Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Offseason Wishlist - Run, Caron, run
Playing in just 27 regular-season games with the Dallas Mavericks, Caron Butler completed a crash course in transition basketball. The eight-year veteran learned that in order to be effective in Dallas' run-and-gun offense, he simply has to run. Point guard Jason Kidd will do the rest.
After the seven-player trade that brought Butler to Big D from the Washington Wizards on Feb. 13, the traditional small forward had to make an adjustment to playing at the shooting guard spot. More importantly, Butler had to learn that playing alongside Kidd means running the length of the court and creating fast-break offense.
"We're a running team," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We have Jason Kidd. We are always better when we don't call plays or don't have to call plays."
Playing with little to no practice time with his new lead guard and teammates, Butler was forced to adjust on the fly upon his arrival in Dallas. But Kidd made the adjustment seemingly seamless, helping Butler along by creating easy scoring opportunities for the swingman in transition. The result was a 13-game winning streak for the Mavs from Feb. 17 to March 10, leading the two-time All-Star to say this:
"We're just playing basketball -- it's like pickup game style. We're just getting the ball to the floor general (Kidd), just getting to spots and he's finding us."
Though Butler's scoring average with the Mavs slipped to 15.2 points per game, after averaging 16.9 points in his 47 games for Washington, he slowly became more comfortable as the playoffs approached.
"My teammates just told me to be myself," Butler explained. "Don't try to do too much, just be myself."
"With a talent like that, you want him being aggressive -- make or miss," Kidd said of Butler's early struggles.
The former Connecticut standout then broke through in the postseason, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals in the Mavs' first-round series defeat in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. No. 4 says it is just a preview of what he will do nightly next season.
"I hit a nice stride in the playoffs, and I was finding out what was expected of me and what my role was. I look forward to seeing what's going to happen next year," Butler said.
With some level of familiarity with Kidd and his new surroundings, albeit just 33 games worth, Butler now sees the Mavericks competing for a title next season.
"Over here in Dallas, the goal is to win a championship," Butler said. "We're building something, and we're getting adjusted to each other and acquitted with each other on the fly. It's still a work in progress, but we're definitely doing a good job on the fly."
For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Offseason Wishlist - Fully integrating the 'new' guys
Joining a team in the middle of an NBA season is kind of like being the new kid at school. That's how Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson felt when they first arrived in Dallas.
After the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards pulled off a seven-player trade on Feb. 13, Butler, Haywood and Stevenson didn't have much time to get used to their new surroundings. Just three nights after the transaction, the trio suited up for the Mavericks in the first game after the All-Star break. Though the Mavs went on to drop that game, a 99-86 road loss in Oklahoma City, it was the start of something bigger. Much bigger.
The squad went on to win 13 straight games after that loss, doing so without any practice time with their new teammates. A 55-win season, Southwest Division title and No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs was also in the team's future, though so too was a first-round postseason exit. Now, with a full offseason to get better acquainted, the team hopes that the new arrivals can help bring a championship to Big D next season.
"The trade with Washington has been a big positive for us," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "It helped our overall toughness. I thought it put more of the right kind of players around Dirk (Nowitzki)."
Headlining the deal was the exchange of former All-Stars, as Butler and former Mav Josh Howard swapped spots. But the transformation was not seamless for Butler, as he had to adjust to playing in the shooting guard slot after spending most of his career as a small forward.
The swingman's regular-season scoring average slipped from the 16.9 points per game in 47 outings with Washington to a 15.2 average in his 27 appearances for the Mavericks. But the former Connecticut star showed that primetime players step up in primetime moments, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals in the Mavs' first-round series against San Antonio.
"I hit a nice stride in the playoffs, and I was finding out what was expected of me and what my role was. I look forward to seeing what's going to happen next year," Butler said.
He may have served notice to the rest of the league prior to next season with a playoff career-high 35 points in the Mavericks' 103-81 blowout win in Game 5 of the series. No. 4 swished in 12 of 24 shots, hitting 3-of-8 from behind the 3-point arch and a near perfect 8-of-9 at the foul line. He also put the icing on the cake by pulling down 11 rebounds, collecting a double-double.
"(Butler) really is one of our tough guys...I was really, really thrilled to see him have a game like that. He is just a great guy. You just love to see a guy like that succeed and have that kind of night...He has just been a great pro and a guy that is really into winning," Carlisle said after the performance.
While Butler did his work on the perimeter, Haywood turned heads with his dominance inside.
The 7-footer split time with fellow big man Erick Dampier to secure the starting center duties. But when his name was called, Haywood proved to be a force in the interior. The 30-year-old, who had spent his entire career in Washington before the trade, produced five double-doubles in his 28 regular-season games for the Mavericks.
"I really liked what (Haywood) did for us. He's a guy that had an impact on both ends...Brendan is very athletic. He's got a good feel for the game. He's got a good knowledge of the game," the coach said.
Now the organization will try to keep Haywood patrolling the paint for years to come, as the talented center officially becomes a free agent on July 1.
"With (Haywood and Dampier), it gives us a really nice one-two punch," president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson said. "They do things a little bit different. But between the both of them, you've got a really solid centerpiece with youth and experience. That's something we look for with positions."
Meanwhile, Stevenson has done everything to make sure he's not the forgotten man in the deal. Though he wasn't always a fixture in the team's rotation, No. 92 found a way into Carlisle's heart. It translated into more time on the court.
Stevenson's scrappy defense gave the Mavericks a perimeter enforcer on the second unit. The veteran guard also stepped into the starting lineup five times, filling whatever role his coach asked of him.
"I've been trying to crack the rotation, but at the same time (Carlisle) has been talking to me. It's hard to get mad when you're winning -- as long as we're getting the wins. I've been getting in, sometimes starting, so I've been getting my opportunities. I've just got to go out there and do the things that I know I can do," Stevenson said.
"DeShawn's a guy that's developed into a very good 3-point shooter and is known as a good defender in this league," Carlisle added.
With some level of familiarity now with each player, the Mavericks' front office sees the trifecta playing much bigger roles next season.
"We feel like these guys are really going to help us. I was thrilled that this transaction could happen and we're looking forward to working with them," Carlisle said.
"They're great guys from top to bottom. They're all pulling in the same direction. We did make a transaction that hasn't fully taken, so that's a part of things. Guys are still getting used to each other out there...We like the guys that are in that locker room," Nelson concluded.
For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
"Mavs Spotlight" is a series of exclusive one-on-one video interviews conducted by Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed with various Dallas Mavericks players and coaches. In the second installment, newcomer Caron Butler talks about the bright future he sees in Dallas.
After escaping both the cellar of the standings and the dark cloud hovering over the Washington Wizards due to Gilbert Arenas' gun possession charges, Butler says he has finally found a home with the Mavericks. And the two-time All-Star played like he was at home.
Though his scoring average slipped from 16.9 points per contest in his 47 games with Washington to 15.2 in 27 outings for the Mavericks, the versatile swingman caught fire in the playoffs. "CB4" averaged 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals in Dallas' first-round exit at the hands of San Antonio. It was just a preview to what Butler believes he will show Mavs fans next season.
"I hit a nice stride in the playoffs, and I was finding out what was expected of me and what my role was. I look forward to seeing what's going to happen next year," Butler said.
Now, the former Connecticut standout focuses on an offseason headlined by the expected arrival of a new baby. Butler will also make time to meet up with his former high school teammate, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. That is when he's not bettering his game on the practice court.
In case you missed it, here's what sixth man Jason Terry had to say as he heads into the offseason.
