Mavs 95 Rockets 84

[BGMaverick9]

9x50...Congrats to our Mavs

The offense/tempo worked out well early because they were able to attack early in the shot clock and the offense seemed to be initiated in the middle of the court. It was either Dirk getting a screen in the middle or Barea/Kidd getting in the middle and passing it to an open man. It seemed like once the downswing occurred, that middle wasn't used as much. It got chippy in the 3rd quarter and Dallas got pissed...that was the turning point. They said enough was enough and 14 points went away from the Rockets.

Dirk was rolling big time in the first and once he came back from his rest they lost track of getting him the ball and that led to part of the run from Houston early. It was a pretty darn efficient game for him. 25 games in a row 20+ ppg is great...seems like he can almost do that in his sleep. He looks to be a pretty good groove heading towards the playoffs.

Jet and JJ together REALLY doesn't do anything for me. That was another issue of the first half struggle where Houston started to make their push. JJ was doing a pretty good job of getting into the lane and making the defense collapse. Jet continues to have a mix of ugly moments and What the...YES moments. After the first half Jet kind of disappeared until the end. Then you have to remember, for the longest time Jet seemed to own Houston...3 after 3 after 3 over the years.

Kidd...Triple Double...He definitely hit some well-time shots over the course of the game. That stretch of defense on Artest HAS to get you excited. The whole back and forth bit they had for about 2-3 possessions with the Rockets having the ball was fantastic. I said it at the time, and I still say it...I'll take Kidd over Harris. I love Jason Kidd

Josh was a pretty big no show early. In the first half, he was a non-factor in every sense...he didn't do anything on offense and nothing really on defense...that's pretty hard to do. He finally got some space in the 3rd and was able to cause Houston to get in foul trouble. Getting to the line got him some points and finally seeing the ball go in the basket.

Hollins did a great job with his live body in the 3rd as well. He was using his length to cause problems with help defense and he was quick enough to recover as well.

Damp was really doing a great job early but those fouls really got him in trouble and that also hurt our mojo. He wasn't going to be a factor with points but he did a great job setting screens and making Yao work. His screens were the big thing for me. Houston defenders on Dirk usually get to muscle up on him and make it tough for Dirk. Damp's screens really got Dirk free and he got rolling.

Bass did a WONDERFUL job in the 2nd half on Yao. What effort from him, he really worked hard on fronting him and blocking an entry lane for passes...he was big for us tonight.

What a great stretch to finish the year and build some major momentum into the playoffs. It's been a while since we've played this strong with a lot of heart going into the playoffs...where will it take us? It looks like we won't know who we're facing til later tonight....it doesn't matter, bring them on!!!! It's time for the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!

[nikeball]

yayayayayay

[tgfan]

Never thought I'd be pulling for the Spurs, but they have a 5 pt lead!

[particleman]

GO MAVS!!!

Bring on the Spurs!!

[tgfan]

Never fails. Never let the Spurs get you into overtime.

[twistaeffect2004]

The Mavs are playing the best basketball of the year going into the playoffs. What more can you ask for?

Watching this team grow over the course of this year has given me a ton of heartburn, but also a ton of pride, because this team more than any other in recent history was counted out from the very beginning. Either they were too old, or they were too small... Dirk was getting up there in age or he doesn't have the ability to lead the team. Then they started off slow and it seemed to validate all those opinions. Then the injuries hit and that again validated all the opinions.

Little by little though the Mavs became a unit. They became a team. They finally found their identity, and they grew some brass balls. Everyone knows their role on this team. This team might not win a championship but we all have something to be proud of here. This is a team that literally grew before our eyes throughout the season in more ways than one. Give them credit.

With that said.. keep the good play coming Mavs. You control your destiny. F all the naysayers and F all those who doubt you. Go out there, play with the intensity that you showed down the stretch and hell, who knows... maybe WE'LL be the ones with our hands in the air at the end. This is sports...... anything can happen.

[BGMaverick9]

BRING ON THE SPURS!!

It's on, baby!!

[alby]

hello 6th seed

Dirk with a 30/15 effort
Kidd with a triple double

Finley is still a Mav??

[Zki41]

If Portland wins, they would be 3rd seed over San Antonio - and we beat Portland in the season series right?

[Underdog]

[CadBane]

Originally Posted by Zki41

If Portland wins, they would be 3rd seed over San Antonio - and we beat Portland in the season series right?

False.

