GDT: Mavericks vs Bucks 8:00 pm CST - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

left texas · 01-01-2011, 03:28 AM

LINK

The Dallas Mavericks have gone from playing like a championship contender to looking rather ordinary since Dirk Nowitzki's injury.

Surprisingly, they also didn't play particularly well with their superstar forward in a stunning loss to the Milwaukee Bucks three weeks ago.

The Mavericks, who again might be without Nowitzki, try to avoid losing their third a row while avenging that defeat to the Bucks when they visit Milwaukee on Saturday night.

Nowitzki is expected to travel with Dallas (24-7) for its weekend trip, but it is uncertain if he will play in this contest or Sunday's game in Cleveland. The nine-time All-Star sprained his right knee in Monday's 103-93 win over Oklahoma City and is listed as day to day.

Without Nowitzki's 24.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, the Mavericks lost to Toronto 84-76 on Tuesday and fell to San Antonio 99-93 on Thursday. Brian Cardinal started in Nowitzki's place Thursday and finished with nine points for Dallas, which had reached the 100-point mark in 13 of its previous 16 games.

"We're talking about a guy that to me is easily the MVP right now," coach Rick Carlisle told the Mavericks' official website. "I can't really express how great he is and how much he means to this team as a basketball team.

"When he's not on the floor the game changes significantly, even if he's not shooting the ball or not posting up. His mere presence is a game-changer."

The Mavericks had won 17 of their previous 18 with Nowitzki, with their only loss coming in a 103-99 defeat to the Bucks (12-18) on Dec. 13.

Dallas led by as many as 20 points in the first half, but Milwaukee came storming back and went up by as much as nine in the final minutes. Nowitzki finished with 30 points as the Mavericks' 12-game winning streak came to an end.

"They (the Bucks) celebrated on our floor, so we owe them something real good," said center Tyson Chandler, who had 11 points and nine rebounds in the first meeting.

While Dallas is expected to be without its best player, the Bucks will also be without one of their biggest scoring threats.

Brandon Jennings, who had 23 points and 10 assists in the first meeting, is expected to be out at least two more weeks after left foot surgery.

John Salmons has stepped up since Jennings' injury, averaging 18.2 points in his last six games -- 4.6 better than his season mark. Salmons and his teammates, however, had trouble offensively in Tuesday's 90-77 loss to Chicago.

Salmons finished with 18 points but missed 12 of 17 shots, while Andrew Bogut matched a season low with four points on 2-of-12 shooting for the Bucks, who shot a season-low 32.1 percent.

"We've got to be tough on the offensive end," said Salmons, who had five points against the Mavericks in December. "Somehow we've got to figure it out."

The Bucks have struggled offensively all season, ranking last in the league with an average of 90.3 points and in field goal percentage at 41.1, but they still managed to make plays against a defensively solid Dallas team three weeks ago.

Bogut had 21 points and 14 rebounds as Milwaukee placed five players in double-figure scoring and reached the century mark for the second time in the last 19 games.

The Bucks haven't swept a season series from the Mavericks since 2002-03.

left texas · 01-01-2011, 03:32 AM

All right no Dirk for probably the rest of this week! But someone had to step up.

"DALLAS -- All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki plans to travel with the Dallas Mavericks on this weekend's road trip, but it's questionable that he'll play against the Milwaukee Bucks or Cleveland Cavaliers." rest of story

PS Happy New Year Everyone!!

mavs777 · 01-01-2011, 03:55 AM

Time for Jet to find the net and Kidd and Butler to play like they did the other day

Rick41 · 01-01-2011, 06:31 AM

Let's F'ing win!

Go Mavs!!

Kante · 01-01-2011, 09:22 AM

Need this win, Jennings is still out i assume? Didn´t follow what injury he had...

Bogut needs to be defended well from both, Chandler and Haywood!

BGMaverick9 · 01-01-2011, 09:40 AM

It was a major foot injury, so yeah, he's out for several weeks.

41mvp · 01-01-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kante

Need this win, Jennings is still out i assume? Didn´t follow what injury he had...

Bogut needs to be defended well from both, Chandler and Haywood!

If he'll play

12 Tone Melodies · 01-01-2011, 10:00 AM

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Jan. 1, 2011
Dallas @ Milwaukee--Dan Crawford, Curtis Blair, Tony Brothers

Funkman · 01-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Dan Crawford...great....just great.
Go Mavs!!!!

MavsFTR · 01-01-2011, 11:57 AM

Need a W with or without Dirk.

Bayliss · 01-01-2011, 12:19 PM

I don't care if they are without Jennings... this is going to be a tough game with or without Dirk. For some reason Milwaukee has been a hard place to win easily. It has come down to the wire in Milwaukee it seems like every time the Mavs play there.

Bayliss · 01-01-2011, 12:20 PM

Oh and if Dirk plays tonight, I hope he rests it against Cleveland. No reason to play back to back, (IMO). But I imagine the reason why he went is to play at least 1 game n the trip.