The series continues Monday, when "EKS" chats with Shawn Marion. For all of your off-season news on the Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Focused Mavs try to force Game 7 (2) Dallas Mavericks at (7) San Antonio Spurs (3-2 Spurs' lead)
If you listen closely, you can still hear a heartbeat ticking in the Dallas Mavericks' locker room. The Mavs still have a very strong pulse as they enter the AT&T Center for a Game 6 showdown with the San Antonio Spurs.
Sitting just one loss await from ending their season, the Mavericks showed both the Spurs and the rest of the basketball universe that the squad from Big D is still very much alive. Dallas' 103-81 win on the American Airlines Center floor in Game 5 of the series not only staved off elimination, it also stole some much-needed momentum away from the Spurs. Though San Antonio still holds a 3-2 series advantage, the Mavs made it clear to the Spurs that they are in for a fight.
"Right now, we're in a position where we have to fight. They're up 3-2. We win (in Game 6) and we'll put a lot of pressure on them," center Brendan Haywood said.
"Our guys are not going to mail it in," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle added. "There is a lot of pride on the line in every game. The series isn't over, even though a lot of people are assuming that it is."
Now the matchup swings back to San Antonio, where the Mavericks will be out for an encore performance while looking to force a Game 7 back in Dallas. But if the Mavericks are to take their winning show on the road, then they will also need Caron Butler's primetime performance in Game 5 to travel down south.
Butler's playoff career-high 35 points and his 11 rebounds impacted the game from the opening tip. The former All-Star finished the night by connecting on 12-of-24 from the field, 3-of-8 from 3-point range and a near perfect 8-of-9 at the foul line. His series breakthrough has allowed the Mavericks to fight another day. "When you're backed into a corner, you have to scratch and claw your way out," Butler said. "That's what we did tonight...I'm not ready to go home."
"I don't know what got into him, but we're going to need it next game," Haywood said of Butler's career playoff-best.
Butler wasn't the only one in full affect.
The Dallas defense also grounded the Spurs' offensive attack, holding San Antonio to just 36 percent shooting on the night. Meanwhile, the Mavericks turned defensive stops into transition scores, finishing with a 23-8 advantage in fast-break points.
"It is pretty obvious that it is going to be defense and the ability to get the ball in transition where good things can happen for us. We did a great job of that (Tuesday night)," Carlisle said.
Domination inside also went the Mavs' way, taking a 52-41 rebounding edge and outscoring the Spurs 19-9 in second-chance points. Perhaps more importantly, Dallas' 42-30 advantage in points in the paint came off of 20 total assists, compared to just 11 helpers for San Antonio.
"What you saw (in Game 5) was the ball moving from side to side, and we got exactly what we wanted," Butler said.
Now, the Mavericks prepare to head into the Alamo City, fully expecting to see the same Spurs squad that won Games 2, 3 and 4 in the series.
"You have to think they're going to be fired up down there. We've just got to go down there and win one," forward Dirk Nowitzki said.
Game 6 will air nationally on TNT and locally on KTXA and KTXA HD at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday night. If the Mavericks should falter, then season comes to a crashing halt. If they win, Game 7 will be back in Dallas on Saturday.
"I don't want to go home," Butler said emphatically. "We want to bring this thing back to Dallas."
The Mavs-Spurs first round series schedule is as follows: Game 6 -- Thu April 29 Dallas at San Antonio 7 p.m. CT TXA21/ TNT Game 7 * Sat May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TNT
Mavs.com has introduces a new, interactive webcast entitled "Technical Foul," hosted by Mavs television broadcasters Mark Followill and Bob Ortegel. Earl K. Sneed also talks with fans and answers questions via a live chat during the show. Tune in for exclusive Mavs talk with the people that know the team the best.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Butler puts Mavs on his back (7) San Antonio Spurs 81 at (2) Dallas Mavericks 103
The Dallas Mavericks didn't want Tuesday night to be the last time they laced up their sneakers this season. Instead, the Mavericks entered Game 5 of their first-round matchup with the San Antonio Spurs with a workman-like mentality. Not ready to turn in their time cards, the Mavs showed just why they believe there's still work to be done.
Down 3-1 in the series, the Mavs gladly returned to their home floor hoping for a different result than the previous three games, all Dallas defeats. The Mavs did their best to make sure Game 5 went a different way. So did Caron Butler.
Butler put in a full day's work, as the Mavericks routed the Spurs in the American Airlines Center. With his team's season on the verge of a finale, the two-time All-Star produced a masterful performance worthy of Broadway, posting a playoff career-high 35 points and leading the Mavs to a 103-81 runaway win.
"When you're backed into a corner, you have to scratch and claw your way out," Butler said. "That's what we did tonight...I'm not ready to go home."
To give his squad an early boost, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle inserted Brendan Haywood at the starting center spot in place of Erick Dampier.
"It was a decision to change the dynamics. I thought Brendan responded well," Carlisle said.
Perhaps the shake up paid off early, as a 7-0 spurt led by Butler turned into a quick advantage for the Mavs in the first quarter. Matt Bonner's long-range shooting kept the Spurs close, but behind Butler's 12 points in the period, the Mavs escaped with a 27-21 advantage after one.
"I was talking to myself, just telling myself to be aggressive. I play better when I'm angry," Butler said.
"Caron is always aggressive, he really is. I thought his great game tonight was not only a function of how well he was playing, but the guys around him had a great feel for getting him the ball -- spacing the floor in a way, so that he could drive it...Making the extra pass to find the hot guy," Carlisle explained.
With Haywood dominating the painted area, the home team put some more distance in between the two squads to start the second quarter. Meanwhile, Butler continued his destruction of the Spurs' defense, as Dallas sped up the tempo and scored in transition.
"We were able to force the tempo of the game. That was the biggest thing," Shawn Marion said.
"It is pretty obvious that it is going to be defense and the ability to get the ball in transition where good things can happen for us," Carlisle added. "We did a great job of that tonight."
But after the Mavs sprinted to as much as a 17-point lead, the Spurs closed on an 11-2 run, with nine points coming from Tony Parker, to trim Dallas' advantage to 53-46 at the half.
"They're going to make a run, because they're a good team. We've just got to keep our heads," forward Dirk Nowitzki said.
The Mavericks' 49 percent shooting in the first half set the tone, as their defense held San Antonio to 44 percent. Butler's 19 points at the midway point led all scorers, while Parker posted 17 points at the other end.
"We need (Butler) to attack. We need him to be aggressive. I like what he did tonight," Nowitzki said.
The duo of Butler and Nowitzki quickly pushed the margin back into double digits to start the third quarter, a 12-minute stretch that has been the Mavs' downfall in the series.
"We definitely responded the right way coming out of halftime," Nowitzki said.
Dallas began the quarter by scoring the first ten points. All told, the Mavericks opened up a 19-point lead with a 15-3 run. The lead reached as much as 22, with the Mavs outscoring their rivals from the south 82-64 heading to the final period.
"We didn't have that third quarter letdown," Butler said.
Reserve guards J.J. Barea and Jason Terry put the Spurs out of their misery at the start of the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Butler did the job at both ends of the floor. With Spurs coach Gregg Popovich resting his key players down the stretch, it became evident that the Mavs would indeed force a Game 6 in San Antonio. Both teams played most of the fourth with their reserves.
"Our guys are not going to mail it in. There is a lot of pride on the line in every game. The series isn't over, even though a lot of people are assuming that it is. This is one step, so we are two steps towards our goal with two wins. And now we have to focus in on the next one," the coach concluded.
Butler was certainly the catalyst towards inching closer to reaching that goal, connecting on 12 of 24 shots, swishing in 3-of-8 from behind the 3-point arch and drilling 8-of-9 at the foul line. The star also pulled down 11 rebounds to record a double-double.
