Mavs-Clippers preview7 p.m., today, American Airlines Center, ESPN/Ch. 21; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270 Spanish)08:52 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 18, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsSeries: Mavs lead 3-0 this season, 67-42 all timeKey matchupElton Brand vs. Dirk Nowitzki: Any time there are two MVP candidates on the floor at the same position, it's worth watching. Neither player has done much against each other. Nowitzki has averaged 21 points on 37.9 percent shooting in three meetings. He has nine turnovers to just seven assists. Brand has scored 17.3 points a game on 40 percent shooting against the Mavs.Inside the ClippersBest of times: They have eclipsed their record for most victories in a season since the franchise moved from Buffalo to San Diego. The previous high was 45 wins by the 1991-92 team. The Clippers are in the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and only the third time since the Buffalo days ended in 1978.Briefly: They are mostly an offensive-minded team, but they can "D" it up on occasion. They held New Orleans to 16 second-half points in an 89-67 win last month. ... Sam Cassell remains the head of this snake, although he probably won't play much, if any, because of a hyperextended right knee. Expect Shaun Livingston to see plenty of time.Inside the MavericksProducing when it means something: There is no better testament to Josh Howard's play this season than the fact that the Mavericks are 19-0 when he scores 20 or more points. That proves that he's not piling up meaningless points in games that are already decided. When he is assertive offensively, the Mavericks win. Period.Briefly: An excellent snapshot of Adrian Griffin's worth this season: He has 51 steals to only 37 turnovers. ... A win tonight gives the Mavericks a 35-6 home record, one off the franchise record in 2003-04. ... Barring something odd, Dirk Nowitzki and Erick Dampier will be the only Mavericks to play in all 82 games this season.PROBABLE STARTERSClippers Pos. MavericksElton Brand F Dirk NowitzkiQuinton Ross F Josh HowardChris Kaman C DeSagana DiopCuttino Mobley G Adrian GriffinSam Cassell G Jason Terryhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...p.1212f5ac.html
It would be nice to get 61, but do we need it? Actually, do DO need it, for extra momentum. Avery will play Dirk for 40 minutes so Dirk can get his groove on for the postseason. Don't thing negative about an injury or anything. Terry played well in the the playoffs with rest, so let Terry rest. Pavel should definitely some playing time along with Damp.Just let Dirk and Terry and Stack be the main offense players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Apr 19 2006, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pavel is expected to play tonight according to Avery. Sounds like were not going for 61.</div>Gosh i am defenatly watching tonight. i want to see how good this guy is. I think we will still win the game. Brand, Kaman, Cassell and company prolly wont get much playing time either. I think our reserves are WAY better than theirs. I'd take Powell, Mbenga, Marshall, and Armstrong over Singleton, Baker, Boniface Ndong, and Walter McCarty. Hopefully we get the win though.
I would rather see Mbenga. He has some potential with that athleticism he has. Also his improved shot.
We've seen Mbenga lots this year, yeah he'll play too, but we haven't seen Pavel play, and most of us would like to see just how good he is.
Or how good he isn't. I don't think he's ready yet. He couldn't do much even in the cba so good luck tonight. lol
He did okay in the NBDL, not great, but decent.But you can never tell until he plays real NBA talent.
All I could say is when I did watch him he was a step slow. Speed and quickness is very important for basketball. Especially if you lack it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Apr 19 2006, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>All I could say is when I did watch him he was a step slow. Speed and quickness is very important for basketball. Especially if you lack it.</div>Well duh, of course he is going to have a step slow against most people in the nba. He's 7'5. I think thats the equalizer. name me 10 players that can move him off the blocks.His size makes it ok that he might be slow.
People aren't going to play behind him unless they're stupid. They will front him and he doesn't have the quickness to get to the ball like Shaq does.
Now Mavsfan, watch Livingston since you dont think he will be that good. You'll see that he is going to be just as good as Harris.
I agree, Livingston is going to be a great player, hes got good instincts and the best thing of all is his height. He a 6' 7" PG that is a very good advantage
Height advantage doesn't matter as much as a point guard as other positions. It is hard for a point guard to post up since they have to distribute. You want your point guard to have the speed to go by players. Devin Harris has that. Livingston not as much. I'm not too impressed so far. Terry left Livingston once for an open jumper.
Damn, Armstrong just went down. I dont know whats wrong, something to do with his foot or leg. Hopefully he isnt hurt really bad.
I just saw that too, that sucks we need him right now. I hope its not bad and that he'll be able to come back for the playoffs
All this game I am worried about injuries. It sucks playing games that doesn't mean anything except to stay healthy.
Wow...whoever said we cant have 3 centers on the court at the same time?? They have Diop, Mbenga, and Podkolzin out there along with Powell and Marshall at the guard spots. :HAHAHA: :HAHAHA:
