we didn't win the ring, so it didn't really mean anything," he said. Briefly: The Lakers are the only team this season to have beaten the Mavericks twice. ... Jason Terry has hit at least one 3-point field goal in 28 consecutive games. ... Marquis Daniels did not play Saturday, the first time this season he's sat out because of a coach's decision. He is available to play tonight <font size="3">Projected Starting Lineups </font><div align="center"><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> <font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font> <font size="3"><font size="2"> vs</font></font> <font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font> <font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font><font size="3"><font size="2"> </font></font></div>
Poo on you Maverick. I don't give the Lakers a chance tonight, but I just hope PJax finds heavy minutes for Bynum and also some playing time for Turiaf. The key tonight is for Kobe Bryant to not get injured.
Mavs defended Kobe pretty good, Devin Harris in particular and let Cook have a career game..But its 12 in a row in the end and we're #1 in the West.
The Mavericks have really good balance as a team in all aspects. Number 1 record in the west, but id bet all my money on the Spurs beating them in a 7 game series.
id bet all the money I had on the rockets beating the mavs 4 out of 7 in the playoffs cuz rockets are obviously an overall better team
Mavs 102 Lakers 87 Grades: Mavs Bean Lakers Actually, no grades since I haven?t been able to watch the taped game yet?.High School ball comes first! Howard: Josh backed up Dirk with 22 points (9-13 FG, 0-0 trey, 4-8 FT) and grabbed 10 rebounds. +29 Nowitzki: Dirk leads the Mavs with 26 points (8-16 FG, 1-3 treys, 9-10 FT) and 12 boards. +28 Diop: DeSagana had 2 blocked shots, 2 points (1-2 FG), 1 steal and 1 rebound in 14 minutes. +4 Terry: Jason scored 10 points (3-8 FG, 1-2 treys, 3-4 FT) but had 2 turnovers to only 1 assist. +4 Griffin: Adrian scored 4 points (2-2 FG) and grabbed 1 board. +4 Dampier: Erick pitched in 5 points (1-5 FG, 3-9 FT) and had 10 rebounds to go with 1 blocked shot in 21 minutes. Zero turnovers. +7 Harris: Devin has 10 points (1-4 FG, 8-10 FT) and 4 assists. Zero turnovers. +12 Stackhouse: Jerry had 14 points (5-13 FG, 1-4 treys, 3-3 FT) along with 5 assists. +13 Van Horn: Keith pitches in 7 points (3-5 FG, 1-2 treys), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and a blocked shot. +13 Daniels: Marquis had 2 points (1-2 FG) and 1 steal in 6 minutes. +1 M?Benga: DJ had 1 blocked shot in less than a minute. +1 Armstrong : DNP-CD. Powell: DNP-CD. Podkolzin: DNP-CD, Pavel had surgery to repair his right foot and ankle. Marshall : Marshall : DNP-Inactive, Rawle has been sent to the Fort Worth Flyers (NBDL) to get playing time. Typical Chef Ed Type
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tracymcgrady_01:</div><div class="quote_post">id bet all the money I had on the rockets beating the mavs 4 out of 7 in the playoffs cuz rockets are obviously an overall better team</div>