"(Butler) really is one of our tough guys. A lot of the times he went up in the crowd and pulled down rebounds. Offensively, he had a great rhythm going and he was extremely aggressive and made good decisions for the most part," Carlisle said when praising the versatile swingman. "I was really, really thrilled to see him have a game like that. He is just a great guy. He is just one of those kind of guys that you just love to see a guy like that succeed and have that kind of night...He has just been a great pro and a guy that is really into winning."
"I don't know what got into him, but we're going to need it next game," Haywood said of his teammate's performance.
But Butler wasn't alone on the court. Nowitzki added 15 points, while Terry contributed 12 off the bench. Marion and Jason Kidd added 10 points apiece, giving the Mavericks five scorers in double figures. In his first start of the series, Haywood went for eight points while also grabbing eight rebounds.
Parker finished with 18 to lead San Antonio. After his 29 points in Game 4, George Hill scored 12 in his followup outing. The Dallas defense also held Tim Duncan to just 11 points on 3-for-9 shooting, while Manu Ginobili scored just seven after hitting just two of his seven shots.
With a 20-11 edge in assists, the Mavericks out-shot the Spurs on the night, 44 percent to 36 percent.
"What you saw tonight was the ball moving from side to side, and we got exactly what we wanted," Butler said.
The Mavericks also dominated the interior, as evident by their 52-41 rebounding edge, 42-30 advantage in points in the paint and 19-9 margin in second-chance points.
Now the Mavericks try to do it again, heading into the AT&T Center for Game 6 after dropping both Games 3 and 4 in the very same building by a combined seven points. If Dallas can change its luck on the Spurs' home floor, then it will force a Game 7 back in the American Airlines Center.
"You have to think they're going to be fired up down there. We've just got to go down there and win one," Nowitzki said.
"I don't want to go home," Butler simply said. "We want to bring this thing back to Dallas."
Game 6 will air nationally on TNT and locally on KTXA and KTXA HD at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday night.
"Right now, we're in a position where we have to fight. They're up 3-2. We win (in Game 6) and we'll put a lot of pressure on them," Haywood said.
The Mavs-Spurs first round series schedule is as follows: Game 6 -- Thu April 29 Dallas at San Antonio 7 p.m. CT TXA21/ TNT Game 7 * Sat May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TNT
Mavs.com has introduces a new, interactive webcast entitled "Technical Foul," hosted by Mavs television broadcasters Mark Followill and Bob Ortegel. Earl K. Sneed also talks with fans and answers questions via a live chat during the show. Tune in for exclusive Mavs talk with the people that know the team the best.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Mavs preparing for Spurs' Game 2 adjustments Mavericks Playoff Practice Report (04/19/10)
Over the course of a best-of-seven playoff series, two teams are sure to make plenty of adjustments. The alterations tailor-made for Game 2 between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs could prove pivotal for the final results of the first round series.
With that said, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is anticipating his counterpart Gregg Popovich's next step, before the veteran San Antonio signal-caller even makes his next move.
After the Mavericks exploited the Spurs' single coverage on Dirk Nowitzki in Game 1 on Sunday, leading to No. 41 ripping into the San Antonio defense for 36 points en route to a 100-94 Dallas win, Popovich figures to make some changes the second go-round. Carlisle's crew will be ready.
"(The Spurs) are going to give you different looks and we're going to give them different looks, too," Carlisle said in anticipation for Game 2. "We'll have to adjust when those things happen, and we'll have to be ready to make plays."
Whether or not the Spurs change their defensive strategy against Nowitzki remains to be seen. Either way, the 7-footer will once again look to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they present themselves.
"I'm going to take whatever they give me. But they'll make changes and we'll be ready for them," Nowitzki said. Sunday night, Caron Butler showed he is ready if the Spurs' attention is locked in on Nowitzki. The newcomer's Mav playoff debut was a successful one, hitting on eight of 19 shots and scoring 22 points.
"We definitely needed some scoring from somewhere else," Nowitzki said. "I thought Caron was big."
"My teammates just told me to be myself," Butler explained. "Don't try to do too much, just be myself."
Monday, the swingman worked on being in the proper position if the double team comes Nowitzki's way.
"That's what we worked on all today, knowing where the shots and double teams are coming from...We just have to be prepared," Butler said.
Defensively, the Mavs hope they are more prepared to deal with the Spurs' "Big Three" of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The trio combined to score 71 points in the series opener, as the Dallas defense took away San Antonio's role players. In Game 2 on Wednesday night, Carlisle is hopeful that his team can continue to quiet the Spurs' supporting cast while also limiting the trifecta's impact on the game.
"Stop the role players or not, we still have to stop those three and they scored a ton. We can't let them get off, even if we are stopping the role players," the coach explained.
For Carlisle, stopping the three stars begins with defending the pick-and-roll. If the entire five-man defense can focus on stopping the Spurs' lethal pick-and-roll sets, then the Dallas squad likes its chances.
"It's very tough, because such a high percentage of their plays are pick-and-roll plays. And they've got really great facilitators, good screeners and rollers and a bunch of three-point shooters out there. It's going to be challenging. The important thing is five guys are engaged in it defensively, even though it's a two-man game. Everybody's got to be involved, because so many different things happen on their screen-and-roll," Carlisle said.
Both the Mavs and Spurs will try to implement their adjustments Wednesday night in Game 2, when Dallas goes for a 2-0 series edge before the schedule swings to San Antonio. The second matchup in the best-of-seven series will air nationally on TNT and locally on KTXA and KTXA HD at 8:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
"(Sunday night) was a positive step, but we've got to get better as the series goes along," Carlisle said.
The Mavs-Spurs First Round series schedule is as follows: Game 2 – Wed April 21 San Antonio at Dallas 8:30PM TXA21/ TNT Game 3 – Fri April 23 Dallas at San Antonio 8:30PM TXA21/ ESPN Game 4 – Sun April 25 Dallas at San Antonio 6:00PM TXA21/ TNT Game 5 * Tue April 27 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TBD Game 6 * Thu April 29 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TXA21/ TBD Game 7 * Sat May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TNT
Mavs.com has introduces a new, interactive webcast entitled "Technical Foul," hosted by Mavs television broadcasters Mark Followill and Bob Ortegel. The second live-streamed broadcast will be Tuesday, April 20 at 12:30 p.m. CT, recapping Game 1 and previewing Game 2 of the series. Earl K. Sneed will also talk with fans and answer questions via a live chat during the show. Tune in for exclusive Mavs talk with the people that know the team the best.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Mavs' Rip City curse, Division title on the line Dallas Mavericks (51-27) at Portland Trail Blazers (48-30)
There's no time to stop and smell the flowers for the Dallas Mavericks. The team has a daunting task ahead as it enters the Rose Garden on Friday night.
With an opportunity to clinch the Southwest Division, while also trying to stay in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the West, the Mavericks begin a three-game road trip in Portland against a Trail Blazers squad that has beaten Dallas in each of the three games between the teams this season. The Mavs are determined not to drop the fourth and final regular season meeting, in a possible opening round playoff series preview.
"It's the bottom line, they beat us three times. For us, at this point in the season, it's not about 3-0 or 4-0. It's about us getting better for the next step," point guard Jason Kidd said.
In addition to getting better, the Mavs would also like to return the favor, after a 101-89 loss in Portland on March 25. In that game, the Blazers held the Mavericks to just 35 second-half points. Portland also took Kidd out of the game by focusing on eliminating the Dallas fast-break attack. The result was a 16-0 edge in transition scoring for the Blazers.
