Didn't see one for this game..Dallas off to a great start, but Dirk gets injured in the game for the second time against the Sixers this year. Hanging on to a 15 point lead after 3 quarters. Hope Dirk's back for Thursday's game against the Spurs..
He landed awkwardly on Griffin's foot and tweaked his ankle and was also holding his back. He got back in the 4th quarter. Not much to worry, I guess. Harris and Van Horn were also out tonite.
Mavs 104 Sixers 92 Grades: Mavs start off strong: 10-0! The Mavs had 8 points in the first minute and scored on their first 10 possessions as Dallas extended the NBA?s longest home court streak at 15 games. The Mavs put their vaunted depth to a test tonight as they started the game with Josh Howard and Devin Harris hurt. Keith was a game time scratch with the flu. Josh Powell had just been sent down to the Fort Worth Flyers and was unavailable to help in the post and Dirk was out for most of the third period. The Sixers got within single digits several times behind Iverson?s 29 points, Chris Webber?s 19 points, and Kyle Korver? 19 points but the Mavs energy was just too much for the Sixers. The Mavs are now 13-0 against the LEast. Got to hope the Mavs are a lot healthier for Thursday night?s matchup with the Spurs. Laura Green : A+; Laura stayed busy tonight from pre-game all the way through the post-game interviews. +36 UPN 21 : A++; Made you look! No kidding! +36 Johnson: A+, Avery had his team ready to go tonight, unfortunately he was missing a starter and two key bench players. The intensity was sky-high to start the game. Sure would love to see more of it! Daniels: A; Marquis got the start tonight with Josh sitting out and came out swinging on his way to 16 points (6-16 FG, 0-0 trey, 4-7 FT), including the Mavs opening bucket on their initial 10-0 run to start the game. This was really one of Marquis? best efforts in a long long time. Daniels still missed some bunnies, but he also delivered 8 assists against Zero turnovers. +15 Nowitzki: A+; Dirk had 17 points in the first period alone. The entire Mavs nation had a scare at the beginning of the third when Dirk stepped on Adrian Griffin?s foot and rolled his ankle. Dirk was gone nearly the entire third period getting x-rays. Dirk did come back for the fourth (11 points) and went on to 32 points (11-20 FG, 3-6 FT, 7-7 FT) to go with 13 rebounds. +37 Diop: B+; DeSagana delivered a nice game tonight with 7 rebounds and 6 points (2-4 FG, 2-2 FT). +11 Terry: A+; Jason remains on fire from behind the arc (tonight 6-7), as in the last 8 games, Terry is shooting ~60%. Jason was easily the player of the game tonight as he kept the Mavs in the game with Dirk in the locker room in the third period with 14 of the Mavs points. Jason ended up with 24 points despite sitting most of the second period with foul trouble. Jason also pitched in 7 assists and 2 steals against only one turnover. +29 Griffin: B+; Adrian had a much better effort tonight with 8 rebounds , 4 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. +12 Stackhouse: C-; Jerry was back to coming off the bench tonight, but continued to struggle with his shot as he really struggled with his shot selection. Jerry only had 3 free throws tonight (3-3) but was only 2-11 from the field, including 0-2 from behind the arc. Jerry had no assists tonight but did lead the team with 4 turnovers. Easily one of his worst games of the season. -3 Dampier: B+; Erick provided the other half of the Mavs? center combination with 9 points (2-3 FG, 5-6 FT) and 5 rebounds. +11 Armstrong : A+; Darrell, for the second game in a row, was a difference maker for the Mavs tonight as Devin was unavailable and Jason was in foul trouble. Armstrong got 24 minutes tonight which had to give his lungs a real workout. Darrell scored 6 points (2-5 FG, 0-1 trey, 2-2 FT), grabbed 5 rebounds and had fun drawing charges. +12 M?Benga: DNP-CD. Marshall : DNP-CD Van Horn: DNP-CD, Keith was out with the flu. Harris: DNP-CD. Devin is out with a left quad contusion. Howard: DNP-CD, Inactive with a rolled right ankle. Podkolzin: DNP-CD, Inactive. Pavel had surgery to repair his right foot and ankle. Powell: DNP-Inactive, Rawle has been sent to the Fort Worth Flyers (NBDL) to get playing time. Typical Chef Ed Type
Great game, and since they were playing my local team, i got to watch the whole thing. Dirk would've had an easy 40+ point night if not for that awkward fall, but all in all the Mavericks controlled the game. It got a little too close for comfort down the stretch, but still a good game. Can't wait till the big showdown this week
