<font size="5"><font color="Navy">Dallas Mavericks (45-22) </font><font color="Black">vs. </font><font color="DarkOrchid">Sacramento Kings (42-27)</font></font> March 24, 2005 Mavericks @ Kings 10:00 PM EST <u>The Mavericks look for their first ever season-series sweep of the Sacramento Kings when they roll into Arco Thursday on a 4 game win streak.</u> <font size="3">Statistical Leaders:</font>(Active Players) <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Mavericks:</font></font> Points:<font color="Navy">Dirk Nowitzki (26.7 PPG) </font> Rebounds:<font color="Navy">Dirk Nowitzki (10.0 RPG) </font> Assists:<font color="Navy">Jason Terry (5.3 APG) </font> <font size="2"><font color="DarkOrchid">Kings:</font></font> Points:<font color="DarkOrchid">Mike Bibby (19.5 PPG)</font> Rebounds:<font color="DarkOrchid">Kenny Thomas (7.0 RPG)</font> Assists:<font color="DarkOrchid">Mike Bibby (6.7 APG)</font> <font size="3">Probable Starters:</font> <font color="navy"><font size="3"><font color="navy">Mavericks:</font></font> <font size="1">Jason Terry, Michael Finley, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Bradley</font> </font> <font size="3"><font color="darkorchid">Kings:</font></font> <font color="darkorchid"> <font size="1">Mike Bibby, Cuttino Mobley, Peja Stojakavic, Darius Songailia, Brian Skinner</font></font> <font size="3">Notable Injuries:</font> <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Mavericks:</font></font> <font color="navy"> <font size="1">Erick Dampier, Jerry Stackhouse</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="DarkOrchid">Kings:</font></font> <font color="darkorchid"> <font size="1">Brad Miller</font></font> <font size="3">Players To Watch:</font> <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Mavericks:</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Dirk Nowitzki</font> - In 3 games against the Kings this year, Dirk has averaged over 31 points per on 56% shooting from the field. Look for him to have another big game.</font> <font size="2"><font color="DarkOrchid">Kings:</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="darkorchid">Mike Bibby</font> - Ever since the CWebb trade, Bibby has been playing simply amazing basketball. He always seems to have big games against the Mavs, so I doubt this will change. He will keep the Kings in this game. </font> <font size="3">WhiteManCanJump's Prediction:</font> The Dallas Mavericks versus the Sacramento Kings has become one of the more intense and entertaining rivalries in the NBA, and I don't think this game will be any different. Both teams will come out firing, and I think this game will be decided by under 10 points. The Mavericks seem to be responding well to Avery Johnson; I believe they will keep this up. Mavericks by 6, 101-95. Sorry this was late, took me a while to finish. This is my first real game thread, and i hope to be doing a lot more of these. Enjoy!
Nice preview! This is an important game for both teams because this could possibly be the 4 v. 5 playoff matchup in the West. The Kings have been in a bit of a slump because of numerous injuries. They just got Skinner back, and they'll need his inside shotblocking and rebounding. The match-up to look forward to is Bibby and Terry. Both have been on fire as of late, and both get their teams going.
Too bad Sacramento won. I was hoping that they'd lose so Houston can finally get into the fifth spot that they've been so close to for so long. Seems like the Rockets would need to wait a while more. Nowitzki was fantastic, but in the end, I guess Stojakovic got the final laugh.
Yeah, it seemed to me that the only one who really came to play was Dirk. I believe Houston will end up with the fifth spot anyway, although as a mavs fan i would much rather play the kings
I wouldnt be too excited about getting that 5th spot Trip.Houston has a good chance at getting the 5th spot over Sac when the seasons done.All I know is Id rather get Seattle than Dallas in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldnt be too excited about getting that 5th spot Trip.Houston has a good chance at getting the 5th spot over Sac when the seasons done.All I know is Id rather get Seattle than Dallas in the playoffs.</div> Personally, I don't think that Houston should worry about matchups right now, but rather go for that fourth spot and get homecourt advantage. We've beaten the Mavs this season, and every game has been intense except for one blowout. Seattle might not be easier than Dallas to the Rockets. Dallas is a tough playoff team for sure, but the Rockets don't have problems with any of the top teams, at least we stand a chance against every team. Dallas fans: who would you think would be a better matchup? Houston or Sacramento?
As a Mavs fan, I would rather play Sacramento in the playoffs. The tandem of Yao and T-Mac scares me. Yao has had some big games against the Mavericks before and McGrady is McGrady. On paper, I think we match up a lot better with the Kings, and Dirk always comes up HUGE against them. Especially when Stackhouse and Dampier get healthy, I like our chances against the Kings even more. Damp can bang with most centers but Yao just out-finesses him. And when Bradley goes in, Yao can overpower him. So IMO, bring on Sacramento!