"We had zero fast break points and they had 16. To me, that means two things -- you need to get more stops to get in transition to get quality looks at the basket and we never had them under 50 percent (shooting) the whole game," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "That was a problem for our running game. When you get beat 16 to nothing on the break, it's tough to win."
"They did a good job of jamming the ball and taking that aspect (transition offense) of the game away," Kidd added. "Also, when you make shots, that takes away the running game. So, lesson learned, and we have to understand what we have to do next time and that's a big part of our game -- getting out and running."
Wednesday night's 110-84 win over the Memphis Grizzlies is a good blueprint for success. Coming off of back-to-back losses at the American Airlines Center, the Mavs responded with an all-around team defensive effort. Most impressively, the Mavericks put together the performance on the defensive end despite playing without forward Shawn Marion. The two-time All-Star sat out the game with a left oblique muscle strain. Marion did however practice with the team on Thursday, though his status for Friday night is unclear.
With a scrambling defensive unit, the Mavericks made up for Marion's absence by forcing 20 Memphis turnovers and scoring 30 points off of those miscues.
"We are just trying to bring a lot more energy and buckling down, trying to scramble for 24 seconds. We did a great job of that (against Memphis), collectively," reserve guard J.J. Barea said of the defensive mentality after recording a career-high four steals. On the other end of the floor, the Mavs will once again be looking for an explosive performance from swingman Caron Butler. The newcomer, who came to the team at the All-Star break, finished with a team-high 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting against Memphis. It was a breakthrough performance for No. 4, who admitted that he is coming out of a shooting slump.
"I was going to make shots, I've just got to continue to take them," Butler said. "I got the ball on the opening play and the rhythm started...I wasn't thinking too much. Just going out there and was taking whatever they gave me."
"I thought (Butler) came out very aggressively and he got us going. With a talent like that, you want him being aggressive, make or miss," Kidd said of his teammate.
Now the Mavericks look for a different result against a Portland squad that they could see again in the postseason.
"They're all potential playoff matchups at this point," Carlisle said.
The team journeys to the West Coast for three games away from Big D, with contests against Portland, Sacramento and the Los Angles Clippers. Friday night's Mavericks-Blazers matchup will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest and nationally on NBA TV at 9 p.m. CT.
"We've got to get them all," forward Dirk Nowitzki said of the road trip. "That's the mind state. But we can't get ahead of ourselves. It's Portland next."
The team returns to the American Airlines Center for the final regular season game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 14. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com No Marion, no problem Memphis Grizzlies 84 at Dallas Mavericks 110
The Dallas Mavericks have battled through adverse situations all season long. Wednesday night was no different.
Once again the team faced an obstacle. Once again the team responded. Losers of back-to-back games on their home floor, the Mavericks attempted to stop their recent skid without forward Shawn Marion. The versatile two-time All-Star, and arguably the Mavs' best perimeter defender, was sidelined with a strained left oblique muscle. Still, the Mavericks took the court with confidence as they welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies into the American Airlines Center.
With a complete team effort and contributions from the Dallas role players, the Mavericks more than made up for Marion's void, claiming a 110-84 win in blowout fashion. In doing so, the Mavs not only snatched the season series with Memphis, 3-1, they also gained much-needed momentum before heading out on a three-game West Coast road trip.
"Every win we get right now is precious," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after the win. "It's a positive step and now the challenge is to keep moving in the right direction...But this is a step in the right direction.
"I thought we were pretty solid. We made a few mistakes, but we were more solid than we've been the last couple of games."
Starting the game with a lineup of Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Dirk Nowitzki and Erick Dampier, the Mavs came out of the gates fast. Scoring the game's first seven points, the home squad was off and running. After a furious rally by Memphis, the sharpshooting of Butler gave the Mavs some breathing room.
"I got the ball on the opening play and the rhythm started...I wasn't thinking too much. Just going out there and was taking whatever they gave me," Butler said.
The Dallas defense then stepped up the intensity, helping the team take a 33-20 advantage at the end of the opening quarter. Behind a strong defensive effort, the Mavs never looked back.
"Everything in practice the last few days was about defense," reserve guard J.J. Barea explained. "We needed more energy on defense, we needed to guard the pick-n-roll better and the last two practices were defensive-orientated. That worked out for us tonight.
"We all know that we have to play good defense to be able to get where we want to go. We know our offense is always going to be there and it's going to show up. And if it doesn't show up early, it's going to show up late. But our defense has to be more consistent."
The defensive execution continued, with the Mavericks making up for Marion's absence with a scrambling team effort. At the other end of the court, Butler continued his scoring assault while Barea dazzled the crowd with his playmaking.
"It felt great," Barea said. "My teammates were doing a good job of setting screens for me, and we were getting stops on the other end. That allowed me to get out on the break."
The result was a lead as large as 20, before a 13-2 Memphis run. The Mavs then escaped with a 57-45 edge after Butler's tip-in to beat the buzzer heading into the halftime break.
Rudy Gay's 14 points at the midway point kept Memphis close. In his best scoring half as a Maverick, Butler's 17 points helped the team to the double-digit margin despite being out-shot 47 percent to 50 percent.
"I thought (Butler) came out very aggressively and he got us going. With a talent like that, you want him being aggressive, make or miss," Kidd said of his teammate.
"I was going to make shots, I've just got to continue to take them," Butler added.
It didn't take long for the Grizzlies to shrink the Mavs' lead down to single digits to start the second half. But the combination of Butler and Nowitzki responded with a barrage of their own in the third. Not even an inadvertent elbow from Zach Randolph to Kidd's face, causing a cut above the right eye of the ten-time All-Star, was enough to keep the Mavs from taking a 78-66 lead into the fourth.
A rim-rocking, two-hand slam from sixth man Jason Terry started the final period with a bang. Terry then followed it up with a three to put the Mavs up 17. The duo of Terry and Barea then took control of the Mavs' scoring responsibilities, building up an insurmountable mountain for the Grizzlies to climb. The two reserve guards received a helping hand from Nowitzki, as the 7-footer's three-point play followed by a transition score gave the Mavs a 24-point advantage with 6:45 left. Barea then finished off a 13-2 Dallas run with a 3-pointer.
"It was just about me being real assertive out there and watching film with (Carlisle) and picking my spots and seeing how teams are playing me now. I'm just trying to remain aggressive," Barea said.
With the game well in hand, the two squads emptied their benches down the stretch, as reserves played out the clock. The Mavericks outscored the Grizzlies 32-18 in the fourth, finishing off a game in which they never trailed.
Dallas ended the night shooting 55 percent, holding the Grizzlies to 47 percent at the other end. The Mavs feasted off of Memphis' 20 turnovers, turning the giveaways into 30 points. "We are just trying to bring a lot more energy and buckling down, trying to scramble for 24 seconds. We did a great job of that tonight, collectively," Barea said, recording a career-high four steals.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks committed 14 turnovers themselves, but it only translated into eight Memphis points. Dallas' 50-40 edge in points in the paint and 25-13 advantage in fast-break points certainly helped.
Butler's 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting led the way. Nowitzki followed right behind with his 22-point night. Most of which was off the direction of Kidd, tallying a double-double with his 12 points and 10 assists, also connecting on 4-for-5 from behind the arch. Off the bench, Terry (16), Barea (14) and Brendan Haywood (11) all scored in double figures, helping the Maverick reserves outscore Memphis' bench players 49-7. The collective effort equaled 28 assists.
"We moved it better. When we shoot well and don't turn it over, it's going to lead to more quality shots for us. That's good. It was a needed win and we had a lot of guys who contributed," Carlisle concluded.
Gay matched Butler's 23 points to led four Grizzlies in double figures.
