Finley's injury has Mavs concerned, could miss opener
Finley's injury has Mavs concerned
Veteran swingman could miss opener because of hamstring
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
Michael Finley has missed two preseason games to rest his left hamstring, and his injury should be the most worrisome of the Mavericks' many ailments.
Finley no longer is the iron man who once went six seasons without missing a game. He's 32 and has missed about a month of action each of the last three years. While Marquis Daniels' ankle was a more severe injury when it happened, he is nine years younger than Finley, and his recuperative powers would figure to be better.
Finley said he could not be certain about playing tonight against San Antonio or in the preseason finale Thursday against Sacramento, both at American Airlines Center. And if he misses one or both, he will start the regular season needing to knock off a lot of rust.
"Right now, it's still been sore after I work out, and that's what we're trying to get rid of," Finley said. "I don't know when I'll play. I'm literally day to day.
"The only date that really matters is Nov. 2 [the season opener]."
That's the target, but Finley also is not opposed to delaying his start of the regular season if that is the prudent thing to do. Coach Don Nelson isn't necessarily against it, either.
"You have to be real careful with hamstrings," Nelson said. "It's better to err on the side of caution."
Finley and Daniels are the projected starters at small forward and shooting guard. But Josh Howard has started in Daniels' place during the preseason, and Jerry Stackhouse could be called on, assuming his groin problems heal before Tuesday's opener. Devin Harris and Dirk Nowitzki also have been fighting aches and illnesses.
"It's just been a mess," Nelson said of his team's run of bad injury luck. "This has been very unusual. The only players who aren't hurt are the ones who are supposed to be hurt."
One of those would be Alan Henderson, whose back problems of a year ago have been dormant in training camp.
Briefly:
The Mavericks announced Monday that four-time all-star Rolando Blackman, director of player development, will join the television broadcast crew as an analyst this season. He will team with play-by-play man Matt Pinto and color analyst Bob Ortegel.
The Mavericks are offering a three-pack discount on tickets to the first three home games of the regular season. Terrace seats (regularly $39) can be bought for $25 when purchased in a set for the opening three games. ... The Mavericks are 2-4 in the preseason, but look no further than tonight's visitors for proof that October means nothing. The Spurs, whom many tab as preseason favorites for the league title, are 1-3.
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