Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
New York Knicks (22-43) at Dallas Mavericks (45-21)
As the Dallas Mavericks celebrate St. Patrick's Day, they are hopeful that their luck doesn't stop at the number 13.
The Mavericks admit that their 50-point win against the New York Knicks earlier in the season had a little luck involved. Another fortunate opportunity against the lowly Knicks presents itself on Saturday night. But while the Mavericks' 128-78 win in New York on Jan. 24 was undoubtedly the most lopsided victory of the season, it isn't what is grabbing the headlines as the two teams meet for a second time. Instead, it is the Mavericks' 13-game winning streak that has the entire NBA talking. The victorious stretch is tied for the league's longest win streak of the season.
(Photo by Kerre Randel/NBAE via Getty Images)
Yet with the league chattering about the ball club from Big D, the Mavericks know that the Knicks enter the American Airlines Center with revenge on their minds.
"They lost by 50 the last time the Mavericks played them, so I'm sure they're going to be angry coming in here," newcomer Brendan Haywood said.
Just like the Mavericks, the Knicks have a different look to them these days. The squad from the Big Apple has added former All-Star Tracy McGrady into the fold. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle says that McGrady is more than capable of exploding for a big game.
"They're a different team. They made the big trade to bring in McGrady and he can score. We have to be ready," Carlisle said.
But the Mavericks can not have their full attention on McGrady, because big man David Lee is in the midst of his first All-Star season. The versatile, yet undersized, center has terrorized opposing defenses, averaging 20.2 points and 11.6 rebounds a game this season.
"Lee is very good on the perimeter, so we will have to have our big guys ready to step out to defend him," Carlisle said."You just have to stay in front of him and make him take tough shots," Haywood added.
The job of containing Lee may fall on Haywood's shoulders, but he will have help. Both Haywood and big man Erick Dampier returned to action Wednesday night in Dallas' 96-87 home win over the New Jersey Nets. Haywood returned to the starting lineup after a two-game absence with lower back tightness. He finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Dampier saw his first game action since dislocating his right middle finger on Feb. 16 in a 99-86 loss to Oklahoma City, though the 7-footer only played four minutes. Now with the two big bodies back on the floor, the Mavericks will have two formidable defenders to contend with the likes of Lee.
"It's great because I want to play big this game," the coach said of the strategy.
But offensively, the Mavs are faced with the challenge of playing with a bigger lineup while also looking to play at a quicker tempo. While the two true centers were out, the Mavericks used a "small ball" lineup to play to point guard Jason Kidd's strength, turning defensive rebounds into fast break offense.
"The strategy doesn't change, it's just different personnel," Carlisle said. "We still want to get defensive stops, get the ball into Jason Kidd's hands and get out and run."
The Mavericks will really be running once they get two of their best bench contributors back on the floor. One may be ready to go Saturday night. Reserve J.J. Barea participated in the team's morning shootaround, and he is officially listed as a game-time decision.
"I'm hoping to give it a go," Barea shouted as he exited the court during the pregame walk through.
Meanwhile, sixth man Jason Terry returned to full contact drills in the team's Friday practice. Terry underwent facial surgery last week, repairing injuries suffered from an elbow to his face in the Mavs' 112-109 win over Minnesota on March 3. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year will be wearing a protective mask whenever he returns to game action. As the team prepares to play the second contest of a four-game home stand, Terry eyes the final two matchups as he's likely return.
"I'm targeting next week. We got two games next week that I'm hoping to be ready for," Terry said.
Without Terry, the Mavericks go for an NBA-best 14th consecutive win as they welcome in the Knicks. The matchup will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. The home stretch continues with games against Chicago and Boston. Tickets for all three games 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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