Details: Who: (22-20) vs (28-16) Where: Key Arena When: Saturday, Jan 27th, 7pm TV: KONG, NBALP Projected Lineups: PG: Brent Barry/Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ray Allen/Ronald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Vladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans/Calvin Booth C: Jerome James/Calvin Booth/Vitaly Potapenko Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Steve Nash/Travis Best SG: Michael Finley/Travis Best SF: Josh Howard/Antawn Jamison/Michael Finley PF: Antoine Walker/Antawn Jamison C: Dirk Nowitzki/Shawn Bradley Coached by Don Nelson Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Richie Frahm: right knee tendinitis, on IL. Maverick Injury List Marquis Daniels: flu, doubtful. Danny Fortson: infected tooth, doubtful. Tony Delk: srpained left ankle, indefinite. Tariq Abdul-Wahad: left knee tendinitis, on IL. Jon Steffansson: sprained left ankle, on IL. Eduardo Najera: sore left knee, on IL. Analysis: Two teams on winning streaks, but of different magnitudes. The Sonics come in off the back of two straight home wins over Golden State and the Clippers, and are starting to establish their home court as just that. However Dallas have won eight straight, and come off a nine point win over the league leading Kings. The Mavericks are much better at home, but they are more than capable of winning on their travels too. Seattle will need another big game from Ray Allen, who dropped 41 on the Clippers, and will need former Dallas target Rashard Lewis to play to the level he is capable of. They say defense wins games, and it may be the team that actually plays some comes away with this one. Is Offense the best Defense? Dallas have long been testaments of this theory, but Seattle's 22-20 record probably doesn't suffice as much. Dallas are ranked 2nd in the league in scoring, at 103.1 ppg, while Seattle rank 4th at 97.5. However, the Mavericks also rank 28th out of 29 teams in points allowed at 99.6, while the Sonics rank 27th at 98.2. Obviously this illustrates the potency of Dallas and the Kings as compared to the rest of the league. While the Mavs are only two places above Seattle in scoring, they outscore them by almost six points. This more than makes up for their defensive deficiencies, as neither team is much of a defensive outfit. However, Seattle have the big edge in three point percentage, and have won 20 of the last 26 against the Mavericks in Seattle. [quoteright]"It's a little bit hard for me right now to come off of the bench, because all season long I've been starting and I got used to it. When you go from good to bad, then it's harder than when you go from bad to good. I'm just trying to find my game again and play well for this team." - Seattle forward Vladimir Radmanovic.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factors: - Slow the game down. Many view Seattle as a poor man's Dallas, and while their natural game is based around running and shooting, the Mavericks are the master of this. Slowing the game down and frustrating Dallas is the way to go here, if they're not allowed to run then they're not as effective. Of course this is easier in theory than in practice, and will mean the Sonics will have to crash the offensive glass. - Defense. Two good games defensively against the Warriors and the Clippers, can the Sonics stop the NBA second most potent team? They stopped Sacramento, the league's best team offensively, simply by rotating quickly and getting a hand in the face of every shooter. They will need the same effort tonight. - Antoine Walker. Perhaps Dallas' most important player behind Nash, Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic will have to do a tight job here. Walker is among team leaders in points, rebounds and assists, and doubles as a playmaker when Nash isn't on court. It's ok to let him shoot it, but his post game and passing range are his most dangerous weapons. Key Matchup: Brent Barry vs Steve Nash For all their offensive firepower, Dallas' scoring still starts with one man: Steve Nash. The Canadian point guard is a master of controlling the tempo and playing the transition game, and the likes of Nowitzki, Walker, Jamison and Finley often score as a direct result of Nash's court vision and blinding speed and decision making. Brent Barry will not be able to stop Nash in any sense, but will hope to contain him by slowing the game down; the faster the game, the better Nash is. Barry has his own advantages however. He will look to shoot over Nash, such is his height advantage, and post him up whenever possible. For all his qualities, Nash is not by any means a strong defensive player, and Barry has the tools to match him offensively. X-Factors: Vitaly Potapenko - against a team like Dallas, a bit of bench toughness is always something that is effective, and Potapenko gives this to Seattle. He has been their bully all year inside, and the Sonics will again rely on him to add some toughness and rebounding. Antawn Jamison - arguably the best sixth man in the league, he will likely cause his fair share of problems for a defensively challenged Sonics outfit. One positive is that Rashard Lewis has a good record against him when playing the Warriors, however. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
Dallas is too tough right now, looks like all that talent is finally playing well together. Mavs by 8 Give me a big game Ray
If Rashard Lewis actually decided to come to play every game then this game could go either way.I expect Ray Allen to get at least 30,will need to stay hot from behind the arc.
Yup. Treys are the best way to break down a zone. The Mavs are on a streak, but the Sonics tend to beat elite teams. Still, Dallas' offensive arsenal is too huge. Mavs by 11.
