A playoff lineup for Mavs?02:45 AM CDT on Monday, April 17, 2006By RACHEL COHEN / The Dallas Morning NewsThe Mavericks are starting to look more like the team coach Avery Johnson would like to see in the playoffs. Not in the sense of their performance in Sunday night's 111-95 win over Utah ? though Johnson wasn't disappointed with that ? but in the rotation he was finally able to use after weeks of players shuffling in and out of the lineup with injuries.Johnson still didn't have his perfect combination, with Devin Harris sitting out because of soreness in his injured left quadriceps. But with Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Adrian Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki and DeSagana Diop starting, Johnson was able to use the lineup that went 18-2 during a 20-game stretch while playing together from the middle of January through early February."We're starting to click back there," Howard said.Howard sat out 13 games in March with a strained left hamstring. Griffin missed 15 games from March 12 to April 8 with the same injury in his right leg.The ideal rotation also means Jerry Stackhouse as the sixth man. He provided the kind of spark off the bench Johnson is seeking with 20 points in 25 minutes."Stack was solid, man," Johnson said. "Stack was energized. He was ready to play. He was right in his comfort zone tonight. That's what we need from him on both ends. Obviously, he scored a little bit, but nobody will talk about how he battled those guys on defense."Stackhouse and Diop sat out to rest some minor aches Thursday at Phoenix. Stackhouse looked revitalized Sunday."It's unbelievable," he said. "I felt it yesterday in practice. When you play those back-to-back games and just being on the road and flying and everything, it weighs on you a little bit."The five starters each played at least 24 minutes. Diop and Erick Dampier together formed a productive center. They combined for 18 points and 17 rebounds.E-mail rcohen@dallasnews.com[url="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/041706dnspomavsside.867f893.html"]http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...de.867f893.html[/url]
Well, it seemed like a nice line-up. Not sure when Van Horn, Daniels, and Harris will be back, but Griffin should be fine against the Clippers.
I think Daniels will be back next game. Even having him play 20 minutes off the bench can help the mavs. If he is missing along with Harris than Dallas is running thin on their depth. Stackhouse even admit to being fatigued lately and that he was rejuvenated with that game off.
Well, here's how the minutes should work.Center: DeSagana Diop (15 minutes), Erick Dampier (20 minutes), DJ Mbenga (0-5 minutes, if needed)Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki (40-45 minutes), Josh Powell (5-10 minutes)Small Forward: Josh Howard (30 minutes), Jerry Stackhouse (10 minutes), Marquis Daniels (8 minutes)Shooting Guard: Adrian Griffin (15 minutes), Marquis Daniels (8 minutes), Jerry Stackhouse (20 minutes), Rawle Marshall (0-5 minutes, if needed)Point Guard: Jason Terry (35 minutes), Darrell Armstrong (5-15 minutes)
