Mavericks at Phoenix Suns preview9:30 p.m. today, US Airways Center, Ch. 21, TNT; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270 in Spanish)12:33 AM CDT on Thursday, April 13, 2006By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning NewsSeries: Mavericks lead, 2-1KEY MATCHUPJASON TERRY VS. STEVE NASHTerry has been playing some of his best basketball since the All-Star break. He has averaged 19 points and shot 51.2 percent in the last 26 games. His scoring has taken a bit of a dip since Josh Howard's return, but he's still shooting the ball well. Nash, meanwhile, is making a push for his second consecutive MVP trophy. He's averaged 25.0 points, 8.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds in his three games against the Mavericks and took over during the fourth quarter of the Suns' only victory in the series this season.Inside the MavsMaking a difference: How important is Josh Howard? The Mavericks are 7-1 against the four teams in the conference finals last season (San Antonio, Phoenix, Detroit and Miami) with him and 0-3 without him. Overall this season, the team is 19-0 when he scores 20 or more points and is 28-3 when he goes for at least 15 points.Briefly: The Mavericks have averaged 106.7 points and shot 47.6 percent from the field against the Suns this season. ... Dirk Nowitzki has scored 20 or more in 25 consecutive games.Inside the SunsSplit decision: Phoenix will be the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, but the Suns are 9-9 since March 9. The defensive improvement they displayed earlier this season has eroded since the injury to center Kurt Thomas.Briefly: The Suns overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Sacramento on Tuesday by scoring 74 points in the second half. ... Phoenix averages more than 10 made 3-pointers a game. ... Shawn Marion ranks in the top 40 in six of the top eight statistical categories.PROBABLE STARTERSMavs Pos. SunsJosh Howard F Tim ThomasDirk Nowitzki F Shawn MarionDeSagana Diop C Boris DiawJerry Stackhouse G Raja BellJason Terry G Steve Nashhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...p.17158322.html
Well hopefully the Mavs will come out and play strong since they were embarrased last night.The suns haven't been playing their best ball lately, and that might help.
I don't have a good feeling about the mavs against the suns either. Last night was disheartening how the mavs were badly outplayed.
^^'That's good, since you doubted us against Spurs and predicted a win against Warriors. And we saw how those ended up. No offense.
lol, well that's good, then .Dude, Dallas needs to play Nash properly, and I think we can win. Dirk also needs to play his game like where did in that 3rd matchup.He even had a chance for a triple-double, but only got 5 assists. He needs improved passing.I doubt that Dirk will have a double-team on him, but if he does, he could have a big passing game.
I read on another board that hit me, that we should really just start giving Dirk, Terry, Howard a game or 2 off before playoffs. Looking at Bron's recent injury, you don't want to jeopardize anything as it seems 1st seed is just not happening.
No, Dirk and Terry will be fine, as long as they aren't too aggressive. I'm kind of worried about Jay Ho, though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>No, Dirk and Terry will be fine, as long as they aren't too aggressive. I'm kind of worried about Jay Ho, though.</div>Yes because Dirk and Terry are made of steel. What do you expect them to do when their playing, play like pansies? Their going to be aggressive, that's why I said get rest and possibly a game off. Oh and on this game, I can't believe how unconcious Suns can be from the field. It's not even funny how many shots they've made with ease. Especially Tim Thomas going off from 3. Oh and I know this will irritate mavsfan, but Powell is up there with Damp in bad hands. Also, the guy can't finish downlow, why doesn't he just put the ball back out instead of trying to put up a layup with three defenders on him. This is like the 3rd or 4th game he's done that.He rebounds so well, but then tries to put it up in a crowd, it frustrates me to see that when he can simply pass it back out and use the shot clock.Also, Terry is in a slump, this worries me heading into the playoffs. His shot is off, and he's not playing any defense of late. He's key against the Suns, he needs to match Nash and he's not doing it.Hopefully we come out strong for 2nd half, and the Suns cooled off.
Man, Dirk and Terry played well, and I thought Armstrong really tried. I dunno what happened...OH WELL...when's our next game?
Terry didn't play well till the 4th quarter.We lost because we made stupid mistakes again, a lot of stupid passing that led to Suns fastbreak.Next game is against Utah.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Apr 14 2006, 04:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh and I know this will irritate mavsfan, but Powell is up there with Damp in bad hands. Also, the guy can't finish downlow, why doesn't he just put the ball back out instead of trying to put up a layup with three defenders on him. This is like the 3rd or 4th game he's done that.He rebounds so well, but then tries to put it up in a crowd, it frustrates me to see that when he can simply pass it back out and use the shot clock.</div>I was thinking the same thing. hopefully thats due to him being a rookie and not because of his skills. I can now recall 2 times that he has missed an alley oop because he's dropped the ball. hopefully he can get that problem worked out in the summer. Overall, i think no one showed up to play on the mavs except Dirk and Armstrong. Everyone else didnt really start playing with any urgency until about the 6 minute mark in the 3rd quarter. Also, i think some of those flagrant calls werent flagrants. in paticular, the one on Darrell Armstrong. Sun players just great actors.
Well, suns are 52-26 now. Obviously, nowhere near as good as last year, but I think they're more dangerous.
Well I was right about this game. The mavs defense against 3 pointers has got to improve. They looked mentally fatigued tonight. Especially Jason Terry. Glad the mavs don't play the suns till the WCF if they get there. The suns are a matchup nightmare.
Wagas, the Suns more dangerous this year than last year?Umm..they are missing Amare...I mean he's a BUM and all, but he's important to that team, wouldn't you think? LOL.And as for the game, the Mavs just look like they've given up on the home court advantage, and just look like they want the playoffs to start.Besides, the Suns shot 66 percent or something from 3 point range, and we're not talking about making 6 of 9...they made like 13 to 16 or so.That's not going to happen everygame.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Besides, the Suns shot 66 percent or something from 3 point range, and we're not talking about making 6 of 9...they made like 13 to 16 or so.That's not going to happen everygame.</div>Exactly, they shot over 70% I believe from 3. Also, count in we sat Stack/Diop, Harris couldn't go a lot of minutes. It was more of a game, if we did well and won, great. But it wasn't one of those games Mavs seemed to be in. It's looking more and more like the team is willing to lose to get ready for the playoffs rather then play their asses off to win.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, but we need Dirk to be a leader in the final two games and hope Spurs lose last 2.</div>I rather Dirk sit out then play him in the final 2 meaningless games in the regular season. Spurs losing 2 is a lost hope.Quit worrying about the regular season and Dirk's numbers.
