Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
New Jersey Nets (7-56) at Dallas Mavericks (44-21)
It would be easy for the Dallas Mavericks to overlook Wednesday night's showdown with the New Jersey Nets. It's a game between the NBA's hottest team and the league's most abysmal squad.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
But with a chance to tie the best winning streak of any team this season at 13 straight, the Mavericks are not about to become overconfident. Instead of focusing on New Jersey's seven total wins, the Mavs are focused on what the Nets do well. They're also focused on the fact that New Jersey has played much-improved basketball of late, especially on the road. Starting a four-game home stand, the Mavericks are not about to overlook any challenger, that includes a team challenging for the worst record in league history.
"They're a professional team, and they're playing well right now," point guard Jason Kidd said of the Nets. "You don't look at the record. They've been in good games, they've won three of their last four on the road. They beat Boston in Boston...They're playing hard. They have young talented players, and we can't take anyone lightly."
But while the Mavericks focus on an opponent that has been in the cellars of the standings all season, they're also rejoicing at the possibility of having two 7-footers back in the lineup. Both Brendan Haywood (lower back) and Erick Dampier (dislocated right middle finger) went through the team's morning shootaround. The two larger-than-life bodies are game-time decisions, but the chance of having the two bigs on the court seems likely.
That's great news to Kidd, after the team scrambled through "small ball" lineup changes. The return of two true centers will help the Mavericks immediately, especially on the glass.
"I think it helps with our rebounding, that's for sure. We were playing small and being real creative on the defensive end and also on the offensive end. We weren't having a problem scoring the ball, it was just a matter of giving teams second and third opportunities. We've been out-rebounded the past couple of games, so that definitely helps," Kidd said.
"It's great to have two 7-footers that are healthy and available, assuming that they are available and healthy," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.
Carlisle added that unfortunately reserve guard J.J. Barea has been ruled out of the game, after he twisted his left ankle in Dallas' 125-112 win over Minnesota on Monday night.
"We're hoping to have some fresh bodies, but we're going to be down one," the coach said. "J.J. will be out tonight, and then our big guys, we're hoping they'll be available, but we'll see."
While the Mavericks are certainly disappointed if Barea joins sixth man Jason Terry (facial surgery) on the shelf, they also know that they are fortunate to have possibly both Dampier and Haywood available to throw at New Jersey's second-year center Brook Lopez. Dallas will also have to slow down former Mav Devin Harris."We respect the guys that they have. They've got two All-Star caliber players in Harris and Lopez...We're going to have to be on our game. We're going to have to play well," Carlisle added.
If the Mavericks are going to continue to play well, keeping forward Shawn Marion involved will go a long way towards the team's ultimate success. Marion has moved from position to position in the Mavs' starting lineup, even playing center with Dampier and Haywood sidelined. The versatile forward is coming off of a season-high 29 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Minnesota.
"The last two games, (Marion) has had to play the five spot to start the game," Carlisle said. "If we get one or two of our big guys back, he'll be starting at three. There's a huge difference between playing three and five. Shawn's been a winner everywhere he's been. He's given up a lot to come here and to play in our system. We're asking him to do a lot of different things that he's never been asked to do before, and his attitude has been great about it."
Now Marion and the Mavericks try to keep their attitudes positive, going for their 13th straight victory. The Mavericks start a four-game home stand against the Nets, with the game airing locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. The home stretch continues with games against New York, Chicago and Boston. Tickets for all four 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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