Mavericks Practice Report 02/23/10
The Dallas Mavericks have done just about everything through their 57 of 82 games played this season, but Tuesday was still a first for the team. And all they did was practice.
Something as routine as practice has not been a normal sight for the new-look Mavericks, since making a Feb. 13 trade with the Washington Wizards to bring in Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson. In fact, playing five games in seven days, the team had yet to practice together until Tuesday.
"We were able to work on some things that we felt were important," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "We cleaned up some things...Every minute of practice time you have is helpful."
Regardless of the lack of time together on the practice court, the Mavericks have still put together their first four-game win streak since five straight wins from Dec. 8-16.
With a much-needed practice and four consecutive wins under their belt, the Mavs are a confident crew heading into their fourth and final regular season matchup with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. The Lakers lead the season series 2-1, including a 100-95 win on the American Airlines Center floor on Jan. 13.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
"They're a great team, we know that," the coach added. "We got beat once bad out there, we beat them once out there and we lost a tight one at home. So, we're trying to win every game we possibly can, obviously. They're the World Champs, so it's a big deal when they come in."
"Tomorrow is just another game on the schedule," point guard Jason Kidd said. "For us to get a win tomorrow against the Lakers would be big, for us to have 2-2 against them. To beat them at their place, and then to come here and protect home tomorrow would be huge, in that sense. But it's another game for us to try to get a W."
But this is a different Dallas ball club than the Lakers have seen this season, thanks to the additions of Butler and Haywood. Both newcomers have made an immediate impact, and both will have daunting tasks come Wednesday.
Butler will be asked to contend with former teammate Kobe Bryant. Bryant is expected to return for L.A.'s Tuesday night matchup against Memphis, after missing five games due to a sprained left ankle and strained tendon in his left leg. It is a matchup the 6-7 Butler is eagerly awaiting. "He's going to bring it. I saw Kobe come out there and compete when his back was hurt, finger was injured, ankle, everything, and still was able to come in and hit a clutch shot against these guys to send the Lakers home with a W. So, I know he's going to bring it Wednesday and we've got to be prepared for that challenge," Butler said.
Meanwhile, Haywood will be asked to go toe-to-toe with Lakers center Andrew Bynum. Bynum has terrorized the Dallas defenders this season, but Haywood is confident that will change this time around.
"It's tough matching up with big Drew (Bynum) down there, because he's talented, he's skilled, he's athletic and he's a load down there when they really give him the ball," Haywood said.
"I have to be smart but I can't play scared. I can't take a silly foul early on, because they're too big for our backups. But at the same time, I can't just give up layups and inside position, because that will hit us as well."
Haywood is coming off of a 13-point, career-high tying 20-rebound night against Indiana in a 91-82 home win.
"As far as the points go, I basically just thank Jason Kidd for those," Haywood added. "If you're active and around the basket, he'll find you."
Kidd's job was lightened slightly in Monday night's win over Indiana. With a double digit advantage, Carlisle gave the veteran lead guard the fourth quarter off. The move has the future Hall-of-Famer energized for the upcoming meeting with L.A.
"It was my first (rest) of the season. It couldn't have come at a better time," Kidd said.
A rested Kidd and the Mavericks play host to the defending champion Lakers on Wednesday night, with the game airing nationally on ESPN and locally on KTXA 21 and KTXA HD at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
For up to the minute news on the Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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