Now the team journey's to the West Coast for a three-game road trip, with games against Portland, Sacramento and the Los Angles Clippers.
The Mavericks' first test comes against the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday night. The Blazers lead the season series 3-0. That matchup will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest and nationally on NBA TV at 9 p.m. CT.
"We've got to get them all," Nowitzki said of the road trip. "That's the mindstate. But we can't get ahead of ourselves. It's Portland next."
The team returns to the American Airlines Center for the final regular season game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 14. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com (03/31/10) Dirk sparks epic comeback, completes decade of success Dallas Mavericks 106 at Memphis Grizzlies 102 F/OT
The history books won't have to wait any longer to include the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA's annals for regular season success over the last decade.
The Mavericks sat just one victory shy of their 10th straight 50-win season entering Wednesday night's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. With a win, the squad would join the 1979-91 Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, who are currently looking for their 11th season at the 50-win plateau, as the only franchises to accomplish the feat for at least 10 straight seasons since the NBA switched to 82-game schedules in 1967.
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) Fittingly, the Mavericks celebrated a decade of regular season dominance with a vintage performance by the franchise's marquee name for the past 10 seasons. After struggling for the better part of three quarters, Dirk Nowitzki ignited a Mavericks' comeback in the final five minutes of regulation, eventually leading his squad to a 106-102 overtime win in the building that has tormented the team for two years. Not a bad followup for No. 41 after recording his second career triple-double in the team's last game.
"(The decade of 50-win seasons) is a tribute to ownership -- the commitment that Mark Cuban has made to have good players, create a good environment and get a full building...It's very meaningful from that standpoint," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "You have to have guys that get it done on the floor. Not only playing, being able to finish games and deal with nights like tonight. It's easy to pack it in, down 12 in the fourth.
"Getting into overtime and being able to win, and getting your 50th (win of the season) on a night like tonight is meaningful, because 50 wins are hard to get and this has been a very hard place for us to win games."
Something had to give. The Mavericks came into the contest on a three-game losing streak in FedExForum. Still, the Mavericks were in high spirits, coming off of back-to-back wins including the squad's 109-93 home win over Denver on Monday night. The Mavs also looked to begin a back-to-back by handing the Grizzlies their third straight loss.
Fortunately for the Mavs, they had their full compliment of players available for the Southwest Division matchup. Caron Butler was in his customary starting shooting guard spot after missing the team's morning shootaround with stomach trouble. But in the early minutes of the opening quarter, the Mavericks' offense flowed through center Brendan Haywood. Despite dunk after dunk from the 7-footer in the early minutes, the Mavs found themselves in a quick hole, as Memphis big man Zach Randolph did work from inside and out. After seeing their team fall behind by double digits, a pair of 3-pointers from point guard Jason Kidd and another triple from Eduardo Najera shot the Mavericks back into the game. Then it was Butler's turn, banking in a three to beat the buzzer and cut the Mavericks' deficit to 27-22 at the end of one.
The Dallas defense stepped up at the start of the second quarter. Meanwhile, the threes kept falling. Rookie Rodrigue Beaubois gave the Mavs their first lead of the night at 29-27 with another bomb from long range, as the ball club from Big D scored the first seven points of the period. The Mavs' miscues and turnovers allowed the home team to hang around. At the same time, the Grizzlies weren't allowing Nowitzki to get into the mix, throwing multiple double teams his way. But Kidd and sixth man Jason Terry righted the ship, as the two teams headed into the break knotted at 50-all.
"It was a frustrating game for 44 minutes," Carlisle said. "We were getting a lot of good looks. We were working hard, even though we weren't playing particularly well. In the first half, our undoing was turnovers and missed shots."
Terry led the Mavs with his 15 points of the bench in the first half, but Memphis' Mike Conley's 16 lead all scorers at the midway point. In addition to Dallas' 13 turnovers in the first 24 minutes of play, Memphis also out-shot the Mavericks 53 percent to 44 percent in the half. The Mavs did connect on 7-of-14 from three-point land.
Things looked bleak for the Mavericks at the start of the third quarter, as the Grizzlies began the second half on a 17-4 run. Coming out of the locker room, the Mavs also missed nine of their first 10 shots. With Nowitzki struggling and Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo heating up, Memphis built up a 13-point advantage. But Terry continued to muster up offense for Dallas. No. 31 did the job at both ends of the court, pulling his squad to within 73-67 entering the fourth quarter. Nowitzki was 3-of-14 through three quarters.
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
With J.J. Barea dressed but sidelined again due to his sore left ankle, Beaubois began the fourth in the backup point role. The first-year pro's penetration and perimeter defense was much needed, but the Grizzlies continued to hold a controlling edge. Once his team went down 12, Carlisle switched to a three-guard lineup of Kidd, Beaubois and Terry playing next to Nowitzki and Haywood. The unit was able to play at a quicker speed, putting a dent in Dallas' deficit by attacking the rim and getting to the foul line. After struggling all night, Nowitzki stepped up with back-to-back threes to knot the game at 88-all, completing a stretch of 13 unanswered Dallas points.
"Everybody kept battling and Dirk hit those two threes to tie it up. It really energized us and made it tough on them," the coach explained.
"I am just glad that I got going," Nowitzki said. "We really had nothing going for a long time in the fourth. JET (Terry) was really the only guy that kept us in the game. Then they made a run...At that point, it is either go for it or you take the (loss). We went for it."
After Conley and Nowitzki exchanged a pair of scores, the intensity picked up. The game then laid in the balance when Darrell Arthur won a jump ball over Kidd and Memphis called a timeout with 17.5 ticks reading on the clock. But Kidd got his revenge, forcing Mayo into a shot short of the rim as time expired, sending the game into the extra period. The Mavericks finished regulation on a 15-2 run, with the last eight points coming from Nowitzki.
"Energy was great, but we needed a little spark offensively. I was able to get going, so that was great," No. 41 added.
"This team doesn't have any quit in us," Haywood said. "We aren't going to give in. As long as we have a shot, we are going to continue to fight and play hard."
Defensive stops and fast-breaking offense was the story early in the extra five minutes for the Mavericks. Nowitzki became a willing facilitator as Terry continued his assault on the Grizzlies' defense. Still, Mayo would not allow his team to go away quietly, swishing in a three to keep Dallas' edge at one point. But Nowitzki may have put the Grizzlies to bed for the night, raining in a high-arching, fadeaway jumper with 24.0 seconds remaining to put the Mavericks up 101-98. After a pair of free throws from Randolph once again cut the lead to one, Nowitzki answered with a 2-for-2 trip of his own with 11.0 seconds still on the clock.
The Mavericks then intentionally fouled Randolph, keeping Memphis from tying the game with a three but earning Haywood his sixth and final foul of the night. Once again, the first-time All-Star hit both at the charity stripe. And once again, Nowitzki extended the lead with a pair of his own. With just 8.9 seconds remaining, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins designed a play for Mayo to tie the game after inbounding the ball. The second-year pro got a good look, but bricked it off the iron. Forward Shawn Marion grabbed the rebound and finished the game off at the line, scoring his only two points of the night.
"We hung in. I don't know if stealing it is the right term or not. It would have been easy to cave. The guys were determined," Carlisle said.
In the fourth period and overtime, Nowitzki scored 19 of his 28 points. His team outscored the Grizzlies 39-29 during that stretch. After his early deficiencies, Nowitzki finished the night shooting 9-for-23 from the field and 3-for-6 from behind the arch.
"As a shooter, all you need is to see one go through. Sometimes it might be a free throw. Sometimes it might be a layup that gets you going. I was just happy that one went through and that I stuck with it. My teammates always support me and tell me to keep shooting. Obviously, I needed to step up and be there for my teammates," Nowitzki said.
