Washington @ Dallas Gameday Thread

[akaarod03]

The Wizards got blasted by the Spurs yesterday. It's the second of a back-to-back for Washington. Larry Hughes, their emerging young guard, will not play. Nonetheless, the Wizards are extremely talented. I hope Dallas does not take them lightly. If the Mavs can get off to a good start in tonight's ballgame...I think Dallas can come out of the American Airlines Center with a win. Go Mavs!

91-83 Mavs

[DubOverdose]

I'm so tempted to try to get free tickets in the Cingular Express Yourself section. Hmmm. I like the Dirk v. Jamison matchup along with Arenas v. Terry/Harris...Howard can guard either Jamison or Arenas, Hughes is out. Mavs should sweep the series tomorrow.

[EricaLubarsky]

I was going to start this one, but I got beaten to the punch. Here's what I had....

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Matt Pinto's Game Preview
Bust out those polyester suits and platform shoes, Tuesday night (January 18 at 7:30pm CT) is a Hardwood Classics throw-back night at American Airlines Center as the 23-12 Mavericks collide with the Eastern Conference’s best offensive team, the young, upstart Washington Wizards.

These two offenses could well bring flashbacks to wide-open ‘80’s style basketball if their first meeting November 14 was any indication of what this one will be all about. It took 52% Mavs field goal shooting, including 12-19 from three-point range, to escape the MCI Center with a 122-113 triumph. The promise of a back and forth scoring fest will be a welcome site after Saturday’s tedious five point victory over offensively challenged New Jersey. But that was a game that Dallas had to have after dropping two tough ones in succession.

The big question entering the second and final meeting with the Wiz is will Dallas’ top defender Josh Howard be back in the starting line-up? There is no definitive answer at the moment. If he’s got his wind and some strength back, after last week’s bout with an upper respiratory infection, he’ll play. But his status won’t become crystal clear until close to game time.



Larry Hughes
Washington, the hottest team in the league, winner of seven straight entering its Monday match-up with the Spurs in San Antonio, will be without multi-talented Larry Hughes due to a right thumb fracture that he suffered in Saturday’s come from behind victory over Phoenix. His loss is considerable. He was the league’s only player averaging more than 21ppg, 5rpg, 5apg and 2.5 steals per game when he went down. He was leading the league in steals (2.9 per game) and has long been a Mavericks killer at the offensive end of the floor. His replacement will be up and down third year pro Juan Dixon.

Even in Hughes absence, the Wizards possess scary fire power. Ex-Mav Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, Dixon, Brendan Haywood and Jared Jeffries comprise Washington’s starting five. All five are young, lively and hungry. The Wizards are playing the best team ball seen in the nation’s capital since the late ‘70’s. They’re the only Eastern Conference team averaging more than 100ppg (102.0 in fact). This will be quite a challenge for the Mavericks on their home floor.



Michael Finley
Let’s get to the individual match-ups. Due to Arenas’ size (6-3) at the point, Don Nelson may opt to start Michael Finley against him and move Jason Terry over to stick smaller Juan Dixon. Arenas is a score first point guard, who’s averaging a team high 23ppg, while dishing out less than 5apg. He has unlimited range (hitting 37.5% of his 212 three pointers tried) and is strong and quick to the basket. Fin will have his hands full with this defensive assignment.



Juan Dixon
Dixon’s a streaky scorer, who’s been a 7ppg scorer in a reserve role this season. But the night that Hughes was lost, Juan ignited a comeback spark with a bust-out 26 point performance against the Suns. He’s a sneaky defender, who is fearless offensively. His battle with Terry will feature quick on quick.



Antawn Jamison
If Josh Howard’s able to play, he’ll draw Antawn Jamison defensively. Jamison, the league’s sixth man of the year in Dallas last season, is back as a fixture in the Wizards starting line-up averaging 20ppg and 8.6rpg. His herky jerky offensive game creates problems, because he’s adept around the rim and from some distance on the floor offensively. Howard must primarily focus on keeping Jamison quiet on the offensive boards, where he can be a menace.



Dirk Nowitzki
Up front, Dirk Nowitzki squares off with Jeffries at power forward. Although Nowitzki wore the Wizards defense out with a 32 point, 13 rebound showing in mid-November. I’m not so sure that things will come that easily here for him. Jeffries is an athletic defender, who’s a lively offensive rebounder. This will an interesting individual match-up to watch. It’ll be fun to see Dirk hit the 10,000 point scoring milestone in this game and that should happen quickly, as he enters the game two points away from becoming the fifth Mav to achieve 10-grand in career points.

