GDT: Mavs @ Hornets 03/14/16 6:00pm CT - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Underdog · 03-14-2016, 02:10 PM

The Charlotte Hornets were in the Southeast Division cellar less than two months ago. They have a chance to take over first place this week.

The Hornets can secure their longest win streak in 16 seasons when they face the slumping Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.

Charlotte was 19-23 and 6 1/2 games back in the Southeast on Jan. 20 following its 15th loss in 20 contests. The Hornets have won 18 of 23 since and earned a seventh consecutive victory Saturday, 125-109 over Houston.

Kemba Walker shined once again in his team's eighth straight home win with 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, and Marvin Williams added 25. Walker is averaging 28.6 points and 52.9 percent shooting during the win streak, going 25 of 51 from 3-point range.

"We're just trying to approach every game the same. We just want to win," Walker said. "I'm excited. We're playing well. We're playing our best right now, but I think we still have room for improvement. We have got to keep it rolling."

Charlotte is looking for its longest win streak since Dec. 3-18, 1999, and a ninth victory in a row at home would match the third-longest in franchise history.

Extending those streaks might also allow the Hornets (37-28) to overtake Miami in the division.

Charlotte is a half-game behind the Heat, who play Denver on Monday night. The Hornets will try to do their part to erase the last remnant of that deficit by sending Dallas (33-33) to a sixth consecutive loss.

The Mavericks dropped to .500 for the first time since Nov. 11 with a 112-105 defeat to visiting Indiana on Saturday, their 14th consecutive game of allowing at least 101 points. Dirk Nowitzki helped keep his team competitive by scoring 15 of his 30 in the final quarter.

"We're a .500 team. We deserve to be a .500 team and we're at that crossroads," guard Wesley Matthews said. "Where do we want to go? What do we want to do about it?"

Dallas is in a virtual tie with Houston for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. The defensively challenged Mavericks will face a team that's averaged 118.0 points in its last seven games while shooting 43.1 percent from 3-point range.

"It's just a lot of little things, and it's tiny things, at this point, that we've got to do better. We're close, but we're just not good enough right now. We've just got to better," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're playing good teams. Indiana is a good team. Charlotte is going to be the same kind of team."

The Hornets went 6 of 27 from beyond the arc against Dallas on Nov. 5, but shot 49.4 percent overall in a 108-94 victory. Al Jefferson led the way with a season-high 31 points on 15 of 18 from the field.

Nowitzki was limited to 14 points and shot 4 of 12, and he's averaged 12.8 points in his last four games against Charlotte. However, he's scored 26.8 points and hit 57.1 percent in his past four overall.

The Mavericks have lost four of five on the road and gone to overtime in each of their last three such games. No team has played to an extra period in four consecutive road contests since at least 1951-52.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400828875

spreedom · 03-14-2016, 02:11 PM

CGM · 03-14-2016, 03:46 PM

The Mavs needed a roadtrip to relieve the homecourt pressure... the BobHorns may be playing well lately, but their streak stops at 7... by the way, that will be the Mavs magical winning number tonight, as Parsons and Dirk have a monster game, and also as Wes talks less and scores 7 3-pt FG....

Mavs - 109
BobHorns - 102

DirkFTW · 03-14-2016, 04:58 PM

No floating like a butterfly, or else we'll be stung by the bee.

Skywalker · 03-14-2016, 05:40 PM

Classic trap game (for the Hornets).

Easiest of Ws

BPo001 · 03-14-2016, 06:12 PM

I haven't watched the last few games. Is this starting lineup new or have we rolled this out the last few games?

spreedom · 03-14-2016, 06:13 PM

Random thought at tip off: While I think we can all agree that Wes has been pretty terrible this season, I won't pass judgment on him as a signing until the end of next season. I have faith that he's not fully through his recovery.

And Parsons opens the game with a wide open three.

spreedom · 03-14-2016, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPo001

I haven't watched the last few games. Is this starting lineup new or have we rolled this out the last few games?

