Golden State Warriors (4-8) at Dallas Mavericks (10-3)
Tuesday night's matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors has all the ingredients necessary for a "trap game," but the Mavs insist that will not be the case.
Golden State enters Dallas with a 4-8 record, and will play without Warriors coach Don Nelson, who will miss two games with pneumonia. The Warriors are also expected to be short-handed with an injury-riddled squad.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
"I think they only know one way," point guard Jason Kidd said. "With Nellie or not with Nellie, I think they're going to put a small lineup out there and stretch you on the 3-point line and try to take you one-on-one, and try to figure out what matchup fits them best to go at. I don't think there's going to be any shot clock violations on their part."
Still, Golden State's high-tempo play figures to give the Mavs a run for their money and should have their full attention. That is if the Mavs aren't looking past the Warriors to the Thanksgiving holiday and their next opponent, the Southwest Division rival Houston Rockets.
"I hope not," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said about his team possibly overlooking Golden State. "They (the Warriors) just had a great win against Portland three nights ago, and they're just extremely dangerous because of their quickness, shooting ability and the tempo that they generate. We're just going to have to play our game. We're going to have to play an aggressive but smart game. It's a challenging situation for sure."
"It's always a tough game because it's a getaway game and the holidays are this week so guys have to stay focused. This is a big game for us to keep this thing going in the right direction," Kidd said.
As they do against all opponents, the Mavs will look to run. But against the Warriors, Dallas has to be cognitive of when they push the tempo and when they slow things into their halfcourt sets. The Warriors' ability to dictate the flow of the game through speedy play and rugged offense gives Carlisle great concern.
"We're a running team, but we just have to play a smart game. A rat race game is going to favor them. A game where we're taking advantage of opportunities and moving the ball, playing inside-out as much as possible is going to be good for us," Carlisle said.
"There's a contrast in style somewhat, but make no mistake, we still want to run and get great shots in transition whenever we can."
Dallas' style of play will certainly be impacted by who can line up on the court. Playing recently without three starters, the Mavs have managed to win five straight with Erick Dampier (illness), Josh Howard (surgically-repaired left ankle) and Shawn Marion (sprained left ankle) all in street clothes for much of the streak. The Mavs could get a boost with Marion listed as questionable for Tuesday night. Also, Dampier returned to light practice Tuesday, leaving the media in anticipation for his return by exiting the practice court and simply saying: "I feel better."
The Mavs host the Warriors at 7:30 p.m. CT, as Dallas goes for its sixth straight win. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
The Mavericks and the NBA have introduced the official NBA All-Star game ballot, featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion and Jason Terry. For more on how to vote for your favorite Mavs for the All-Star game, to be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, visit Mavs.com.
Follow Mavs.com’s Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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