<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="+2">Mavericks-Clippers preview </font> <font size="+1">9:30 p.m., Staples Center, FSNSW; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270 Spanish)</font> <font size="-1">09:29 PM CST on Thursday, January 19, 2006 </font> <font size="-1">By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News </font> Series: First meeting this season; Mavs lead, 64-42, all time. Key matchup Dirk Nowitzki vs. Elton Brand: It's not a reach to say these are the two best power forwards in the game right now. Brand has been relentless all season, averaging 25.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.66 blocks per game. Nowitzki has been every bit as good. Both are headed to the All-Star Game. Brand is more traditional, getting his points mostly in the paint or on midrange jumpers from the baseline. Nowitzki fires from everywhere. This should be an entertaining matchup. Inside the Mavericks Sizzling: While Dirk Nowitzki is rolling, it's been Josh Howard who has hit a hot streak in the last week. He's averaged 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the last four games, making 32 of 56 shots (57.1 percent). And he's been hitting his free throws, too (22-of-28). Briefly: They have shot 50 percent or better in all three games on their winning streak ... There's nothing like a steady dose of Dirk. Nowitzki has shot 50 percent or better in five consecutive games and has made six consecutive 3-pointers over two games. Inside the Clippers Looking for a Sambush: Sam Cassell has been the catalyst behind the Clippers' 20-15 record. More important than his 17 points is the edge he has given the Clippers. His confidence has seeped into the entire team. They clearly don't think like losers anymore. Briefly: They lead the league in rebounding at about 44.5 per game, which means they not only are tenacious, but they miss a lot of shots (fifth most in the league) ... Don't send them to the line. They lead the league in free throw percentage at just under .800.</div> Post your thoughts about the Dallas-LAC game in this thread
This probably is the most impresive win by the mavs. They have had problems with this Clippers team. The frontline has really bothered Dallas. Tonight though Diop I feel really gave Brand some trouble. Brand was forced to be a jump shooter since Diop was willing to match the physical strength of Brand. Also Griffin is in the perfect situation. He is playing great defense and not expected to score alot. He also hit open jumpers and rebounded the ball well. Even caused the Clipper fans to start to boo because of his hustle.
Adrian Griffin is in such a great situation here in Dallas, how he gets his hands on so many loose balls amazes me. He brings this style to the table that the Dallas desperately needs if they want to contend, and he makes me forget about that whole Doug Christie fiasco This win brings Dallas' winning margin to around 25 points per game since Diop hopped into the starting lineup (Houston, Milwaukee, LAC, New Jersey). Is he really that important, or are we just hitting a nice spot in the season? Credit goes to Dampier who had a nice game, 13/12/3 in 30 minutes, maybe bringing him of the bench is beneficial, but will he get sick of it and start to whine?
I think you do what is best for the team rather than what is best for Dampier. Diop is even more a defensive minded center than Dampier is. Dampier can score though in the post and wouldn't be taken as many shots away from Dirk, Terry, and Howard off the bench as he would if he was a starter. More scoring opportunities plus he wouldn't have to worry as much about foul trouble.
