Tough stretch ahead

[Usually Lurkin]

SA helps out with an L

[darkwitzki]

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz
1/13 vs Lakers
1/15 vs Thunder
1/17 @ Raptors
1/18 @ Celtics

[darkwitzki]

Man I love doing this especially a big bold green "W"

[xrobx]

lakers have lost 2 straight now, if we win tomorrow, we're only 2.5 games out of 1st place in the west, and a chance to pull even closer when we play them at home on 1/13...

the lakers had a bunch of home games to start the season but they are slumping... we can win the west. believe.

[darkwitzki]

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz L
1/13 vs Lakers L
1/15 vs Thunder L
1/17 @ Raptors
1/18 @ Celtics

I hate losses.

[dirt_dobber]

Originally Posted by darkwitzki

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz L
1/13 vs Lakers
1/15 vs Thunder
1/17 @ Raptors
1/18 @ Celtics

I hate losses.

if the "rhythm" continues........... the next occurrence in the pattern should be
1/13 vs Lakers W
1/15 vs Thunder L
1/17 @ Raptors W
1/18 @ Celtics W

[darkwitzki]

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz L
1/13 vs Lakers L
1/15 vs Thunder W
1/17 @ Raptors
1/18 @ Celtics

[aurelino9]

This thread inspired others to look at the same stretch as well:
http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=2456

[darkwitzki]

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz L
1/13 vs Lakers L
1/15 vs Thunder W
1/17 @ Raptors L
1/18 @ Celtics

[LonghornDub]

I have a strange feeling the Mavs are going to win at Boston tomorrow. No idea why.

[Usually Lurkin]

Those "7-3 or it's a failure" kind of predictions opening the thread look kinda laughable now.
Of the original "tough stretch", we're 4-5 with the Celts left.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I have a strange feeling the Mavs are going to win at Boston tomorrow. No idea why.

any "strange feelings" on the lottery numbers?

[aurelino9]

So we finished the original 10-game stretch at 5-5. Not bad but better was expected from this team.
We finished the extended 15-game stretch 8-7. Nothing to throw a parade for. Denver has inched really close and we need to keep winning and maintain some distance.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by mavs777

any "strange feelings" on the lottery numbers?

0 2 5 25 31 41

[LonghornDub]

As for the tough stretch and only going 8-7 (or 5-5 depending where you demarcate), I think we should keep in perspective that the Mavs are still #2 in the West after playing that very tough stretch. That is nothing to scoff at. There is a lot of parity in the league this year, and even the "very best" teams only have a few less losses than the Mavs halfway through.

[CadBane]

4 8 15 16 23 42

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by CadBane

4 8 15 16 23 42

I see what you did there.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

0 2 5 25 31 41

Thanks

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

0 2 5 25 31 41

True story: I picked 5 7 31 41 42 44 right before the '06 Finals and won $3.

[twelli]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

As for the tough stretch and only going 8-7 (or 5-5 depending where you demarcate), I think we should keep in perspective that the Mavs are still #2 in the West after playing that very tough stretch. That is nothing to scoff at. There is a lot of parity in the league this year, and even the "very best" teams only have a few less losses than the Mavs halfway through.

Easy stretch ahead: WAS, PHI, NJ, MIL

We have to go 4-0 to hopefully open a little gap to SA

Maybe Cuban can take a player or two home from Philly?

[Dim499]

Originally Posted by darkwitzki

12/18 vs Rockets L
12/20 vs Cavs W
12/22 vs Blazers L
12/26 vs Grizzlies W
12/27 @ Nuggets W
12/31@ Rockets L
1/02 @Kings W
1/03 @ Lakers L
1/05 vs Pistons W
1/08 @ Spurs W
1/09 vs Jazz L
1/13 vs Lakers L
1/15 vs Thunder W
1/17 @ Raptors L
1/18 @ Celtics

They went through it without three losses in a row. Will this be the first time in Dirk's career that they go a whole season without losing three or more in a row?
Thats really all Dirk has left to accomplish. Not losing three in a row in a season.

[badfish22]

The Mavs have the weakest remaining schedule of any West team at .478 (3rd weakest in NBA). The hardest? Denver at .539.

[Nowitzki4President]

Originally Posted by badfish22

The Mavs have the weakest remaining schedule of any West team at .478 (3rd weakest in NBA). The hardest? Denver at .539.

Nice. Can you link me to something that shows the remaining difficulty of schedules for each team?

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by Dim499

They went through it without three losses in a row. Will this be the first time in Dirk's career that they go a whole season without losing three or more in a row?
Thats really all Dirk has left to accomplish. Not losing three in a row in a season.

All? This doesn't really matter all he has left to accomplish is win a title

[UtahDirkfan]

Just get a W against the Jazz. Just once I'd like to see Dirk go off on the Jazz in Utah while I am at the game.

[Dim499]

Originally Posted by mavs777

All? This doesn't really matter all he has left to accomplish is win a title

Well there you go. For the 11th year in a row Dirk has lost three in a row. This whole career is a failure.

[aurelino9]

Following the "tough stretch", they are 3-4 and while the last 3 losses have come against playoff teams (two on the road), those teams are catching up fast (Utah only half a game back).

This is not the way they should be going into the all-star break.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by aurelino9

Following the "tough stretch", they are 3-4 and while the last 3 losses have come against playoff teams (two on the road), those teams are catching up fast (Utah only half a game back).

This is not the way they should be going into the all-star break.

Barring any transaction in regards to JHo unfortunately, it's not going to get any better. The guy is sulking, counting the days until it's official.

[aurelino9]

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

Barring any transaction in regards to JHo unfortunately, it's not going to get any better. The guy is sulking, counting the days until it's official.

What he said. 6-1 since the trade.

According to Jeff Sagarin, the Mavs have had the second-toughest schedule so far (behind Houston) while Denver has had the 4th easiest. This will factor into the final run.

Some other interesting observations: Dallas is 12-9 vs top-10 teams, 21-14 against top-16 and 21-17 vs. above .500 teams.

Denver, on the other hand, is 13-5 vs top-10, 20-10 vs. top 16 and 23-10 vs. above .500.

Utah is 7-13, 21-15 and 23-16 vs those teams respectively.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by aurelino9

What he said. 6-1 since the trade.

According to Jeff Sagarin, the Mavs have had the second-toughest schedule so far (behind Houston) while Denver has had the 4th easiest. This will factor into the final run.

Some other interesting observations: Dallas is 12-9 vs top-10 teams, 21-14 against top-16 and 21-17 vs. above .500 teams.

Denver, on the other hand, is 13-5 vs top-10, 20-10 vs. top 16 and 23-10 vs. above .500.

Utah is 7-13, 21-15 and 23-16 vs those teams respectively.

Denver owned the Lakers through yesterday's first half. Plus you look at Denver, young, immature team, will play with fire, they play up to the level of competition and down to the level of competition.

[aurelino9]

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

Denver owned the Lakers through yesterday's first half. Plus you look at Denver, young, immature team, will play with fire, they play up to the level of competition and down to the level of competition.

Also, their road record is probably the worst of all the top teams in the west.

[endrity]

We surely seem poised to have a good run now, easy schedule, energized team, more impact players, Dirk seemingly getting his beginning-of-the-season stroke back!