Erick Dampier struggled mightily with Brendan Haywood in the earlier confrontation. Haywood used his combination of strength and tenacity to ring up 20 points, pull down 9 rebounds (5 of which were offensive) and block 4 shots. Damp’s sore left knee will be tested in this game by Haywood’s sheer hustle. If Haywood dominates the center spot as he did in Washington DC, that may not bode well for the Mavericks chances of victory.

Off the bench, Washington relies on former Maverick Etan Thomas for muscle inside, Jarvis Hayes, Laron Profit and Anthony Peeler for perimeter punch. The Wizards are without Kwame Brown due to right ankle tendinitis. Their corps of reserves is diminished by the fact that Juan Dixon will start in place of Larry Hughes, but this outfit is also athletic and feisty.

Although Washington yields 100ppg on 46% shooting defensively, it fuels its own offense by forcing an average of 17 turnovers a game with its defensive athleticism. The Mavericks guards must do a good job of protecting the ball in this game. If they’re able to do that they should have success running Dallas’ offense in half court sets. The Wizards tend to gamble at the defensive end of the floor and when they get beaten, they get beaten badly.

Howard’s status is critical in this game. The Mavericks desperately need his length, skill and nose for loose balls defensively. He’s smart and scrappy enough to battle Jamison at the small forward spot, while providing help on the anticipated dribble penetration of Arenas and Dixon and Brendan Haywood’s strong post ups. The Mavs will be under the gun if he’s unable to go.

Jerry Stackhouse, the ex-Wizard, will again be motivated to do his thing against Washington. He’d love to duplicate the 28 point performance that he unleashed against the Wiz earlier this season. His scoring could well be a decisive X-factor in this game, if Dallas can do an effective job of keeping Washington quiet on the offensive boards, protect the ball to negate the Wizards ball-hawking defensive tendencies and make a high percentage of the expected open looks at the basket. This one could be a high scoring thriller, appropriately reminiscent of some of the hardwood classics of the ‘80’s.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[u2sarajevo]

Dirk looks out of shape EL. But no matter, with Hughes out this should be a no-brainer of a win. That probably means we struggle.... but I don't think so.

Mavs in a double digit win.

[#41]

Easy one, 123-105. Terry 29, Finley 31, Dirk 20+16

[nowitzki_prophecy]

Easy one, 123-105. Terry 29, Finley 31, Dirk 20+16

If we allow Washington 105 points at home,without larry hughes,than are defense hasn't made any improvment since last year.

Mavs win it 117-98.

[V2M]

That's the first picture of Dirk, I've seen, in a suit. Jamison looks at least 6" inches shorter.

I was hoping for a closer game last night for the Wizards so the starters would all be tired out. But seems like they got enough rest now. To erase the bad taste from last night, I expect them to come out shooting lights out. Hopefully, a well-rested and a much more talented Mavs team just takes care of business at home.

[rakesh.s]

Originally posted by: V2M
That's the first picture of Dirk, I've seen, in a suit. Jamison looks at least 6" inches shorter.

I do hope you realize that it was photoshopped...just look at jason terry..he looks like the guys in nba jam when you use the big heads code

and yes, jamison looks to be about 6'7..he only seemed to be as tall as finley when he was in dallas..but that could have something to do with him hunching his back

[AnMan21]

mavs should get the win here tonight - i read in the morning news that howard is expected to go. he'll probably see limited minutes, but if he can play his style when he sees action, that should be enough spark for the mavs defensively to follow suit. mavs: 103 wiz: 90

[Quetzalcoatl]

The Wizards are in a back to back game, although the blowout loss against the Spurs gave their starters a rest. Besides this, Larry Hughes will not play. The Mavericks must win.

I know Howard will play, but what about Dampier? I read he is doubt. Do you know anything about it?

[vinnieponte]

They're tired from that hell of a loss, and they lost one of their best score's, never the less they're a very talented team with alot to prove. If the Mavs take control early they should pull out a win, but they shouldn't under estimate them.

Mavs 104

Wizards 92

[vinnieponte]

First basket Dirk makes will give him his 10,000 point!

[jayC]

Dirk goes for his usual 26 points and 10 boards. Terry comes alive with 30 points especially since he is the only player in the league with but credit Dallas' Jason Terry for this: Terry, at week's end, was the only player in the league shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line and 80 percent from the free-throw line. (Stein line.)

[EricaLubarsky]

Terry, at week's end, was the only player in the league shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line and 80 percent from the free-throw line. (Stein line.)

well we have the efficient shooting of a point guard down. Now we just need to see more penetration.

[sike]

Mavs by 7

[bgantz]

i say we feed cal booth the ball early to shock the wizards and sulk away the victory.
booth = 49 pts, 26 rbds, 13 asst.

[G-Man]

Hey Erica.What happened to your cute photo? Now you just look smart. But we could already tell that from your words. Keep on writin' 'em.