"Dirk hit a lot of big shots down the stretch. He brought us home," Haywood said.
Terry finished with a game-high 29 points off the bench, connecting on 11-of-24 shots but just 1-for-8 from deep. Kidd, meanwhile, finished just shy of his 105th career triple-double, with 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Butler battled through his stomach illness to record his first double-double as a Mav, grabbing 13 rebounds to go with his 11 points. Haywood (11) and Beaubois (10) made it six Mavericks to score in double figures.
The Mavs needed everything from those six double-figure scorers, as Mayo scored 27, Conley added 25 and Randolph finished with 24.
Dallas did out-shoot Memphis 43 percent to 41 percent. The Mavs also held a 27-16 advantage in fast break points, overcoming 18 total turnovers and capitalizing off of Memphis' 17 giveaways. The Grizzlies finished with a slight edge on the glass, out-rebounding the Mavericks 49-47.
Now, on a quick turnaround, the Mavs return to Dallas to play host to the defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center. The Mavs escaped with a 95-85 win in Orlando on Feb. 19 in the first meeting between the teams. That game will air nationally on TNT at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
"It's a great win, but we have to get out of here quick and get ready for the next one," Carlisle concluded.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Mavs get ran out of the Rose Garden Dallas Mavericks 89 at Portland Trail Blazers 101
After losing two home games by a combined six points to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Dallas Mavericks entered the Rose Garden with one goal: Returning the favor.
Not so fast, my friend.
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) The Blazers had something else in mind. Instead of relinquishing a victory to the Mavs, Portland won their third of four matchups in the season series. This time with a wider margin of victory. In a game full of runs, the Blazers saved their best spurt for the final stretch while the Mavericks fizzled in a 101-89 defeat.
"(The Blazers) played well and we need to play better, I think it comes down to that," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after the loss. "I think tonight they were more aggressive in the second half and they did a great job defensively down the stretch."
"It's the bottom line, they beat us three times. For us, at this point in the season, it's not about 3-0 or 4-0. It's about us getting better for the next step, and I think we can look at this game and understand that next season this is how teams will play us. It's good that it happened now and not next season," point guard Jason Kidd said.
Playing before a nationally televised audience, the Mavericks sought their revenge as they began a two-game road trip. After scoring the first six points of the night, the Mavs appeared to be well on their way to retribution. But the Blazers returned fire with eight unanswered. Portland then would go in front by as much as nine in the opening period behind the inside duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby. The Mavericks would rally behind Brendan Haywood's inside play at both ends of the court play. Haywood, who came off the bench for the second straight game behind starting center Erick Dampier, handled the interior while fellow newcomer Caron Butler provided Dallas' perimeter scoring. Still, the Blazers' 12 free throw attempts, compared to zero trips to the line for the Mavs, had Portland in front 32-27 after one.
"They did a good job of jamming and stopping us early and keeping the pace of the game, which you've got to give them credit for that," forward Shawn Marion said.
Both teams shot lights-out in the first quarter, as Dallas hit on 13-of-23 from the field, and Portland connected on 12-of-22.
Haywood continued to be the story early in the second period, patrolling the paint for defensive rejections and two-hand dunks on the offensive end. The 7-footer then got help from Kidd, as the 37-year-old swished in shots from behind the 3-point arch. But the Blazers combated the Mavs' inside-outside play with an 8-0 run. That's when Butler took over the scoring load for the Mavericks, scoring eight straight Dallas points. Still, Brandon Roy's driving layup with 1.9 ticks left in the half gave Portland a 60-54 edge heading into the intermission.
The hot-shooting first half continued throughout the first 24 minutes of play, as the Mavs shot 53 percent while the Blazers nailed 56 percent of their shots. Butler led all scorers at the midway mark with 16 points, while Aldridge's 14 paced Portland.
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Carlisle liked what he saw from Haywood in the first two quarters, so the former North Carolina product got the start in the second half. With the new five-man unit, the Mavericks quickly knotted the game at 60-all with the first six points of the third quarter. Just like the beginning of the game, Portland answered once again, this time with a 12-0 run of its own. Fittingly, the Mavericks immediately tallied up seven straight points in response. The two teams then settled down, with Dallas remaining close behind threes from Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. By quarter's end, the Mavericks still found themselves down 80-75 heading into the fourth.
"They took us out of a lot of stuff, and we need to be more aggressive offensively, execute better and work to create shots," Carlisle said.
As he had the entire night, Butler tried to create shots while putting the squad on his back early in the final period. But despite No. 4's best efforts, the Blazers sprinted to a double-digit advantage behind Aldridge and Andre Miller. Portland's lead reached as much as 13 down the stretch, before Carlisle pulled his key contributors in the final minute. The Blazers finished the game on a 19-9 run.
"They were extremely aggressive, particularly in the fourth," the coach added. "It's frustrating to our team when we're unable to get clean looks at the basket."
After the hot start, the Mavericks finished the night shooting 44 percent. Meanwhile, the Blazers shot 50 percent. Albeit in a losing effort, the Mavericks did knock down 9-of-22 from behind the arch. Dallas also held a 39-36 rebounding edge. But the Blazers' 44-34 advantage in points in the paint was crucial. Most importantly, Portland grounded Dallas' fast-breaking attack, as the Blazers outscored the Mavericks 16-0 in transition points.
"We had zero fast break points and they had 16. To me, that means two things -- you need to get more stops to get in transition to get quality looks at the basket and we never had them under 50 percent the whole game. That was a problem for our running game. When you get beat 16 to nothing on the break, it's tough to win," Carlisle explained.
"They did a good job of jamming the ball and taking that aspect (fast break offense) of the game away," Kidd added. "Also, when you make shots, that takes away the running game. So, lesson learned, and we have to understand what we have to do next time and that's a big part of our game -- getting out and running."
Butler's game-high 25 points on 11-of-19 from the field kept the Mavericks in contention all night, but in the fourth the two-time All-Star got little help. Marion (15), Nowitzki (15), Kidd (11) and Terry (11) gave the team five double-figure scorers.
Aldridge led the Blazers with 20 points. The combination of Aldridge and Camby tallied 37 points and 21 rebounds, doing damage in the painted area. After his 52-point effort in Portland's 114-112 overtime win in Dallas on Jan. 30, Miller followed it up with a double-double, scoring 19 points and shelling out 10 assists.
The Mavericks get their final regular season chance at handing the Blazers a loss back in the Rose Garden on April 9.
"We just need to learn from it and give them credit, they took this one," Marion said. "We need to come back here (April 9), and that's how you got to look at it.
Now the Mavericks try to get back in the win column when they conclude their mini road trip in Oakland on Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors. The two teams have split the first two games of the season series, with each squad winning on the other team's home floor. The game will air locally on KTXA and KTXA HD at 7:30 p.m. CT.
The squad returns to the American Airlines Center on Monday night when they host the Denver Nuggets. The Mavs and Nuggets have split the first two games of the season series. That matchup will air nationally on NBA TV and locally on KTXA 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com Boston Celtics (44-24) at Dallas Mavericks (46-22)
Two teams. Two different conferences. One common goal.
Both the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics consider the season a failure if it doesn't end with a championship. While the Mavericks hope to reach the NBA Finals through the Western Conference, the Celtics have the same mission via the East. The two paths could collide in June, but for now a collision course is set for Saturday night at the American Airlines Center.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) "They've got a great team over there," Mavs sixth man Jason Terry said of the ball club from Beantown. "This is a team you could possibly face in the Finals, so we definitely want to come out and put together a good performance."
