Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Golden State Warriors (13-34) at Dallas Mavericks (30-18)
The Dallas Mavericks aren't panicking, but they are in desperate need of a win.
In the midst of their first three-game losing streak of the season, the Mavericks are rallying around their veteran leadership to pull themselves out of despair.
"We're a veteran ball club, so we're not panicking," point guard Jason Kidd said.
Perhaps the Mavericks aren't alarmed because they match up with the two worst records in the Western Conference in their next three games, with two meetings versus the Golden State Warriors sandwiching a contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wednesday night, the Mavs welcome the Warriors to the American Airlines Center for the second time this season. The first game between the two squads did not go Dallas' way, so maybe the Mavericks have more reason for concern than they let on.
Playing with just six players, the short-handed Warriors left the Mavs with a 111-103 home loss on Nov. 24. The Mavs remember that game very well, and it only intensified the hatred Dallas already has for the Golden State squad.
"We hate them," guard Jason Terry said. "They've been a thorn in our sides for the last three or four years."
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
In that November meeting, the Mavericks found out first-hand how explosive the Warriors' lineup is capable of being. Led by Monta Ellis' game-high 37 points, the injury-riddled Warriors outscored Dallas 24-7 over the course of the final 7:18 of game time.
"Monta Ellis is probably one of the best slasher-drivers we have in this league right now," forward Dirk Nowitzki said after the loss. "He got to the basket whenever he wanted, it seemed like."
If the Mavericks are going to tie the season series, then Mavs coach Rick Carlisle says it will start with a better effort defensively. That mission begins with slowing down the versatile Ellis.
Ellis averages better than 26 points, five assists and four rebounds a game.
"If you look at (Ellis') credentials, he is certainly worthy of being an All-Star," Carlisle said. "He is having an amazing year, statistically."
The Mavs found themselves in an up-and-down affair in the first meeting, attempting to outscore the likes of Ellis, Anthony Morrow and rookie Stephen Curry. Dallas' strategy is much different the second time around, as the Mavs will try to make the uptempo Warriors play more in the halfcourt.
"The key to beating them is points in the paint," Terry said. "We have to dominate them in the paint."
"Points in the paint is always welcomed for us. Unfortunately, we haven't been a very high-scoring team in the paint...But whether it be drives or post-ups, scoring in the paint is a good thing."
Dallas will make a conscious effort to score in the interior and try to ground the Warriors, in an attempt to put an end to their current three-game slide. But the the Mavericks will likely be without their anchor in the middle, after Carlisle said the team's starting center Erick Dampier will likely miss the game due to his continous battle with a nagging left knee effusion.
The Mavericks host the Warriors on Wednesday night, with the game airing locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 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 Mavs.com’s Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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