14th different lineup this season.

DevinHarriswillstart · 03-14-2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spreedom

Random thought at tip off: While I think we can all agree that Wes has been pretty terrible this season, I won't pass judgement on him as a signing until the end of next season. I have faith that he's not fully through his recovery.

And Parsons opens the game with a wide open three.

If this is true, then he should rest games. Monta did the same thing playing through injury last season, and it hurt the team. Instead, Matthews leads the Mavs in minutes played this season. That is borderline insane coming off such an injury.

GermanDunk · 03-14-2016, 06:41 PM

Who can give me a link ?

GermanDunk · 03-14-2016, 06:51 PM

OK, i´m on

Skywalker · 03-14-2016, 06:56 PM

Uhhh...how was that a technical on Anderson?

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 06:58 PM

Starting lineup for tonight's game is an adjustment the team needed. This Mavs roster needs to start off fast and expand on offense.

GermanDunk · 03-14-2016, 07:01 PM

Man, how was that #41 ad ?

BPo001 · 03-14-2016, 07:04 PM

WTF was that Matthews? Practicing your statue shot?

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 07:06 PM

Wes at least shouldn't be shrugging after missing. He's our leader on defense.

Underdog · 03-14-2016, 07:14 PM

Mavs playing subpar, but still leading because the Hornets are playing like warmed-over poo.

GermanDunk · 03-14-2016, 07:14 PM

+19 Not too bad, ha ?

Skywalker · 03-14-2016, 07:15 PM

Good shit

Bryan_Wilson · 03-14-2016, 07:34 PM

No lead is safe....

ActionJackson · 03-14-2016, 07:36 PM

You can't start a quarter like that! But the biggest problem is Deron's four fouls. Kemba will be tough for the rest of the game.

turin · 03-14-2016, 07:40 PM

This lead doesn't look like it's going to last.

turin · 03-14-2016, 07:44 PM

Here comes the no-defense, offensive melt-down. SMH

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 07:56 PM

Dirk with 21 points and 10 rebounds. What a beast!

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 07:59 PM

Wesley Matthews is 0-6 with ZERO points. Can't wait to amnesty him when the new NBA CBA arrives. HE SUCKS! Give me MONTA ELLIS ALL DAY OVER THAT BUM

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 08:02 PM

Finish with hustle

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:04 PM

71-71 tied game. Can't wait for the day Rick Carlisle is officially fired. Still playing JJ Barea who just got burned for back to back 3's by Walker.

Bryan_Wilson · 03-14-2016, 08:04 PM

I've seen this movie before.

DevinHarriswillstart · 03-14-2016, 08:05 PM

Everything is simple. Don't play Matthews. Don't blow big leads. Don't suck. Don't blow another game to make it 6 losses in a row.

Skywalker · 03-14-2016, 08:06 PM

This is fucking depressing, although not surprising

GermanDunk · 03-14-2016, 08:06 PM

Orrr

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:09 PM

Dirk with 23 points. Mavs up 76-75

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 08:10 PM

All about shot selections. Who steps to the plate next to Dirk.

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:13 PM

Mavs up 84-79 with 7:53 in the 4th remaining after back 2 back 3's by Deron Williams & Chandler Parsons

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:22 PM

Dwill taking over for the Mavs. He might be lazy but he is for sure clutch!

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:22 PM

Wow Raymond Felton finally made a 3

1 for 25 LMAO

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 08:23 PM

Parsons playing like he did in houston. Good stuff!

Bryan_Wilson · 03-14-2016, 08:23 PM

Everything shifted when Wes decided to take up residence in Kemba's personal space.

yahyes · 03-14-2016, 08:26 PM

I think Carlisle has a new starting lineup he can use.

TheSportyChannel · 03-14-2016, 08:28 PM

Parsons making good shots today. Still without Dirk nothing matters