Mavs Practice Report (11/06/09)
The Dallas Mavericks must have a sudden case of convenient amnesia if they are going to rebound from their 114-107 overtime loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.
Dallas' poor execution and failure to knock down game-clinching free throws proved to be their downfall, after having a chance to close the game in regulation. But that must be out of their memory now, as the Mavs prepare for a versatile and athletic Toronto Raptors squad.
"It's a long season," Mavs center Erick Dampier said. "It's a game that we've learned from and hopefully we don't make those mistakes again."
Hopefully for Dallas' case, the 7-footer is correct.
(Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Nowitzki-Bargnani matchup could decide the game
With forward Drew Gooden (missed Thursday's practice) still questionable for Saturday's matchup with Toronto due to a strained right rib cage, Dampier figures to play a big role for the Mavericks against Toronto's frontline. The Raptors feature two of the most interchangeable big men in the league, with both Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh capable of scoring on the low block and behind the 3-point arch.
"Obviously, those guys are going to hit some shots, we've just got to contest some of their shots. We still have to go out and play good defense on those guys and stay with the defensive plan, and just make them make shots over contesting hands," Dampier said about defending Bargnani and Bosh.
"We're just going to foul them every time," Dampier said jokingly about defending the two bigs for Toronto outside the paint. "We're not giving them any shots. We have enough guys on this team that we could foul everybody out."
If Gooden is unable to go, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is prepared to experiment with his lineup, maybe playing "small ball" with Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion possibly seeing time at the center position. Marion could also see more time at the power forward spot if Nowitzki plays at center, as the Mavericks' defense tries to slow down the Raptors' frontcourt.
"Those things (Marion and Nowitzki at center) are possibilities," Carlisle said. "Kris Humphries and James Singleton will have to be ready to guard those two guys (Bargnani and Bosh), and Marion is a possibility. We'll see where it goes, but they're always difficult to guard no matter what your situation is."
"They both shoot the ball really well. They both put the ball on the floor. It's an awareness thing. If you're a big guarding those guys you have to be ready to close out away from the basket and then be ready to move your feet when they put it on the floor. It's tough. It's one of the toughest matchups in the league, because they both shoot the ball so well. They both drive the ball so well."
Perhaps none of the Dallas scouts know Toronto as well as Marion. The forward started all 27 games he played for the Raptors last season, before coming from Toronto to Dallas in a four-team trade this offseason. There are no bad feelings between Marion and the Raptors, the forward said, though he is looking forward to playing against his former teammates.
"They're some great guys there," Marion said about playing against his former team. "It was just a situation that happened. I almost ended up going back there, so it's not like I left on bad terms or anything like that. But at the same time, I'm a Dallas Maverick right now, and that's in the past."
Dallas host Toronto at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night, with tickets still available. For ticket information call (214) 747-MAVS. The game will air on KTXA 21, KTXA 21 HD and HD NET at 7:30 p.m. CT.
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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