Mavs Practice Report
The Dallas Mavericks are doing everything in their power to keep history from repeating itself.
Last season the Mavericks got off to an early 2-7 record before righting the ship. After falling 102-91 at home on Tuesday night to the Washington Wizards in the season opener, getting on the winning track and not experiencing another dreadful start is of utmost importance. To do so, the Mavs have to learn how to win games when they aren't knocking down jump shots, as was the case against Washington when Dallas shot under 40 percent.
"Looking at the film, we've got to play better at both ends of the floor," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after Dallas' practice on Wednesday. "We're not going to shoot well every game, and when we don't we have to hang in the game. We're going to have to do it defensively. We were poor last night defensively when we needed to be good."
Things aren't going to get any easier for the Mavericks in their next game when they travel to Los Angeles to battle the defending NBA champion Lakers, the first game of a back-to-back in L.A. with the Clippers hosting Dallas on Saturday. Last season the Lakers swept the Mavs.
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas will have to contain Bryant to avoid an 0-2 start
If Dallas is going to change its early-season fortune and avoid an 0-2 start it will take the Mavericks changing their identity from a jump-shooting team to a defensive-oriented, rim-attacking juggernaut.
"You gain your identity in the regular season. The preseason is insignificant. Any identity established in the preseason means nothing unless you do it in the regular season. We took a step back last night, but we're going to have to be better because our schedule is getting tougher," Carlisle said after the Mavericks failed to display the same high-tempo attack on Tuesday night that the team showcased in the preseason.
To recreate the same attacking style, the Mavs went a little harder in Wednesday's practice. The team's intensity level returned after a stagnant showing in front of the home crowd against the Wizards.
"It was a good practice we had today," forward Shawn Marion said. "Everybody was competing and we did more in here today than we did last night. As veterans, we have to get this going and make sure we sustain it. You're going to make mistakes out there, but as long as you sustain the energy and effort everything else will take care of itself."
Dallas will need all of its energy and effort to slow down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Bryant won the Finals' MVP award last season.
"Hopefully we come back on Friday and get a win," swingman Quinton Ross said. "(Bryant) will be tough. We just have to try to make him have to work for all of his baskets."
Ross figures to see a lot of time defending Bryant.
The Lakers have also added Ron Artest to the same core group that won last season's title and advanced to their second consecutive Finals, leading many around the league to expect the Lakers to be contending for the Larry O'Brien trophy once again.
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 L.A. 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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