Details: When: Thursday, December 9th Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas Time (Seattle): 5:30 TV: Fox Sports Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (16-3)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="royalblue">Dallas (13-7)</font> Darrell Armstrong Josh Howard Dirk Nowitzki Alan Henderson Erick Dampier Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Vitaly Potapenko: Broken hand, ruled out. Ibo Kutluay: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Flip Murray: Quadricep strain, unlikely. Nick Collison: Knee, Questionable. <font color="royalblue">Dallas</font> Tariq Abdul-Wahad: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Michael Finley: Sprained ankle, ruled out. Pavel Podkolzin: Torn knee cartiledge, ruled out. Marquis Daniels: Sore ankle, Gametime decision. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The Sonics enter Dallas on the second leg of their back to back Texas trip, sitting 8-1 on the second leg of back to back sets this season thus far. After dispatching the Spurs' 21 game home winning streak, confidence will be sky high, but a red-hot Dirk Nowitzki stands in Seattle's way. Last season, the season series had plenty of highlights, including a freak Antione Walker buzzer beater and 43 points from Nowitzki, a 25 point last quarter from Michael Finley and a rookie double double of 16 points and 13 assists from Luke Ridnour. Dallas don't have Steve Nash, Walker or Antawn Jamison anymore, but they're still very dangerous. [/list] <ul> [*]Rashard Lewis loves playing Dallas. Whether he's scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for his first career double double (in Dennis Rodman's Maverick debut no less), or putting back and errant Brent Barry trey with an amazing tommohawk, there's something about his home of Texas that brings out the best in Shard. His opponent is the in-form Josh Howard. Howard plays tough defense, rebounds exceptionally well and is an underrated scorer. He will give Lewis a tough time on both ends with his pesky defense and athletic slashing game. However, the Mavericks could go big like they did against the Wolves, meaning Lewis will get Dirk and Ray will have to deal with Howard's energetic play. [/list] <ul> [*]Ridnour Watch: Luke didn't play his best game against the Spurs, posting modest stats in under 30 minutes, but it didn't stop him providing a couple of highlights. On the halftime buzzer, Luke went between two defenders to hit the tough lay-up. In the second half as the Spurs were making their run, he hit an offbalance shot that kissed in off the glass. Maybe he could teach Timmay a thing or two. Anyway, against Dallas, he'll have both ends of the stick. Veteran energy man darrell Armstrong started last game at Minnesota, while rookie Devin Harris sat, and Jason Terry continues to come off the bench. A tough night is in store for the Seattle sophomore sensation. [/list] <div align="center"><u>Random Family Guy Quote</u></div> Lois: Good, I don't have to cook. Peter: Oh, no, go ahead and cook anyway, Lois, and we'll throw it out. I don't want you to get rusty All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Finley returns to the lineup today for the mavs tonight. It'll be a bit tough for the Sonics to play on a back to back in Texas. I'd like to see how well the Sonics shoot the 3 tonight. Mavs are the best in defending the 3 point in the league. I expect Danny Fortson/Rashard Lewis to have big games tonight. If the Mavs can defend the 3's as they always do and stop Fortson/Lewis from having above average games, the mavs can win this by 8.
I am Betting money on this Game Dallas Better win Dirk will have a Monster Game Dallas wins in overtime
We've all heard repeatedly that Rashard Lewis has improved defensively (which I whole heartedly believe), and tonight will be his biggest test to date. Dirk has always seem to have big games against the Supes--including a 43 point explosion at the Key last season. I'm sure that Lewis will rotate guarding Dirk w/ Reggie Evans but Evans is too small to contest Dirk's jump shots. Our best bet of containing Dirk is to put Lewis on him. I think that he is up for the task.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">We've all heard repeatedly that Rashard Lewis has improved defensively (which I whole heartedly believe), and tonight will be his biggest test to date. Dirk has always seem to have big games against the Supes--including a 43 point explosion at the Key last season. I'm sure that Lewis will rotate guarding Dirk w/ Reggie Evans but Evans is too small to contest Dirk's jump shots. Our best bet of containing Dirk is to put Lewis on him. I think that he is up for the task.</div> Actually, I think Radman is a better match for Dirk and better defender overall. If he can contribute, I see him getting a lot of minutes off the bench tonight.
I don't think Fin will play, even though he's making a push to be healthy. The good thing about whoever guards Dirk (whether it be Lews, Radmanovic or both at times), they'll get their shots at the other end. For all his offensive brilliance, he is still a lazy and at times, horrible defender, and will always give you a chance to score and get looks. It's imperative to knock those looks down tonight, because Howard won't give Ray an inch.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, I think Radman is a better match for Dirk and better defender overall. If he can contribute, I see him getting a lot of minutes off the bench tonight.</div> Did I call that, or did I call that?
Another game, another win. This team is impressive, they will play any team home or away and beat them. My boy Rashard Lewis played great with a near double double, Ridnour played awesome as well, and surprisingly good game from the big man Jerome James. James was everywhere making big plays tonight. GO SONICS! The state of Texas =
When we have Lewis and Radmanovic firing, that is hell for the opposition's defensive match-ups. The best bench in the league continues to shine, with Vlad, AD and Fort all making big contributions. Bring on the Celtics for revenge at the Key. Giggety giggety gigg-e-ty!
Is there a tougher minded team in the league right now? Or in the past five years? They are beating championship caliber teams on the road in consecutive nights. First they did it to Minnesota/Memphis and this past week they did it to San Antonio/Dallas. Not to mention they played Denver at Denver and beat the Kings (who are red hot as well) at home the next night. I'm beginning to feel in my stomach that this group is special but I don't want to get too optimistic. On a side note, this past week has made me feel that maybe Seattle is not the right place for Flip. This is not b/c the Sonics have been winning. I feel this way because essentially he has been on the IR for three weeks longer than he should have been. I understand exactly what Nate McMillian is doing, but at the same time Flip has earned the right to play when he is healthy. McMillian is not happy with the fact that he has to make roster changes to include Vitaly and Flip. That does not bode well for either one in their return. I don't know how the Sonics are going to play when he (and Pot) comes back or what role he'll (they'll) have when he (they) does (do). I'm estimating that Flip will be worked in slowly, probably at 10 minutes a game initially when he comes back. Some players may feel uneasy about their minutes being reduced (Daniels, Allen) and this could cause some tension w/in the club house. None of this is Flip's fault but he will be the scape goat if they hit a skid when he returns. I thought that McMillian was doing a good job handling the situation until he made the comments that basically said that he doesn't want to make any roster adjustments at this time. Another obstacle for the young man from Philly, and at this rate, I think that it will be a very difficult battle for him to win. But if anyone can do it, I'm betting on him. We shall see on Saturday.
Two game winning shots took the spotlight off this game, but still the Sonics keep on rolling. It's like watching Italy in the olympics all over again. Sweeping the texas triangle is not easy to do.
I'm watching this game finally... and I've got to say... what the F is up with that boxing out foul on Fortson in the 4th? It's probably been glossed over because we won, but if that isn't indicative of the referees going after Fortson, then I'm God Shammgod.