[ames7]

Aw, return of Jamison. One of few guys we traded away I genuinely was sad to see go. I'm glad he & the Wiz are doing well, but I'm also glad to see the Mavs aren't taking them lightly.

Let's go Mavs.

[DubOverdose]

Dirk is wearing a headband!!! HAHAHA!

[Mandyahl]

jho is baaack!!

is dirk really wearing a headband?? damn, i am gonna have to see some pictures of this...

[Mandyahl]

what are the matchups on defense for us?

[Bookit]

Welocme back Josh!

[Bayliss]

Dirk looks ugly with that headbad. Someone needs to tell hm that a headband has got to be medium trhickness. That is way too big.

[Bayliss]

Wonder if the Mavs are going to use Dirk tonight.

[Murphy3]

Tap the breaks just a bit Fin..

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: Bayliss
Wonder if the Mavs are going to use Dirk tonight.

It's an ongoing bit for the Mavs....use Dirk when they must have him instead of utilizing him early in games. But at least the Mavs are on fire tonight. Usually there's no excuse.

[endtroducing]

again: Jason Terry is the man.

[DubOverdose]

Dirk is being used on offense as much as Bradley= not at all. The good news is the Mavs are ahead 32-18. This game has had some great passes by the Mavs, great steals by the Mavs, and a nice move by Stackhouse that led to a dunk.

[Kenny_01]

JT is kicking some serious ass.

[Murphy3]

Stack, give the damn ball up.
I swear..you're a freaking idiot at times.

[Mandyahl]

40-20 at the end of one...not too shabby.

[endtroducing]

7 min 3-3 from the floor 10 points....what an idiot

[DubOverdose]

Originally posted by: endtroducing
7 min 3-3 from the floor 10 points....what an idiot

I think he's played well so far too. While he isn't passing a lot really, he's playing aggresive and strong.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: endtroducing
7 min 3-3 from the floor 10 points....what an idiot

What's your point? Yes, I know that he's had a nice start but the guy made a poor decision. It worked out ok, but once again..what's your point?

I didn't say that he's not playing well in this game. I mentioned that he makes boneheaded decisions at times. Can you get it through your head that there's a rather large difference between what I'm saying and the point you're trying to make with your statement about his stat line?

Read what I'm saying.

[MavsFanFinley]

Mavs lead 40-20 after 1st quarter:

Howard (7) 2-2, 3-3, 7pts, 1rb

Dirk (12) 1-3, 0-1, 2pts, 3rbs, 1as, 1to, 2stls

Dampier (7) 1-2, 2-2, 4pts, 1rb, 1as

Finley (9) 4-10, 3-4, 11pts, 1as

Terry (12) 2-2, 4pts, 2rbs, 4as, 3stls

Stackhouse (7) 3-3, 1-1, 3-4, 10pts, 1as

Bradley (5) 1-1, 2pts, 2rbs

Henderson (1) 1rb

[endtroducing]

Stackhouse has constantly been your scapegoat this season...believe it or not, he is not the cause of all the problems on this team. I'm tired of his name getting drug through the ground CONSTANTLY. he does his best to help the team, and he could be bitching and complaining...or he could be playing like Walker.

[Bayliss]

Dirk's pretty active defensively tonight.

[grndmstr_c]

Stack has often been something less than ideal as a decision maker, but you gotta give credit where it's due. Last five games coming into tonight he's averaging better than 17 per on 55% true shooting and keeping his TO's down in the range of 2 per game. If he can hold form close to this I'll happily live with his less disciplined moments for the good he's doing otherwise.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: endtroducing
Stackhouse has constantly been your scapegoat this season...believe it or not, he is not the cause of all the problems on this team. I'm tired of his name getting drug through the ground CONSTANTLY. he does his best to help the team, and he could be bitching and complaining...or he could be playing like Walker.

Stackhouse has not 'constantly' been my scapegoat. Stack has probably garnered less of my ire this season than someone such as Marquis Daniels. I'm constantly riding him for his poor decision making.
Yet, I make one comment concerning Stack and you throw out b.s. about him being my 'scapegoat'. Comical...

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
Stack has often been something less than ideal as a decision maker, but you gotta give credit where it's due. Last five games coming into tonight he's averaging better than 17 per on 55% true shooting and keeping his TO's down in the range of 2 per game. If he can hold form close to this I'll happily live with his less disciplined moments for the good he's doing otherwise.

I have no problem with saying that Stack has been playing well. However, I have no problem with saying that he's a 'less than ideal decision maker'.

However, it's difficult to like his sub 40% shooting from the field and his sub 28% shooting from beyond the arc. However, the 5.7 FTA's per game are nice.