Recap Mavs-Clippers In-synch Mavs make it look easy, rout Clippers Nowitzki leads way in 101-81 win over Clippers 01:01 AM CST on Saturday, January 21, 2006 By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News LOS ANGELES - A telltale sign that the Mavericks have found a rare offensive rhythm in which everything works showed itself Friday night. Erick Dampier scored in double figures. The Mavericks are going that well on offense. Dampier, recently reduced to a reserve's role, had 13 points in a 101-81 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. The Mavericks led by 25 points early in the third quarter and cruised to their seventh win in the last eight games. Dampier had the first double-figure output by a Mavericks center in 29 games. He also had a team-high 12 rebounds as the Mavericks out-rebounded the NBA's top rebounding team by 11. It marked the first time this season that the Clippers had been out-rebounded by double figures. The key was the offense, which had a 63-point first half. "The ball was really moving," coach Avery Johnson said. "Guys were looking for the extra pass. When we get ball movement and body movement, we'll take it." The Mavericks made eight of their first 12 shots and a slowed only during the exaggerated garbage time that was the second half. Five Mavericks in addition to Dampier scored in double figures, with Dirk Nowitzki high at 26. The casual nature of the second half prevented the Mavericks from making at least 50 percent of their shots for the fifth consecutive game. The Mavericks will settle for having the association's fifth-best shooting percentage at 46.7, six consecutive games with at least 100 points and seven wins in the last eight games. "When we move the ball and get good looks, we normally are going to have a high percentage because we have good shooters," forward Jerry Stackhouse said. "When we get into playing one-on-one and not moving the ball, that's when we get in trouble and (the percentage) goes down." The Mavericks did not pick on a poor defensive team. The Clippers have a winning record primarily because of their defense. They began play having held opponents to a 42.8 shooting percentage, second-lowest in the association behind San Antonio. The Mavericks tore up that defense from the start. In the first half, the Mavericks shot 55.3 percent on 47 tries. They did that even though Nowitzki was in an unfamiliar position of dragging down the offense. Nowitzki was only 4-for-12 from the field in the first half despite going against slow-moving Chris Kaman. Take away Nowitzki's performance, and the Mavericks were 22-for-35 from the field in the first half. "When you dig yourself a big hole like that, it's hard to come all the way back against a really good team like that," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. The offense stemmed from good ball movement, which allowed the Mavericks to attack the interior of the Clippers' defense. In the first 13 minutes, the Mavericks had six old-fashioned three-point plays: a field goal and a free throw. Two, by Jason Terry and Nowitzki, came as the Mavericks broke away from a tie at 7 with an 11-0 burst that doomed the Clippers. Two were by the beleaguered Dampier. One came off a follow shot. Stackhouse set up the other three-point play with a precise pass to Dampier at the basket. Dampier reached double figures on only five first-half shots. Life is good now for the Mavericks. E mail gfraley@dallasnews.com http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...e.23016714.html
Mavs 101 Clippers 81 Grades: It?s the Jerry ? Erick Connection The Mavs come out strong for the fourth game in a row and blow out the ?athletic? LA Clippers despite losing Jason early on a double technical foul. The Clippers made a late run to close within 13 points at 83-70, but the Mavs quickly responded to put the game into garbage time. Johnson: A, The Mavs have really turned around their typical slow starts in the first period. Props go to Avery for risking Erik?s ego and having him come off the bench. DeSagana?s production isn?t all that much more than when he was coming off the bench but the chemistry seems better. The energy sure is. What is perhaps even more important is the connection Jerry and Erick have seemed to have developed. You got to wonder if Avery saw that coming. Howard: B, Josh didn?t get close to his expected double-double with only 9 points (4-11 FG, 1-2 treys, 0-0 FT). +8 Nowitzki: A, Dirk had a game high 26 points (9-21 FG, 3-6 treys, 5-5 FT) to go with 11 rebounds. +28 Diop: B-, DeSagana struggled with foul trouble, picking up 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Zero turnovers. +7 Griffin: A; Adrian nearly had a double-double with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT) and 9 rebounds on his way to another excellent game. Zero turnovers. +21 Terry: B-, Jason struggled tonight as well, putting up 10 points (4-13 FG, 1-3 treys, 1-1 FT) before being ejected arguing a non-call where replays showed he clearly got fouled twice, including getting mauled across his face. +5 Harris: B; Devin brought some nice energy off the bench, contributing 13 points (4-6 FG, 5-5 FT) and 5 assists. Sure is fun watching Devin come of age. +14 Dampier: A, Erick had his best game since November with 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-6 FT), 12 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Hopefully Erick takes Jerry out to dinner. Stackhouse: B+, Jerry knocked down 14 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 treys and 1-2 FT) but the kicker was his game high 6 assists. +11 Powell: B, Josh only got a minute getting one basket for 2 points (1-1 FG). +2 Armstrong : C, Darrell rolled his ankle and had to be helped off the court. Hopefully he gets healthy quickly. -1 M?Benga: B, DJ only got a few minutes, producing 2 points (1-2 FG) and a rebound. +2 Daniels: DNP-Inactive, Marquis is out yet again with neck swelling from the Kurt Thomas clothes line hit. Van Horn: DNP- Inactive, Keith got the night off to rest his sprained ankle. Marshall : DNP-Inactive, Rawle has been sent to the Fort Worth Flyers (NBDL) to get playing time. Podkolzin: DNP-Inactive, Pavel had surgery to repair his right foot. Typical Chef Ed Type