[Mavsfan4ever]

Bring on the Spurs baby! We will advance to the second round this year I feel it.

[BGMaverick9]

After all we've been through this year...this is the payoff we wanted for the end of the year. It looked so bad for a while and people lost hope. I can't give up on those guys...like I always say, if you've got #41, you've got a shot.

This team is showing some great heart and poise. They had a major week with big games and they responded just about as well as you could hope. They get a rivalry series now. SA might be playing well, but they're still hurt. It's been years since I can remember Dallas looking like this going into the playoffs. Things are looking up.

[vRookie]

How about these weird facts?
- Mavs started the season 2-7 and finished 7-2
- Kidd had a triple double tonight. He also had a triple double in the last game of last season

[Kirobaito]

Originally Posted by Zki41

If Portland wins, they would be 3rd seed over San Antonio - and we beat Portland in the season series right?

According to http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/matchups, the first tiebreaker is whether you are a division winner, regardless of whether you're in the same division. SA won the division, so they get the 3rd seed regardless of the fact that Portland can end up with 54 wins and won the series against the Spurs 3-1.

[Dtownsfinest]

Wow. Through the game I was pissed. Seemed like the same ol' Mavs. And they were the same ol' Mavs. Then Hollins came into play. Then guys started attacking the basket. Started being aggressive. You can't do this come playoff time. You just can't. And maybe the Mavs won't. Maybe they've just been waiting for the playoffs to come around. But damn it was exciting. JET and Dirk couldn't miss. Josh started playing aggressive. Hollin's was this ball of energy that just ignited the arena and the players.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by vRookie

How about these weird facts?
- Mavs started the season 2-7 and finished 7-2
- Kidd had a triple double tonight. He also had a triple double in the last game of last season

Much rep. I was going to say both those things.

[mkat]

man the best playoff matchup since the last time these two teams played and i don't even get to watch.

[Lor20]

Originally Posted by Zki41

If Portland wins, they would be 3rd seed over San Antonio - and we beat Portland in the season series right?

division leader apparently is the first tiebreaker - not 100% sure about that even though I've read it in a few places. maybe we will find out lter today?

[nowhereman]

How about that intensity. With the exception of a 20 minute stretch against Minnesota, the Mavs have really turned it on over the past 6 games. In the 3rd quarter especially, you knew that they would NOT settle for a jumpshot, and you knew that they would be the first to any loose ball.

[DubOverdose]

What a great night in the NBA. This has easily been the most exciting night that I've experienced based on the number of seeds that were (are) still up for grabs. I'm like a kid at Christmas since I've been saying I wanted the Spurs for a bit now and despite the odds against this matchup happening, the Spurs pulled it out late in the game to tie and then to win in OT.

[nowhereman]

also, you have no idea how much pleasure i take in denying houston a division title.

[Flacolaco]

I never thought I'd be so proud of a team clinching the 6 seed on the final night of the season...but this damn conference is just ridiculous.

9 straight 50 win seasons is really something else. All Dirk, baby.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by DubOverdose

What a great night in the NBA. This has easily been the most exciting night that I've experienced based on the number of seeds that were (are) still up for grabs. I'm like a kid at Christmas since I've been saying I wanted the Spurs for a bit now and despite the odds against this matchup happening, the Spurs pulled it out late in the game to tie and then to win in OT.

I didn't see the Spurs game but I can only imagine watching it for Mavs and Spurs fans. That game looked like it was lost with a minute and something left.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

also, you have no idea how much pleasure i take in denying houston a division title.

And giving one to SA in the process? As much as I'm not fond of the Rockettes, I'd hand-deliver them a division title and shine their shoes before I'd let SA win anything.

[BGMaverick9]

Did Avery say it'd be a miracle or something if we'd make the playoffs this year?

Hey Avery...STFU and try to sell me how your spurs are going to beat us.

....pr!ck

[Lor20]

cleveland didnt get to our 67 win mark nor to the 40-1 at home.
Ihope the mavs are sticking to what they did in the last 18 minutes of the game. Mixing their jumpers with drives instead of just doing one or the other.

[Lor20]

I#m gonna watch Phoenix vs GS now - also known as - who gets 150 first....

[StackAttack]

Why is my life so good right now?

[Thespiralgoeson]

Just got home from the game. That was definitely the most exciting game I've been to this season. BG hit the nail on the head; JJ and Jet are terrible together. Otherwise the Mavs looked great. I'm not sure what they did differently on Yao in the 2nd half, but whatever they did, it worked.