The Mavericks are also looking to see how they stack up against the 2008 champs. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle says the Celtics have changed a lot since his team went into Boston and came out with a 99-90 win on Jan. 18.
"(The Celtics) have gotten themselves healthy, healthier than when we played them last," Carlisle said. "They've made a trade and injected some new blood into their situation. They've been playing well and winning games pretty handily, so we know they're going to be a tough matchup."
Now the Mavericks try to defend their home floor, as the Southwest and Atlantic Division leaders face off.
Boston has won three straight, including a 94-87 victory over Houston on Friday night. The Mavericks are determined not to let that streak reach four.
"They're playing very good right now. They've got into a good rhythm, especially the last couple of games," forward Caron Butler said.
"We've beaten them up there, but now I know they're going to remember that and come out here and play hard against us here at home," Terry added. "It's a big one. Any time you play against Boston, as you know their history and the story of their franchise, it's always a big game."
Big games are nothing new to the Mavericks, neither are big scoring outputs.
Dallas has scored 100-plus points in eight of its last 11 games. The team has gone 10-1 during that span. Matching up against one of the league's best defenses will certainly be a test.
"This is a team that is going to be tough, physical and they're going to play a playoff-style defense. And offensively they present a lot of challenges...It's a tough matchup, but it's an opportunity we look forward to," Carlisle said.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Mavs will try to contend with a Boston offense headlined by future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, while also stopping first-time All-Star Rajon Rondo. The Celtics also added former Mav Michael Finley and Slam Dunk champ Nate Robinson via the wavier wire and a recent trade, only bolstering their offensive arsenal.
"They're always a dangerous team. Any time you've got Hall of Famers like Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, a great All-Star point guard in Rondo, that's a dangerous team," Terry concluded.
The Mavericks will try to end a four-game home stand with a 3-1 record. The Mavs-Celtics matchup will appear on KTXA, airing at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com New York Knicks 128 at Dallas Mavericks 94
The way Saturday night transpired was not the way the Dallas Mavericks saw their 13-game winning streak coming to an end.
After handing the New York Knicks a 50-point loss on their home floor back on Jan. 24, the Mavericks knew that they would get New York's best effort in the second meeting. They certainly did. More importantly, the Mavericks entered the night with the opportunity to grab the NBA's longest winning streak of the season if they could add one more notch onto their 13-game victorious stretch. They didn't.
Instead the Knicks got even, torching the Mavericks on their home floor and ending Dallas' streak dead in its tracks with a 128-94 blowout loss.
(Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) "Obviously players in this league have a lot of pride. When we beat them by 50, they didn't forget it," forward Dirk Nowitzki said after the loss.
"We were poor defensively. And look, we were poor offensively, too," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle added. "It was a poor performance all around. We really didn't come close to winning a quarter. When you get thoroughly thrashed like that, it's something that's difficult. We've got work to do."
The night began with so much promise. Things seemed to be aligning for a Mavericks' victory before the game. It seemed only right that the Mavericks welcomed Puerto Rico native J.J. Barea back to the squad as they recognized the NBA's "Noche Latino." Barea returned to the court after missing a game with a sprained left ankle. With Barea back in action, "Los Mavs" took the hardwood not wearing their traditional green on St. Patrick's Day, but instead sporting their alternative royal uniforms with stitched-in insignia to honor Spanish Heritage Month.
Before the tip, Mexico native Eduardo Najera addressed the capacity crowd to make the Dallas faithful feel at home. But shortly afterwards, the Mavericks didn't feel quite at home themselves. The Knicks quickly jumped out to a 9-2 lead on the Mavs out of the gates. New York's early advantage was short-lived though. Behind Caron Butler and Nowitzki, the Mavericks rallied with an 11-2 run to briefly go in front. But in a quarter full of runs, not even point guard Jason Kidd's 140th made 3-pointer of the season, the most for a season in his illustrious career, was enough to keep the Knicks from taking a 30-25 lead at the end of one. The Knicks' 10-of-18 shooting bettered the Mavericks' 9-of-21 in the first quarter. New York also hit 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arch, which would become a trend.
"We just didn't come out with energy tonight," Barea said. "I've got to give credit to the Knicks -- they came out to play, they made shots and they made the game a lot harder on us tonight."
"We obviously weren't close enough to them early in the game to knock them off their rhythm. They got going. They are a very potent offensive team," Carlisle said of the visiting squad.
Knicks reserve forward Al Harrington began the second stanza on a tear. With Harrington attacking the rim, the Mavericks fell behind as much as 13 in the second quarter. But the Mavericks stayed in contention with timely scoring from Barea and Nowitzki. Still, the Mavericks couldn't overcome five second quarter turnovers. Because of Dallas' miscues and giveaways, the Mavericks entered the half down 58-48.
"They came out, hit a lot of shots and got into a rhythm. That was the story all night," Butler said.
New York out-shot Dallas 52 percent to 45 percent in the half. The Knicks' 14 points off the Mavericks' eight first half turnovers was the formula for the double-digit advantage. Meanwhile, Harrington led all scorers at the midway point with 15 points. Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 12 points in the first 24 minutes of play.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas defense continued to struggle to begin the third quarter, while the offense sputtered as well. With Tracy McGrady connecting on an array of jumpers, the Mavericks fell behind by as much as 25. New York outscored Dallas 33-18 in the third to enter the final period with a 91-66 advantage.
As Bill Walker scored with ease en route to a career night, New York's insurmountable lead reached as much as 37 in the fourth quarter, making a comeback attempt nearly impossible. The frustration on the Dallas bench was apparent when Nowitzki picked up a technical foul for arguing with the officials with 5:31 remaining.
"If you get embarrassed in your own gym, there's going to be some frustration," Nowitzki said.
The game was never in doubt the remainder of the way as both squads emptied their benches.
"The end result was really a lopsided game, to say the least...Over a 24-day period, when you don't lose a game, you're going to have teams gunning for you and you're going to have teams showing up that are going to get hot," Carlisle concluded. "If you don't have answers, it's going to be ugly. Tonight was ugly.
"I think this kind of night defines you to a certain degree. It's the adage about on a given night, anything can happen."
The table were completely flipped in comparison to the Mavericks' 128-78 shellacking of the Knicks back in January.
"It's not about what you did the last time against a team, it's about what you did tonight" Kidd said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get it done."
New York finished the night connecting on 56 percent of their shots from the field. Dallas meanwhile hit on just 43 percent at the other end. The Knicks also swished in 16-of-30 shots from behind the arch.
"They hit 16 threes. We knew they were a team that has been streaky from the 3-point line. They are capable of both making 10 or 15, or they are capable of having a lot of misses," the coach said.
But the Knicks weren't missing much of anything on this night. With a 46-36 edge in points in the paint and 19 points scored off Dallas' 15 total turnovers, the Knicks featured six scorers in double figures. Four of which scored 20-plus, led by Walker's career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 from the floor and 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
"They had a lot of answers tonight, and we played poorly," Carlisle said of New York's balanced scoring attack.
Despite a lackluster night at both ends of the floor, the Mavericks did have five players that scored in double figures. Nowitzki recorded his 15th double-double of the season, scoring 20 points on 5-of-13 shooting while also grabbing 12 rebounds. Kidd added 15 points, while Barea scored 14 in his return. Shawn Marion (14) and rookie Rodrigue Beaubois (13) also reached double figures, albeit in a loss.
Now the Mavericks try to get back on the winning track with two more matchups left on a four-game home stand.
"All good things come to an end. We'll just have to start another streak," Butler said.
The Mavericks welcome in the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, with the game airing locally on KTXA and HD NET at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Mavericks just escaped Chicago with a 122-116 road win on March 6.
