<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center">Game 2-Wednesday, April 25, 2007</div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">VS</span></div><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Starting Lineups </span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#0000FF">Dallas Mavericks</span></span>C-Erick Dampier2MIN-0PTS-3REB-0AST-BLKPF-Dirk Nowitzki-39MIN-14PTS-12REB-4AST-3BLKSF-Josh Howard-43MIN-21PTS-13REB-2AST-3STLSG-Devean George-31MIN-10PTS-5REB-1AST-1STLPG-Jason Terry-37MIN-17PTS-4REB-3AST-1STLDirk has to have a much better game than this. I expect to him to have at least 25pts, 10reb, and 5ast. Also, don?t be surprised if Avery still goes with the backcourt of Terry and Harris instead of George and Terry.<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#FFFF00">Golden State Warriors</span></span>C-Al Harrington-38MIN-7PTS-10REB-1AST-0STLPF-Stephen Jackson-45MIN-23PTS-5REB-4AST-2STLSF-Jason Richardson-41MIN-13PTS-6REB-0AST-1BLKSG-Monta Ellis-23MIN-7PTS-2REB-0AST-0STLPG-Baron Davis-44MIN-31PTS-14REB-8AST-3STLDon?t expect Baron to have as monster of game, but I do think Ellis and Richardson will probably have a little bit of a jump in their numbers, esp. Ellis.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Key Reserves</span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#0000FF">Dallas</span></span>SG-Jerry Stackhouse-20MIN-0PTS-1REB-3AST-1STLPG-Devin Harris-37MIN-19PTS-3REB-2AST-2STLC-DeSagana Diop-16MIN-4PTS-6REB-0AST-2BLKSG-Greg Buckner-13MIN-0PTS-3RREB-1AST-0STLJerry has to be embarrassed about his dull performance on Sunday. Along with his 0pts, 1reb stats, he also had a team high 5 turnovers. Stack is probably going to come into Game 2 and have a much better game since he will want to prove that Dallas is still the team in the drivers seat. <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#FFFF00">Golden State</span></span>SF-Matt Barnes-25MIN-10PTS-4REB-3AST-2STLSG-Mickael Pietrus-16MIN-2PTS-3REB-0AST-1BLKC-Andris Biedrins-8MIN-2PTS-1REB-0AST-1BLKBarnes came into the game and was an immediate impact on the game. I remember he literally stripped a rebound from Dirk and on a free throw attempt by Richardson I believe and in general was the one who came in and got as many loose balls as he could. Should and probably will come in game 2 with the same impact. <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Rounding Out The Bench</span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#0000FF">Dallas</span></span>PF-Austin Croshere-DNPC-Kevin Willis-DNPPG-JJ Barea-DNP<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#FFFF00">Golden State</span></span> SG-Kelenna Azubuike-DNPPG-Sarunas Jasikevicius-DNPC-Adonal Foyle-DNPPF-Josh Powell-DNP<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Key Match up-<span style="color:#0000FF">Avery Johnson</span> vs. <span style="color:#FFFF00">Don Nelson</span></span>VSI still think this is the key match up. As everyone saw in game 1, Avery was clearly out coached by one of his mentors(his other is Greg Popovich). I think he made a major mistake in game 1 by trying to play in their style instead of the Dallas Maverick style that got them 67 regular season wins and a number 1 seed in the West. Nelson is still playing mind tricks with his players and getting them to max out their talent and it shows in their performance. I?d think that Avery goes back to the big lineup of Damp-Dirk-Howard in the frontcourt, so I think the ball is in Nelson?s court to make a change or make sure that they don?t let the two 7 footers abuse them on the boards. I?m positive Nelson has something else in his sleeve.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">X Factors</span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#0000FF">Dallas-Josh Howard</span></span>I?m thinking Howard is the X-Factor in Game 2 because he will probably be defending Baron Davis for a good amount of time. Everyone knows how Davis went off in the 3rd quarter of Game 1 with like 3 three?s and just a ton of points on everything from jump shots to penetration in the lane. This is who I?d put on Davis since Howard is tall and long. He has the ability to get into the opposing player and give him trouble always on the attack. He is also fast enough and strong enough to guard Davis. The two that were on Davis in Game 1 were the ?Devean?s? as in Harris and George. George was too slow to keep Davis out of the lane, and Harris wasn?t strong enough to keep up with him on the blocks. Not saying that they wont take turns on him, but when the game is on the line don?t be surprised if Howard is on Davis. <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#FFFF00">Golden State-Al Harrington</span></span>I still think if Harrington plays well against Damp and Diop, they have a better chance of winning more games in this series. He has to be able to either:a) keep Damp and Diop at bay on the offensive boardsb) make sure they get into foul trouble on the other endNow Harrington is a good player, so he should get anything from the 14 to 20 point range, and I would be rather happy if he only scores that amount against the much bigger slower, Maverick centers. At the end of the game, he has to make sure that when Avery looks at the game and adds up his production and the production of Damp and Diop, that his production is way greater. <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Game One Result-Dallas Winner</span>Dallas hasn?t lost back to back games in over a month and then to find the next back to back loses, you have to go back to that 0-4 start at the beginning of the season which was Nov 6th and 8th of 06. On top of that, they are still at home and are probably embarrassed that they lost a game 1 against an 8th seed. They have a whole lot of people in the media questioning Avery?s decision on the lineup, Dirk?s leadership, and Dallas being able to beat Golden State in general. Hell, they will probably make this into a good thing and maybe this really is a wakeup call for Dallas that this year?s playoffs isn?t going to be a cakewalk (not that last year?s was or anything though). Also, you cant except for Dallas to shoot as horrible as they did in game 1. No way they go for 35% from the field with Stack going 0-6, Dirk at 4-16, and Howard at 8-21.
