Official Mavs @ Seattle, April 10th gameday thread

[EricaLubarsky]

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Mavs Game Preview from http://www.nba.com
By Matt Pinto, Mavericks television play-by-play announcer


April 10th, 2004
The Mavericks completed a truly remarkable home stand and home roll Thursday by dismantling playoff hopeful Utah 117-94 for their sixth straight triumph and five game sweep on their home floor. Now the road calls! Three of Dallas' final four regular season games will be played away from the friendly confines of American Airlines Center, beginning with Saturday's (April 10 at 2:30pm CT) matinee in Seattle. Following that collision with the Supersonics, the Mavs have Golden State in Oakland on Sunday and will conclude the season next Wednesday in Houston. Their lone remaining home game will be a biggie Tuesday versus Memphis in what could amount to a winner take all for the fifth seed in the West heading to the playoffs.

Congratulations are certainly in order for Don Nelson's '03-'04 squad as they've hit the magic 50 win mark at 50-28 and have tied the franchise record for home court regular season wins at 35. They'll have an opportunity to set a new home standard Tuesday night against the Grizzlies. But now to the order of business at hand, which is to find a way to duplicate recent home exploits and offensive explosiveness on the road to continue building momentum heading into the post season.

This will be the second meeting between the Mavericks and Sonics in five days. Dallas outscored Seattle Tuesday night 118-108 thanks to 55% shooting as a team, six players scoring in double digits led by Michael Finley's 24. The Mavs are 3-0 versus the Sonics this season, including a thrilling 118-116 buzzer beater at Key Arena on January 27. None of the previous three encounters has been easily won, but given what's on the line down the stretch for Dallas one figures it should be able to find a way to complete the four game season series sweep against a Seattle team that's been eliminated from playoff consideration, sits 35-44 overall having lost six of its last seven games.


luke ridnour

The other factor that logic indicates would tilt in the Mavericks favor is the fact that the Supersonics will use this game (as well as their final three overall) to experiment. Rookie point guard Luke Ridnour will start the final three in an open audition. Is he capable of running a NBA offense for an extended period of time as a starter? That question has no answer at present, but will shortly. If Ridnour rises to the challenge and plays lights out, that will hurt the Mavs as he's an unknown in this role. Hard to imagine that happening given his competition in this setting (Steve Nash).

Sonics starting power forward Reggie Evans is expected to miss this game while attending his grandmother's funeral in Florida, which will insert Ansu Sesay into the starting line-up. Sesay did major damage against the Mavs Tuesday night with a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double spelling the injured Rashard Lewis. Lewis is expected back from the hip and knee injury he suffered versus the Mavericks Tuesday night.


Steve Nash

What it all means is that Seattle will present the Mavericks with a more athletic starting five that, although young, figures to be very hungry on this stage. Ridnour will go head to head against Nash. Should be decisive edge-Dallas. Steve enjoys playing in Seattle as it's the closest stop to home since Vancouver lost its franchise to Memphis. Nash grew up a couple of hours north of Seattle in Victoria, British Columbia. He's played at an extraordinary level lately and could be the guy that pushes this team through on this road trip.


Rashard Lewis

Michael Finley suffered bruised ribs thanks to an elbow from Tom Gugliotta in Thursday's rout of Utah. He's expected to be ready to go here, but who knows how this ailment will impact his performance. <u>Fin's opposite number at the shooting guard spot is Sonics four-time All-Star Ray Allen. Chasing Allen off the multiple screens that are set for him on virtually every offensive set may too tall an order for Finley here</u>, Marquis Daniels may be asked to take that defensive assignment. Which would leave Fin to deal with Rashard Lewis, who will also be playing through injury.


Antoine Walker

Up front, Antoine Walker will draw the active Sesay. The key in that match-up will be 'Toine's ability to keep Sesay quiet on the offensive boards. He had SIX offensive rebounds in Dallas Tuesday night. Finally, starting center Vitaly Potapenko will have the unenviable task of chasing Dirk Nowitzki around outside. Good Luck! Nowitzki dropped a career high 43 points on the Sonics at Key Arena earlier this season. He's really elevated his game down the stretch and should have another highly productive afternoon here.


Josh Howard

Off the bench, Josh Howard and Antawn Jamison will continue to receive big minutes for the Mavericks, with Shawn Bradley, Scott Williams and Eduardo Najera sprinkled in to provide support in the middle defensively. Seattle will come with Flip Murray, Brent Barry, Calvin Booth and newly signed Leon Smith. Smith, ex of the Mavs, is expected to receive considerable playing time down the stretch for Seattle as the Sonics evaluate his abilities to contribute on this level with an eye on the future.

The Sonics identity involves spreading out opposing defenses and peppering them with three point shots. They lead the NBA in threes made and attempted, while sitting second in long range accuracy. Dallas must again make a point to get back on defense, identify shooters and contest shots. If the Mavs bring the proper emphasis in those areas they should escape Key Arena with their season sweep of Seattle and their seventh consecutive win overall. The Mavericks will score plenty against the Sonics, the key will be to keep Seattle from going crazy on their home floor offensively

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We need this game. With Sacramento's continued struggles and loss versus the Suns, I wouldnt be surprised if they fell from 1st to 4th by Monday. The 5th spot suddenly seems even more important.

It sounds like the Sonics are playing kids. I'd like to see our kids play theirs. Howard and Daniels should have a lot of fun.

Isnt Finley the starting 3 now? Wouldn't Daniels naturally have to defend Allen?