Dallas Mavericks (0-1) at Los Angeles Lakers (1-0)
Getting a road win in the NBA is never easy.
It becomes especially difficult when you are attempting to claim a victory on the road against the defending NBA champions. So is the case for the Dallas Mavericks (0-1) when they head into the Staples Center Friday night to meet the Los Angeles Lakers (1-0). It is the first of two games on back-to-back nights for Dallas in the arena, as the Mavs meet the L.A. Clippers on the same hardwood floor on Saturday night.
But first things first for the Mavericks, as Dallas may be facing its most formidable opponent on the schedule in the Lakers, albeit in the second game of the young season. After showcasing strong execution and a high-tempo offense to produce a 5-2 exhibition season, the Mavericks struggled to rekindle that success when they fell 102-91 in their season opener against the Washington Wizards. The team will try to get back to that winning formula against the Lakers, starting with better effort and harder play.
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mavs' effort and defense must pick up against the Lakers
"Playing hard is about habits," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "We worked very hard in the preseason on the habits that translate to consistent hard play, consistent strong disposition, consistent physical presence and playing with a physical disposition. We took a step back in the Washington game. That was disappointing but you have to learn from it and get better. That's where we are."
"We have to go to L.A. and compete. We definitely have to play harder at both ends of the court," forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "Making some shots usually helps. So we'll see how that goes."
Shooting under 40 percent, the Mavericks' inability to knock down shots proved to be their downfall against the Wizards. Once the jump shots were not falling it affected both the Dallas defense and all-around game plan.
As the Mavs struggled to get back in the game late, Washington used Dallas' over-aggression against themselves. Over-rotating and getting out of position allowed the Washington scorers to see open look after open look. Nowitzki said that can not be the case, neither against the Lakers or going forward in the season.
"We blew some coverages defensively and we were all over the place. Even when we got the coverages right, we didn't execute the way we normally can. We just have to pick up our energy and our bench has to come in and change the rhythm for us if the starters are not going well. So I think as a team we have to collectively play better," Nowitzki said.
The Mavs and Lakers meet on Friday night, with the game airing locally on KTXA 21 and KTXA 21 HD and nationally on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. CT. Dallas then plays the Clippers on Saturday night, with the game airing locally on KTXA 21 and KTXA 21 HD at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Dallas returns to the American Airlines Center on Nov. 3 to face the Utah Jazz at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets remain available. For ticket information call (214) 747-MAVS. The game will air on FSN Southwest.
The Mavs have also introduced the “MavsU” program, designed to offer college and university students an opportunity to attend Mavs games at a discounted rate. The Mavericks and Genghis Grill have teamed to offer discounted tickets to students for many upcoming games.
To purchase any MavsU ticket and receive a coupon for a free bowl at Genghis simply call 214-747-MAVS or visit Mavs.com.
Follow Mavs.com’s Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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