Don Nelson is awesome. Did you hear his comments earlier on ESPN? I really want to see him beat Cuban's team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Apr 24 2007, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Don Nelson is awesome. Did you hear his comments earlier on ESPN? I really want to see him beat Cuban's team.</div>He waters down his comments so much on ESPN. You should hear his comments on FSN when he's drunk, so awesome.T: "why don't you play Jasikevicius back up minutes at PG?"Nelson: "Because he's a dumb bastard with a stupid name. Say, this is the best interview I've ever had, Barbieri that dumb bastard hasn't said a word."T: "He's sick today"Nelson: "And a good thing too, I hate that guy"
I think that Diop and Damp are obviously the X factors for the Mavs, not Howard. The Mavs were like +15 when Dampier or Diop were in the game, and like minus 25 without them.EDIT: not quite that bad, the Mavericks were +6 with Diop, -18 without him. Dampier played like two minutes.BTW, I think the Mavericks win 106-95
I expect a lot from Dallas. The players know mentaly they have to take the Warriors serious. Mavs really need to develop a set and consistant offense. The way they shot the ball Sunday night wasnt anything what the Mavs a capable of doing. I hope the switch to Dampier will help. If Dirk and Stack are shooting like they can, Mavs are in favor of winning tonight. No way Mavs go 0-2 into Oakland. And give the Warriors an advantage of 2 home games in a rowpj...Kevin Willis?
I really cant wait for this game. I didnt get to catch much of Game 1 but this one will be interesting. How will Avery Johnson and the Mavericks respond to a dissapointing start? Will Baron Davis be the x-factor again? Those are just some of the questions coming into the game.Everyone is assuming Dallas bounces back, but how interesting would it be if Golden State, a 8 seed, takes a 2-0 lead over the consensus favorite to win the Finals.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Point Blank @ Apr 25 2007, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Can't wait for tipoff.. Sick of people riding the Warriors nuts!</div>Stupid comment. The Warriors have gone 10 f*cking years without any love from anybody in the press, anywhere and had the biggest upset game thus far in a series that nobody gave them a chance in (except me). If they don't deserve a little bit of press for that then what do they have to do?
I 100 percent agree with Charles Barkley, Dirk needs to get inside, and get some points in the paint tonight. He should post up down there, and try to receive the ball down there. They have no one on the court that is going to be able to guard him on the low block, there should be no reason for him not to be there tonight, and receive the ball there regularly.edit: And I love them trying to go to Dampier down low already in the game, even if he did pass out. He is so big, they won't be able to guard him.
Not a great start for Dallas, I expected more after the last loss. They need to get Dirk in postup position. Right now he just isn't a big factor.
Jesus Christ Dallas is playing stupid...They are trying to run with this team when it is clear that they cant. Slow down the pace of the game and put the ball INSIDE! They dont have a great post up game, but they need to try. Post up Howard, George, Diop, Dirk, and Dampier...That is how they are going to win. From what I have seen, they cant beat this team by running with them. Their guards shoot to well, and this team is too good at getting to the hole. If I was Dallas, I would play zone, and I would play a VERY slow paced game...The funny thing is, I think Golden State would lose to the Spurs in 6 games at the most, but they are giving Dallas a real run for their money...
After the first 5 quarters of the series I don't know which team I'd rather have win. The Warriors are looking scary. I'd still like Dallas to lose the first round though.
^^^Of course you are, it looks like the Suns will care more about this series seeing as how the Lakers are aparrently already on vacation.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Michael Bryant @ Apr 25 2007, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^^^Of course you are, it looks like the Suns will care more about this series seeing as how the Lakers are aparrently already on vacation.</div>You actually think the Lakers have a chance still? It is over. I'm not playing the game so I don't have to pretend like they still have a chance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>After the first 5 quarters of the series I don't know which team I'd rather have win. The Warriors are looking scary. I'd still like Dallas to lose the first round though.</div>I think you should worry more about the Nugs/Spurs series.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Apr 25 2007, 08:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think you should worry more about the Nugs/Spurs series.</div>I'm worrying about both, and yes mostly the Nuggs/Spurs. I'm rooting for the Nuggets too.
No matter the outcome tonight I expect a huge game from Baron Davis in Game 3. Pissed players usually perform best.Golden State seems to be getting too flashy. Everytime they go between the legs Dallas gets a steal or something goes wrong.
Baron just screwed Golden State's chances of winning this game, IMO. I don't think they can get it done down the stretch without him, that was a costly mistake. He's playing innocent by saying "What, you can't clap anymore?" but he KNOWS that he did it to mock the refs. He has to know that you can't do that. I don't agree with the fact that they get T'd up for that, but it's nothing new. Baron knows better than that. I'll also point out that Wade said "Eddy, good call" and clapped to a ref and never got hit with a T. They have to be consistent with it.
Dallas is pulling away with it. They want this so bad, Golden state is cruising as far as I know, turnovers killing them.
