<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DALLAS (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks aim for a seventh consecutive triumph Tuesday when they host the Washington Wizards.The Mavericks, who began the season with four consecutive defeats but have not lost since, are coming off a 93-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday in which Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and Devin Harris added 17.Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse each finished with 15 points for the Mavericks, who shot just 39 percent (32-of-82) from the floor.The Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak with a 111-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 45 points while Antawn Jamison chipped in 16.Dallas swept the teams' two meetings last season.</div> Link<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Who's hot? Gilbert Arenas The Wizards' shooting guard dropped 45 points vs. Cleveland on Saturday and has three 40-plus scoring games through the first three weeks of the season. "All I can see is 45 points he got against Cleveland and LeBron," Avery Johnson said. "He's tough to guard. When he's playing at a high level, he can really carry a team all by himself." Arenas is among the top five in the league at over 28 points per game, although he is prone to the occasional dismal shooting night. ... Erick Dampier has shot better than 50 percent from the field in five consecutive games going into Monday's visit to Charlotte. Who's not: Anthony Johnson The guard has been searching for his shot, having gone 3-of-13 from the field before Monday's game. Johnson has never been a high-percentage shooter, but he's waiting for the hot streak that will balance out some of the cold snaps. ... The Washington defense, one of the league's poorest in recent years, is surrendering more than 103 points per game. Injuries Mavericks: Josh Howard (left ankle) and D.J. Mbenga (left foot) are out; Devean George is doubtful. Wizards: Darius Songaila (back) is out.</div> LinkI dont know, but Dallas Morning News isnt doing that great of a game preview like last year. Last year they had a lot more stuff on it. Anyways, here's what I found.
So basically, we just need to shoot the lights out. Hopefully Stack will be on tonight! Do we know what game Josh is coming back for? I'm assuming he'll be back by time the Hornets come to town.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>So basically, we just need to shoot the lights out. Hopefully Stack will be on tonight! Do we know what game Josh is coming back for? I'm assuming he'll be back by time the Hornets come to town.</div> Last night's broadcast said he should be practicing by this week and might go Saturday. But doubtful. Should be back by next week though. I'm not terribly worried about this game, I think if we can keep it close through three quarters, it should be ours in the 4th. Our play in the 4th during this win stretch has been great.
All the pressure is on Gil's shoulders right now. From tipoff to the end of regulation, he's got to play well. Gil always changes the tempo of the game for the Wizards when his shot isn't falling. Those are the nights where Butler and also Jamison go crazy in the points and rebounds category. It's also where AD is forced to play big minutes. I really dont want that to happen. If he doesn't hit the first couple shots, then he should immediately think about driving the ball to the hoop. That's an easy concept, I guess. Just be careful that you dont get out of control. The X factor of this game is Gil, again, a lot of pressure rests on his shoulders right now. It's a road game, we havent won one yet, he's matching up with his friend/rival Jet from AZ, and whether he can make smart decisions. I think Gil has improved a lot with his decision-making since he first came to D.C. It's just he's inconsistent and his confidence drops sometimes, which is very suprising to see coming from Gil. I dont care if Dirk scores 30, 40, or 50. That's Dirk. We just can't let Terry go off from the 3pt line, or let Dampier kill us on the boards, or let Dallas' bench make a huge difference in this game. Dirk can have his, but shut everyone else DOWN. Especially with Josh Howard and Deaven George out, we should take advantage of their forwards. We can win this game, it's all up to Gil. Sorry for sounding so dramatic. That's just me haha.
Didnt get to see the game, so im judging by the box score. Add another double-double for Dirk. Disapointed in Stacks proformance. Terrible shooting. 7 in a row, great streak. Really cant say much more cause I didnt see the game
This was the first game I've been able to see so far this year, due to my work schedule(out of town and working nights, and is also the reason I don't post as much as I used to, lol.), and I was pretty impressed with what I saw...especially in the second half.The game was pretty much tied going into half time...then Dallas' defense stepped up and held the Wizards to just over 30+ points.Stackhouse didnt' play poorly, but I can see how the box score might say so...he played decent enough defense, and passed the ball around.Dirk played great, once again, and moved the ball out to other open players when he was double teamed.Devin continued his strong play, and tied Terry, who also hit some big time 3's to keep momentum, for 2nd on the team in points with 18.Good game for Dallas, and I can't wait to see if they've improved enough to make it tough for SA in SA this Friday...they won't have Howard, so that'll make it that much tougher.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Stackhouse didnt' play poorly, but I can see how the box score might say so...he played decent enough defense, and passed the ball around.</div>I can understand that. You cant see defense and passing the ball around on a box score. 2-14 fg and 1-5 3 point just look kinda bad imo
^Now when I said "that" poorly, it's all relative when regarding Stack...that's a normal night for him, IMO, lol.He did move the ball around, and was pretty good as an on the ball defender from what I saw tonight....he does, and always has, had trouble with shot selection, but like normal, it didn't hurt. But while he only had 7 points, he did have 5 assist and 5 rebounds, 4 of them offensive, and basically did more good than bad tonight IMO.
