Mavs @ Blazers -- TONIGHT at When: Tuesday, December 22, 2003 Where: Rose Garden, Portland, OR Time: 10:30 ET TV: FSSW, FSNW, NBALP Records: <ul>Dallas: 15-11 5th Midwest[/list] <ul>Portland: 12-13 5th Pacific[/list] Probable Starters Steve Nash vs Jeff McInnis Michael Finley vs Damon Stoudamire Dirk Nowitzki vs Zach Randolph Antoine Walker vs Rasheed Wallace Danny Fortson vs Dale Davis Injury List <u>Dallas</u> Jon Stefansson Tariq Abdul-Wahad Shawn Bradley <u>Portland</u> Derek Anderson Travis Outlaw Key Matchup Rasheed Wallace/Dirk Nowitzki For the Mavericks to avoid their first four-game losing streak in 2 years , they will have to get something better out of Dirk than he's been giving lately. He has been battling bad ankles for nearly three weeks and he's determined not to miss any more time because of them. But he has not had good shooting game since Nov. 15, and the more he struggles, the more he seems to press. Wallace had 31 points in the November meeting in Dallas, and his talent is unquestioned. But for all his brashness and physical histrionics, he plays a lot like Dirk relying on jumpers and midrange pull-ups. Biggest difference is Wallace's defense is more than Dirks. Player to Watch Howard has been known to step up in crunch times. He has also been a good provider when Dirk was out as well as Finley. Look for him to produce big time and get alot of rebounds in tonights game X-Factor Michael Finley is back, and expect to see him on the floor with Nowitzki, Nash, Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison often. Hopefully he can put the Mavs back on track and save them for this disgusting loosing streak. Keys to the Game Dallas - The Mavericks have a horriable 3-9 road record to Portland, and Danny Fortson believes it's not anything Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash or Michael Finley have done. They have to get the team chemsitry back on track since their leader is back. Look to Finley to put up a lot of points. Portland Portland has looked bad in losing consecutive games to San Antonio and Sacramento. With six losses in their last eight games, the Blazers are looking like a middle-of-the-pack team, at best. And things could get worse for them. This is their 13th home game, and they have yet to win on the road suggesting it's going to be tough to make up ground once the schedule evens out. Dee's Predection: We suck on the road. This can possibly be 4 in ROW! I think we can take this game. But im going to be honest here, Portland takes this one.
I like the Mavs, but I have to give the advantage to the Blazers. All of the Blazers wins have been at home. The Mavericks have been pretty awful on the road themselves. Blazers by 5.
Blazers will win this one. Especially now that we have Zach to guard Dirk if needed. Last year in the playoffs we had Bonzi guarding Dirk a lot, and that didn't work.
Blazers own homecourt and they will rally around Cheeks comments from earlier in the week. Dallas has been out of sync all season. Randolph and Wallace will be impossible to stop inside, because Dallas does not have anyone to intimidate with blocking shots or physical play. Blazers by 3.
Mavs lost to the Blazers tonight, to loose a season high 4 in a row. Dirk shot poorly. Finleys return was ruined by Zach Randolph and Rasheed Wallace. Im stunned at how poor the Mavs are on the road this year. Im disgusted with thier performace. Put Dirk on the IL untill his ankle is better. Thats all I have to say. Recap Boxscore
