Mavs Game Night: Pray. Win. Shave.

by Damian Jackson on April 14, 2013 in Mavs 09 comments

Despite postseason contention out the window, the Dallas Mavericks willed their way to a home 108-105 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets Friday night. The win brought the Mavs within one game of .500 once again.

When Dallas visits the New Orleans Hornets they will try to fulfill and cease the beard pact made what feels FOREVER ago. And boy is it time, Dirk needs a shave badly.

This time around the Mavs better be prepared and ready for the fight. They last had the opportunity against the West-worst Phoenix Suns, but were outplayed and took the loss.

“Whether it’s a preseason game or regular season game, I do my regular routine, I stretch and get in my nap,” said Nowitzki. “Once I go out there, it’s fun, I try to win and go out there and compete. We got three games left and we have to go for them.”

Nowitzki, Vince Carter and O.J. Mayo each scored 20 points or more in the win against the Nuggets. The well balanced attack coupled with the fight to comeback exemplified heart.

“We fought to the end. It was a needed win … I just want to end the season on a positive note and go hard. Play it to the end and see what happens.” – Vince Carter

Dirk is 10 points short of reaching 25,000 points in his career. He admitted he’d prefer to reach the milestone in front of the home fans, but will be satisfied either way. Basically he’s saying he’s scoring 10+ tonight against the Hornets.

New Orleans has shut down Anthony Davis (knee) for the season, but have plenty of guys who have given the Mavs trouble in the season series. Eric Gordon has averaged 23.3 points over his last three games and Ryan Anderson is second in the NBA with 208 made 3-pointers.

“We are all feeling frustrated because we know we can win,” coach Monty Williams said.

The Hornets have always given the Mavs trouble in New Orleans and will attempt to play spoiler and keep the Mavs itchy.

After tonight’s game, Dallas concludes its season with two home games against Memphis and these Hornets. The Mavs are 16-24 on the road and look to win their last game away from the American Airlines Center.

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Mavericks at Hornets tip at 5:00 p.m. CT and airs on FSSW/FSNO/NBATV.

Let’s Go Mavs!

Source: TheTwoManGame, ESPN

 

 

 

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Pre Game Report: New Orleans Hornets (3-2) @ Dallas Mavericks (2-3)

by Ryan Wilson on October 23, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

The Dallas Mavericks (2-3) host the New Orleans Hornets (3-2) in American Airlines Center. Both teams enter this game coming off two straight lop-sided preseason losses.

With each team trying to incorporate new veteran players and rookies, the on-court production has been erratic and inconsistent.

The Hornets’ No. 1 overall pick, Anthony Davis, has played in four of the five games and produced respectable averages of 15 points, eight rebounds and a shade over one block. Fellow rookie Austin Rivers has struggled with his efficiency through five games. Rivers has averaged nine points on only 29-percent shooting from the field and a head-scratching 14-percent clip beyond the arc.

For the Mavericks, Jae Crowder stands out as the gleaming bright spot. Selected with the 34th pick in the draft this year, he’s battled and fulfilled all the scouting report cards. Crowder defines confidence, possesses an NBA-ready build and utilizes his all-around skills that have immediately earned respect and minutes.

Take a look at Crowder’s impressive stat line over the last three games: 15 points on 50% shooting, 40% from deep. Crowder’s hustle and Energizer-type motor may be his best assets as they’ve led to stellar averages of 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals and one block.

As a team, the Mavericks continue to struggle with offensive flow and it will not be any easier without 11-time all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki underwent knee surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss three to six weeks.

Rick Carlisle wants his team to improve on the defensive end. The Mavericks surrender a shade less than 100 points each game.Carlisleconstantly tinkers with lineups, finding energy and grit needed to get stops and increase transition opportunities.

The Hornets provide the Mavericks a quality test Monday night. The Mavericks need to bring consistent defensive intensity, create turnovers and score in the open court.

The ACC home crowd will get its first glimpse at rookies Davis and Rivers, but when the night is said and done, the Mavs will want them remembering one thing – a Mavs win.

Game tips at 7:30 PM CST and airs on TXA 21.

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Gordon Open To Big Easy?

by Ryan Wilson on June 13, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Eric Gordon‘s hometown fans may want him back in Indianapolis.

It doesn’t mean the shooting guard will be switching teams next season.

During a break at Saturday’s annual Indiana-Kentucky boys All-Star game in Indianapolis, Gordon told The Associated Press that he would like his next NBA city to be a long-term destination — even if he winds up staying in New Orleans.

“I do like New Orleans,” he said. “It’s a pretty good city with good fans and it’s a good organization.”

Gordon’s comments are a contrast to the conventional wisdom that he didn’t like playing in the Crescent City, rumors coach Monty Williams attempted to put to rest in February when he told reporters it was “way off base.”

Time will tell.

Gordon, the key piece for New Orleans in the deal that sent All-Star guard Chris Paul to theLos Angeles Clippers, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent July 1, giving the Hornets and new owner Tom Benson the option to match any offer Gordon gets.

“They’ve got all the cards,” Gordon said. “But I wouldn’t mind (going back).”

He spent his first three seasons with the Clippers, and many assumed that Gordon andBlake Griffin would be the cornerstones to the Clippers future.

That changed when Paul became a prime trade target after NBA players and owners agreed to a deal that ended the lockout.

Gordon had a miserable season. He played only two games before bruising his right knee, then sat out for one month as team doctors prescribed rest. Eventually, Gordon opted for arthroscopic surgery, a move that kept him out of action until April.

In all, Gordon played in only nine games, averaging 20.6 points.

Some Pacers fans believe Gordon’s heart still resides in Indiana, where he grew up and played college basketball for one year before turning pro.

He sponsors an AAU team in the area and plays in a summer league here along with Pacers guard George Hill. The summer league has given some of Indiana’s talented pro and college players an outlet to play against one another when they come home.

Gordon also attends events at Bankers Life Fieldhouse events, the Pacers’ home court, including Saturday’s high school all-star game. And his younger brother, Eron, is a highly touted youngster. Eric Gordon said his brother has already received offers from Indiana, even though he won’t start high school till this fall.

“I go to his games during the summer, during the season it’s tough,” the older brother said. “He’s working hard, he’s very capable. But it’s hard to make comparisons because I wasn’t his height when I was his age.”

It’s possible the Pacers could make an offer. They’re projected to be about a $21 million under next season’s anticipated salary cap.

But Pacers president Larry Bird and coach Frank Vogel have both said they prefer to keep their own free agents, including Hill and center Roy Hibbert, who are also restricted free agents, rather than sign a player from another team, following the philosophy of team owner Herb Simon.

“I’d go after anybody, but I understand his (Simon’s) point of view,” Bird said. “If you go after someone, you’re going to pay for them.”

The Pacers also are trying to get their front office solidified before free agency starts.

Bird appears to be leaning toward a return as team president next season, and Yahoo! Sports reported Friday that once Bird’s deal is done, he will promote Kevin Pritchard to general manager.

The Pacers have said no decision will be made until after Bird and Simon meet, which is expected to take place next week.

All Gordon wants is a place to call home — whether it’s Indianapolis, New Orleans or some other place.

“Basketball is basketball, it doesn’t matter where you play,” Gordon said. “The trade was something new for me, there were a lot of new situations for me. Hopefully, my next situation will be my destination for a long time.”
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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