BGMaverick9 · 01-01-2011, 12:20 PM

I may be wrong...but this might be the second time in franchise history that the Mavericks have played on New Year's Day.

Game 29 Sat, Jan 1, 1983 a loss to the Nets

41mvp · 01-01-2011, 01:06 PM

We need big win tonight.So c'mon guys I know you can do it!!!
Go Mavs!!!

dude1394 · 01-01-2011, 01:41 PM

the dirkster just wanted to be with the guys even if he doesn't play..

Kante · 01-01-2011, 01:54 PM

Bummer:

Quote:

Both Dirk Nowitzki (right knee) and Shawn Marion (thigh contusion) are out tonight vs. the Bucks.

http://twitter.com/#!/EKS_MavsNBA

b_o_r · 01-01-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

the dirkster just wanted to be with the guys even if he doesn't play..

Injured players for the most part, always travel with the team

Quote:

The Dallas Mavericks will be without two key players tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks . Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion have both been ruled out for tonight's game, leaving the team with two big holes in the lineup.

More details to come.

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archi...arion-won.html

mavs777 · 01-01-2011, 01:57 PM

Hopefully Butler, Stevenson, Terry, and Kidd step up

Kante · 01-01-2011, 01:58 PM

Yeah, 25+ minutes Barea...

Can´t wait!

xrobx · 01-01-2011, 02:00 PM

what the hell is wrong with marion now? is brian cardinal the only power forward on the team?

BGMaverick9 · 01-01-2011, 02:32 PM

This doesn't really have a home but it works for today

Quote:

10 in '11 for the Dallas Mavericks

As my Dallas Mavericks Dancer Calendar, a holiday gift, flips to 2011, there are numerous things I would like to see for the Dallas Mavericks. It's crazy to imagine that the season is almost halfway over but we're nearly there. With this time of the year, the games take a stronger importance, the intensity goes up and the trade deadline looms. The latter creates a sense of uncertainty around the league and the balance of power in the league could be shifted in a new direction.

A team with the 24-7 record with plenty of room for growth is a team in a much better situation, they could be 7-24 with plenty of room for growth. There are quite a few things to look for in 2011 to finish out the season and everyone loves a list. Some of these are realistic, some are silly and maybe all of them have a realistic chance of happening. Either way, these are just a few things I am looking out for.

you can read more at http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2011/1/...llas-mavericks

MavsFTR · 01-01-2011, 02:35 PM

I'm trying to decide if I should watch this game... geez.

Lor20 · 01-01-2011, 02:43 PM

no marion no dirk...that will be a lot of cardinal and aa and mahinmi tonight...

DevinHarriswillstart · 01-01-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lor20

no marion no dirk...that will be a lot of cardinal and aa and mahinmi tonight...

Hey...for those guys who don't like sitting on the bench, now is the time to show you can contribute.

fluid.forty.one · 01-01-2011, 02:53 PM

Mavs need a W here.

MavsFTR · 01-01-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Hey...for those guys who don't like sitting on the bench, now is the time to show you can contribute.

True. They better not fail to impress.

mavs777 · 01-01-2011, 03:34 PM

With Stevenson's slow delivery I can't imagine him getting all the way around to get all the balls up

41mvp · 01-01-2011, 03:58 PM

It's not good time for injury!!!

Dirkules41 · 01-01-2011, 04:28 PM

I dont think i will watch the game tonight, not very confident that we will win!

Underdog · 01-01-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkules41

I dont think i will watch the game tonight, not very confident that we will win!

Pu$$y.

Underdog · 01-01-2011, 04:32 PM

LeftTexas GDT = win

Dirkules41 · 01-01-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Pu$$y.

Have had nearly no sleep last night, game starts 3am our time!

Kante · 01-01-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkules41

Have had nearly no sleep last night, game starts 3am our time!

Same for me, i will be watching, so pu$$y!

LonghornDub · 01-01-2011, 05:36 PM

I ain't worried.

41mvp · 01-01-2011, 06:12 PM

tonight everything is in Butler's hands!!!

41mvp · 01-01-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Pu$$y.

for you it's normal time.But for europeans peoples game time is sometimes too late.But I try watch all Mavs games.Today I will watching

Rick41 · 01-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41mvp

for you it's normal time.But for europeans peoples game time is sometimes too late.But I try watch all Mavs games.Today I will watching

Move to America.

Problem solved.

Kante · 01-01-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick41

Move to America.

Problem solved.

That would mean, better english = 2 problems solved!

Bayliss · 01-01-2011, 08:53 PM

When did Marion hurt his leg? Was it against SA or against Toronto? BG, you have any info on it?

BGMaverick9 · 01-01-2011, 08:55 PM

Nope, I don't. I didn't hear anything from my peeps on when the injury actually occurred.