Bring on the Spurs!

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Just got home from the game. That was definitely the most exciting game I've been to this season. BG hit the nail on the head; JJ and Jet are terrible together. Otherwise the Mavs looked great. I'm not sure what they did differently on Yao in the 2nd half, but whatever they did, it worked.

Bring on the Spurs!

Yao has size...no duh, but it's true. Even if Damp is physical, it doesn't take much for him to shoot over Damp and have a clear path. Hollins and Bass clearly can't match up with size but the speed is what got Yao. It happened lots of times in the past...like Najera (throwback!). Guys with speed can give Yao a fit because they can front him and they don't feel 100% comfortable giving that entry pass in to him.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Did Avery say it'd be a miracle or something if we'd make the playoffs this year?

Hey Avery...STFU and try to sell me how your spurs are going to beat us.

....pr!ck

That was the rumor but he actually said he didn't think we'd be a title contender without a roster overhaul.

[monty55555]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Kidd...Triple Double...He definitely hit some well-time shots over the course of the game. That stretch of defense on Artest HAS to get you excited. The whole back and forth bit they had for about 2-3 possessions with the Rockets having the ball was fantastic. I said it at the time, and I still say it...I'll take Kidd over Harris. I love Jason Kidd

Excellent recap BG! I just wanted to highlight what you said about Kidd's defense tonight. It was phenomenal. His defensive stance really showed his strength. He really had a great game. His only flaw for tonight was that he had a couple of turnovers in the early part of the game. However, in the second half, when it mattered the most, his savvy play, unparalleled basketball IQ and will to win just really stood out. Way to go JKidd.

Of course, credit goes to Dirk who was spectacular throughout the game. He really shot well and was very active on both ends of the court. JET was terrible in the first half but he really took over during crunch time. He is so clutch, just like Dirk. Josh had a miserable game in the first half. It was great to see him step up big time in the second half. I loved the way he continued to drive to the basket. He played great defense as well.

Among the subs, I have to give credit to Hollins. Wow, that guy is instant energy. He really was also instrumental in the turnaround in the 3rd quarter. He was decent on defense and his energy and hustle really helped the Mavs overcome that 14 point lead. I hope he gets more playing time. He deserves it. Bass also had a few good plays down the stretch.

Overall, a great win for our Mavs. They worked hard, they persevered, and they showed a lot of heart.

[DirkFTW]

YEA BABY YEA!

[jthig32]

I got the company tickets to the game tonight at the very last minute. The house was hopping, and I was surrounded by loud Rocket fans. That fourth quarter was SWEET.

When Hollins thew that dunk down with an and-1 the place went nuts. Down the stetch I yelled myself hoarse.

Goodness Dirk was going nuts in the first. As BG noted, they really went away from him in the second which was frustrating.

Bring on the freaking Spurs.

[fluid.forty.one]

9x50!!!!!!!!

BRING IT ON, SPURS!

[Dirkadirkastan]

Everything is still going wrong for the Rockets tonight. If it keeps up, they'll be heading off to Portland.

[LonghornDub]

Instead of hating the Spurs, I think I'm going to start just not acknowledging anything they do or anything about them. It'll be like they don't exist. Should be very pleasant.

[BGMaverick9]

I literally can't stop watching the 5 minute left mark in the game. 80-80, Houston scored twice and Carlisle calls a TO. It's a do or die moment, momentum is there for whoever wants it.

He's been brilliant this year with calling plays out of timeouts, and he calls a motion set to get guys moving around and get defenders lost to where Kidd can loft a pass to Jet on the baseline for a jumper. They get a stop on Yao and they bring it up and Josh is guarded by Battier and he shows a drive and he's been killing them in the 2nd half with it so a 2nd defender comes. He passes to Dirk and brings attention and passes to Kidd for an open 3 but misses. Bass hustles to steal the board from Yao and fights off 3 Rockets and dishes to Dirk who dishes to Jet for an open 3 and he runs back with a huge grin and the crowd roars.

I can't stop watching it because every single person on the court did the right thing and they all worked together and never looked back after that moment. That stuff gets me revved up.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Everything is still going wrong for the Rockets tonight. If it keeps up, they'll be heading off to Portland.

They'll probably lose to Portland. That's one of the few teams I could actually see Portland winning against in a first round series. Poor Houston...blah.