"We've got a long three days before the next game, and we have a couple of practice days, Monday and Tuesday, where we're going to have to get some things done," Carlisle said while looking ahead.
The home stretch concludes with an 8 p.m. date with the Boston Celtics next Saturday. That game will also appear on KTXA. The Mavericks handed the Celtics a 99-90 home loss on Jan. 18 in the first meeting between the teams.
Tickets for both games are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com New Jersey Nets 87 at Dallas Mavericks 96
For the most part, the Dallas Mavericks' play over the last 13 games has been a thrill to watch. But for 24 minutes on Wednesday night, everything the Mavericks had accomplished since the All-Star break was in jeopardy of coming to a screeching halt.
Playing against the New Jersey Nets, the team with the NBA's worst record, the Mavericks found themselves in a double-digit hole in the first half. But stellar defense and the play of Jason Kidd and Caron Butler erased that disadvantage in the third and fourth quarters. The result was a 96-87 victory to begin a four-game home stand. It is the team's 13th consecutive win, tying the league's best stretch by any team this season.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) "The difference tonight was when they were scoring, we weren't able to go back and score back on them, like we have been able to do in the last couple of games," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after the win. "But the key is finding a way to win."
Injuries have riddled the Mavericks recently. But the team has played through their recent ailments, taking the NBA's longest active winning streak into their matchup with the Nets. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they took a step in the right direction on the injury front, as two 7-footers returned to the streaking Dallas squad. Despite losing reserve guard J.J. Barea (left ankle) in the Mavericks' 125-112 win over Minnesota on Monday night, the team was delighted to have big men Brendan Haywood and Erick Dampier back on the floor. Haywood returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with lower back tightness. Dampier saw his first game action since dislocating his right middle finger on Feb. 16 in a 99-86 loss to Oklahoma City.
But even with the two big bodies on the floor, the Mavericks were out of sink in the early going. The Nets jumped out to a 17-3 lead from the opening tip. The duo of former Mav Devin Harris and Nets center Brook Lopez dominated the Dallas defense in the opening quarter, lifting New Jersey to a 33-19 lead after one.
"The only thing we've down during this stretch is play good defense. We didn't do that in the first quarter," Haywood said.
The Nets shot lights-out in the first quarter, hitting on 14-of-21 shots from the field. Meanwhile, the Mavericks struggled to just 7-for-17 shooting.
"The first quarter was ugly and we played poorly. They shot a high percentage. Really what the game came down to was the defensive end. I believe they shot 32 percent the final three quarters, but them shooting 67 or 68 in the first quarter was not the right way to start," Carlisle said.
New Jersey continued to come at the Mavericks head-on in the second quarter, led by swingman Terrence Williams' attacking play. But after trailing by as much as 18, the Mavericks rallied behind rookie guard Rodrigue Beaubois. A 10-1 run was capped in spectacular fashion when Kidd dove into the crowd to save a loose ball, eventually leading to a transition dunk for Shawn Marion to cut Dallas' deficit to single digits. The game's intensity level picked up from that point. The last 7:26 of the second stanza, the Nets shot 2-for-10 and committed five turnovers. The Mavs outscored the visiting team 16-6 during that stretch. Still, the Mavs entered the half down 47-39.
New Jersey out-shot Dallas 53 percent to 36 percent in the first half. The Nets capitalized off of Dallas' seven first half turnovers, scoring 13 points on Maverick miscues. Harris led all scorers at the midway point with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Beaubois kept the Mavs close with his 11 points off the bench.
"They have some dynamic players. They are athletic, they're hungry. They came out and hit a bunch of shots and we weren't as good as we needed to be defensively. So, we got in a big hole. At halftime, basically, we felt like if we could have a 40-point defensive half, we'd be in position to win the game. That's exactly what we held them to," Carlisle said.
An angrily aggressive Dallas team came out of the locker room to start the second half. The Mavericks' 12-2 run knotted the game at 51-all at the 7:30-mark of the third. Dallas took its first lead of the night a short time later on a pair of Shawn Marion free throws. They never looked back. Outscoring the Nets 31-15 in the third, the Mavericks galloped into the final period with a 70-62 advantage.
"Our defensive disposition was stronger," Carlisle said. "We were more physical. We were more alert. We scored 31 that quarter. A lot of them came in transition off stops."
Beaubois and Kidd quickly put distance between the two teams, giving the Mavs a double-digit lead with sharp shooting from behind the 3-point arch. But the Nets were able to hang tough behind former Mav Kris Humphries and Jarvis Hayes. The Dallas offense looked for an answer with Dirk Nowitzki having a rare off night.
"Dirk wasn't playing extremely well, but we can't ask him to score 20 to 30 every night," Kidd said.
Things got even harder when Beaubois picked up his sixth foul, taking him out of the game with the Mavs up just 85-81 with 5:36 remaining. The Mavericks' lead shrunk to as little as two before Kidd and Butler elevated their games to push the Mavs to the victory. The future Hall of Fame point guard rained in a three to put his team up 90-85 with 2:43 left. Butler followed Kidd with a jumper of his own.
"Obviously, things are going to run through (Nowitzki)," Butler said. "But when things aren't going well, that's what we're here for -- a helping hand."
Butler even battled through a hit to the face while battling with Haywood for a rebound, making perhaps the play of the game when he found that same teammate that knocked him to the floor for a layup with 50.8 ticks left to put the Mavericks up seven.
"The assist to Haywood was the key play that probably put the game away," the coach said of the sequence.
The two-time All-Star then added a pair of free throws to seal the Mavericks' 13th straight win.
The streak continued despite the back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Week, Nowitzki, hitting just 3-of-16 shots and scoring 12 points in just over 40 minutes played.
"My jump shot was all over the place, just not in the middle," Nowitzki simply said.
"Dirk had an atypical night, but you're not going to play like the MVP every night," Carlisle said of the superstar's rough night. "I think he's earned the right to have an off night."
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
With Nowitzki struggling, Kidd stepped up with 20 points and nine assists. Butler added 18, while Beaubois posted 16 points off the bench before fouling out. In his return to the lineup, Haywood record a double-double, scoring 11 points and snatching 10 rebounds. But it was Marion's 14-point, 13-rebound night that had his coach raving.
"Shawn Marion has been Mr. Everything for us -- Mr. Whatever-we-need," Carlisle concluded.
Returning to Dallas, Harris scored a game-high 21 points after his 7-for-14 shooting. Williams pitched in 18 points off the bench, as six Nets scored in double figures including Humphries who finished with 13 points.
The Mavericks finished the night out-shooting the Nets 44 percent to 41 percent, even after Dallas' cold start. The Mavs also hit 6-of-13 from behind the arch. Losing the rebounding battle (44-40) and the points in the paint (40-38), the Mavericks' 25-11 advantage in fast break points was a telling stat.
The streaking squad from Big D will now take Thursday off. The Mavs will hit the practice court on Friday, and they'll look to extend their winning streak on Saturday night against the New York Knicks.
In the second of four games on their current home stand, the Mavericks welcome in a Knicks squad that they beat 128-78 in New York on Jan. 24. That Knicks-Mavs 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.
"We're not thinking about the streak. We just want to get better every game. We want to win every game," Kidd said.
Playing in just 27 regular-season games with the Dallas Mavericks, Caron Butler completed a crash course in transition basketball. The eight-year veteran learned that in order to be effective in Dallas' run-and-gun offense, he simply has to run. Point guard Jason Kidd will do the rest.
"With a talent like that, you want him being aggressive -- make or miss," Kidd said of Butler's early struggles. 
Posts
