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kriD · 04-19-2008, 07:19 AM

MAVERICKS NOTES

Hornets' defense will try to work on Dirk

By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- In four regular-season games, the Dallas Mavericks have seen the New Orleans Hornets' defensive game plan.

"They're going to make somebody else beat them," point guard Jason Kidd said.

In Game 1 of the first-round series tonight, Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki will probably see double teams and traps by the Hornets in an attempt to make him pass the ball. They've been successful doing it.

Two of Nowitzki's six lowest-scoring games this season came against New Orleans, including a seven-point performance Dec. 14 and a 12-point game in Wednesday's regular-season finale. He scored 31 on Feb. 20 and 19 on Dec. 1.

Interestingly, the Mavs lost the latter two games and won the two in which Nowitzki was held well below his season scoring average of 23.6 points per game. Nowitzki's 17.3-point average against the Hornets was his lowest against a Western Conference team. He shot 36.7 percent in the four games, including 9.1 percent (1-for-11) from 3-point range.

"We know it's something a lot of teams love to try on us," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said of double teams. "Because of that, it's nothing new. We've seen it before. How we execute against it is going to be a big key in this series, and how we make them pay for their double teams.

"We've got to figure out ways that when he's getting double-teamed we still try to get him the ball back in some kind of way."

Big Bass

Power forward Brandon Bass, a Baton Rouge native who played at LSU and spent his first two NBA seasons riding the Hornets' bench, could play a key role in this playoff series, the first of his career.

He logged 30 minutes Wednesday against the Hornets and scored 13 points, his fifth double-digit scoring game in his past six, while center Erick Dampier was limited to 17 minutes.

Considering Dirk Nowitzki's defensive mobility issues because of his sprained left ankle, Bass could be even more valuable in helping to guard New Orleans All-Star forward David West and center Tyson Chandler.

"No, he is not more important because of Dirk's situation," Avery Johnson said. "Everybody on the team is important. I wouldn't say Bass is more important. We don't need to add any added pressure to the young man."

Who's the underdog?

As the No. 7 seed, the Mavs are the natural underdog against the second-seeded Hornets. Nationally, however, many analysts are picking the Mavs to win the series, primarily because of their experience.

Avery Johnson has a problem with that.

"It's a total disrespect for New Orleans; that's what it is," Johnson said. "And a lot of people nationally, they don't know what they're talking about. Nobody has a crystal ball on who's going to win, who's going to lose. All we know is we're a seventh seed and they've had a terrific season.

"First of all, I don't know why anybody would pick us anyway. They never pick us."

Draft tidbits

The NBA broke four ties and finalized the 2008 draft order for non-lottery teams Friday. The Mavs would have picked 21st, but the pick goes to New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd trade.

04-19-2008, 07:19 AM	#10
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	MAVERICKS NOTES Hornets' defense will try to work on Dirk By JEFF CAPLAN Star-Telegram Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS -- In four regular-season games, the Dallas Mavericks have seen the New Orleans Hornets' defensive game plan. "They're going to make somebody else beat them," point guard Jason Kidd said. In Game 1 of the first-round series tonight, Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki will probably see double teams and traps by the Hornets in an attempt to make him pass the ball. They've been successful doing it. Two of Nowitzki's six lowest-scoring games this season came against New Orleans, including a seven-point performance Dec. 14 and a 12-point game in Wednesday's regular-season finale. He scored 31 on Feb. 20 and 19 on Dec. 1. Interestingly, the Mavs lost the latter two games and won the two in which Nowitzki was held well below his season scoring average of 23.6 points per game. Nowitzki's 17.3-point average against the Hornets was his lowest against a Western Conference team. He shot 36.7 percent in the four games, including 9.1 percent (1-for-11) from 3-point range. "We know it's something a lot of teams love to try on us," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said of double teams. "Because of that, it's nothing new. We've seen it before. How we execute against it is going to be a big key in this series, and how we make them pay for their double teams. "We've got to figure out ways that when he's getting double-teamed we still try to get him the ball back in some kind of way." Big Bass Power forward Brandon Bass, a Baton Rouge native who played at LSU and spent his first two NBA seasons riding the Hornets' bench, could play a key role in this playoff series, the first of his career. He logged 30 minutes Wednesday against the Hornets and scored 13 points, his fifth double-digit scoring game in his past six, while center Erick Dampier was limited to 17 minutes. Considering Dirk Nowitzki's defensive mobility issues because of his sprained left ankle, Bass could be even more valuable in helping to guard New Orleans All-Star forward David West and center Tyson Chandler. "No, he is not more important because of Dirk's situation," Avery Johnson said. "Everybody on the team is important. I wouldn't say Bass is more important. We don't need to add any added pressure to the young man." Who's the underdog? As the No. 7 seed, the Mavs are the natural underdog against the second-seeded Hornets. Nationally, however, many analysts are picking the Mavs to win the series, primarily because of their experience. Avery Johnson has a problem with that. "It's a total disrespect for New Orleans; that's what it is," Johnson said. "And a lot of people nationally, they don't know what they're talking about. Nobody has a crystal ball on who's going to win, who's going to lose. All we know is we're a seventh seed and they've had a terrific season. "First of all, I don't know why anybody would pick us anyway. They never pick us." Draft tidbits The NBA broke four ties and finalized the 2008 draft order for non-lottery teams Friday. The Mavs would have picked 21st, but the pick goes to New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd trade.