I just wish Seattle would take it to the basket more, they have the athletes, but they just camp out at the arch like the paint is a "no fly zone" They can still turn things around, but a trade may need to happen, esp. when Brent Barry is not a happy camper.
Brent Barry is not unhappy in Seattle.He made this comments when Allen was out injuried,they kept losing.Which was a factor in his statement I'm sure. Sonics are still 22-20 just outside a playoff space,Its not like they are 5-7 games under the 500 mark.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">"I gotta get out of here" - Brent Barry Maybe that clears things up.</div> Thats what he supposely said to Pop,when they were losing.Winning basketball games changes the mind focus of many players in this league.If he does want out of Seattle,he would of requested a trade by now or made a statement to the media like Ruban Patterson,Dale Davis e.t.c have done.
They had a good start to the season bro, they have been in a slide (or hit reality) the last few weeks, not sure that would change Barry's mind.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">They had a good start to the season bro, they have been in a slide (or hit reality) the last few weeks, not sure that would change Barry's mind.</div> The game when he made his comments the Sonics had lost their last 3 games,while being two games under 500.Allen was still out,emotions could of been flying.If he still wanted out if Seattle I would of thought we would of heard more news on the subject,since that time they has been nothing reported. If Barry makes anymore comments reguarding this then my opinion will change of course. Sonics have lost 5 games recently but are still 9th seed and two games above 500.In the western conference thats not bad at all.
Of course thats not bad, I would never question that <font size="1">(really just sparking some debate, so play along people)</font> They should win more, that is all that I and I am sure Brent is getting at. I am sure Dez would kill to have just one post presence, that is why he keeps bring up a player like Abdur-Rahim.
No doubt the Sonics need a low post player without giving up the core of Allen and Lewis.Abdur-Rahim would be a soild option,however the Hawks want Lewis in exhange for Abdur-Rahim.Which Sonics aren't willing to do. The best bet will be Juwan Howard,Magic will basically want draft picks young talent.The current Sonics team is good enough to make the playoffs,to become a force there is no question they need some more size downlow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">The best bet will be Juwan Howard,Magic will basically want draft picks young talent.The current Sonics team is good enough to make the playoffs,to become a force there is no question they need some more size downlow.</div> He has size and rebounding ability, but I'm curious as to something seeing as they're a good team and will most likely or probably make the playoffs. Would the Sonics be able to get a good pick in the lottery, please enlightmen on this, I'd love to hear the options as to who they'd get.
I'll take a trade and a good shot at the playoffs over another mid range lottery pick. Don't forget this team still has Nick Collison to come back, I don't think a pick around 10-13 is really going to help this team much. As for this game, I'm expecting Ray and Lewis to put up 20+, and Radmanovic to come on strong. Dallas will let you score, because they are confident they will outscore you. The key is on defense, because the mavericks will give up open looks. As for the Barry comments, he is a bit of a joker. If the story is as blatant as has been told, I wouldn't expect him to still be in Seattle. Then again, who knows what goes on behind closed doors. All I know is we need him badly tonight.
Nice preview, I think that the Sonics will pull an upset here, Win it by 2, Ray Allen explodes for 35, Rashard goes for 23
It seems the Mavericks firepower is a bit too much. Dirk just won't miss tonight... Maybe Seattle can pull one out their ass.
My bro is watching back home.....flagrant foul on Potapenko for hitting Dirk. Seattle up 1 with a minute left. Edit: Walker hits a fadeaway with 1.6 left to win the game.....and yes, he did the Walker-Wiggle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">My bro is watching back home.....flagrant foul on Potapenko for hitting Dirk. Seattle up 1 with a minute left. Edit: Walker hits a fadeaway with 1.6 left to win the game.....and yes, he did the Walker-Wiggle.</div> I am going to cry, after watching that brick layer hit that sort of shot after Seattle's effort. And if that's a flagrant, then I'm the bloody Queen of England. Bow to me. Rashard Lewis with 30 and nine, Antonio Daniels with 21, six and six, Ray Allen with 20 and Vitaly Potapenko with 16. For the Mavs, Dirk hit 43 including 8-11 threes, Steve Nash had 19 and eight assists, while Walker and Finley both had 17. Inability to rebound cost Seattle this one, Dallas got far too many chances with offensive rebounding, and it just proves how much this team could use Nick Collison. 23 defensive rebounds for Seattle, 19 offensive rebounds to Dallas. Unnacceptable. Enough for now, I'm to upset/pissed off to do a full recap. Incredible game. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of NBA.com.</font> Next Game: @ Lakers tomorrow
I think I'm pretty pissed too...lol Antoine Walker kinda peeved me for a whole minute...no wait...prolly a lil more...with his shake after he won...but it was a tough loss for the Sonics...they coulda gotten this one if they had more rebounds...
