WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013 7:30 CT - American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

[SMC0007]

Kings-Mavericks Preview

By JEFF BARTL

Posted Feb 13 2013 1:21AM

Turning in more lackluster performances resembling their latest one might result in the Dallas Mavericks growing their beards into the off season.
Facing the visiting Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night could get them closer to busting out their razors.

Dallas seeks an 18th straight regular-season home win and third overall this season versus Sacramento, which has lost five straight on the road.
Vince Carter, O.J. Mayo and Dirk Nowitzki are just a few of the Mavericks (22-29) who have vowed not to shave until the team reaches the .500 mark, which seems a long way off considering their effort in Monday's 105-101 home loss to Atlanta.

Dallas will head into the All-Star break needing to make up plenty of ground to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
"It just makes it tougher in the second half," Carter said. "We have to keep going, we have to win the next one. It's important for us to look at the next game and not look too far ahead."

Carter's beard, though, is in need of a trim that it might not see for quite awhile. Nowitzki scored a team-high 24 points and Mayo added 19 on Monday, and each is sporting plenty of facial hair.

Carter said they all believe the Mavericks can reach their goal.
"Guys are confident. That's why we came together on the whole beard thing," Carter said. "It's because we still believe, and that's kind of bringing each other together and holding each other accountable. We still have an opportunity in the second part of the season."

Coach Rick Carlisle wants to see improvement before then.
"We have one opportunity here before the break (to improve), so it's an important game," Carlisle said. "It's all about us playing better to trend upward as a team. We're all going to have to work hard and dig in. I still believe we can do it."
Dallas seemingly has a good chance to get back on track by knocking off a Kings team it has beaten 13 of the last 14 times. Mayo scored 19 points in a 119-96 home win over Sacramento on Dec. 10, then netted 24 while Carter added 23 as the Mavericks came from 17 down in a 117-112 overtime road victory Jan. 10.

December's blowout in Dallas was hardly a rarity when the Kings are in town. The Mavs have outscored Sacramento by an average of 14.8 points in their lengthy home regular-season series winning streak.

The Kings (19-34), though, had won two straight prior to Tuesday's 108-101 loss at Memphis, and Carlisle believes his team is in for a touch matchup.
"They're coming off two games where they beat Utah and Houston - two playoff teams above us," Carlisle said, "They're playing well, so we're going to have to do better."

DeMarcus Cousins scored 23 points Tuesday and is averaging 26.3 in his last three versus the Mavericks. Sacramento, though, dropped to 5-22 on the road this season and is averaging just 86.8 points and shooting 41.3 percent during its five-game road skid.

"When you get a chance on the road to close the gap and get the game in your favor, you've got to take that," coach Keith Smart said. "I thought these guys deserved to win the game based off how they performed."

Smart said the Kings need to improve their transition defense, though, as they allowed 28 fast-break points Tuesday. They've given up an average of 109.2 points with opponents shooting 52.0 percent over their last five.

[SMC0007]

Threadit plz. That's what I get for trying to do good and save someone else the trouble.

[j0Shi]

As Mavs trying to avoid another slow start, here are some numbers on the issue:

- our starting units get outscored by -13.08 PP100 so far on 108.98 D-rating, both league-worst values
- essence of the problem is backcourt 'D': Collison/Mayo allowing 108.75 (46.50% FG, 45.55 in the paint), Roddy/Carter 103.66 (47.76%, 42.68), Roddy/Mayo 95.42 (40.69%, 32.82), Roddy/DaJo 92.63 (40.83%, 27.65)

[DGM]

the issue is defense. mavs got in the hole vs. hawks because collison could not stop hawks pg. roddy is a much better defender than collison. somehow he is on rc's crap list and there is no way he will give him a start. he is also better at feeding dirk than collison. i would like to see him in a start (although rc would probably go with m james before trying that).

[j0Shi]

Originally Posted by DGM

the issue is defense. mavs got in the hole vs. hawks because collison could not stop hawks pg. roddy is a much better defender than collison. somehow he is on rc's crap list and there is no way he will give him a start. he is also better at feeding dirk than collison. i would like to see him in a start (although rc would probably go with m james before trying that).

Roddys numbers look better, but can't discount that Collison plays vs. other teams starters most of the time, Roddy does not. Roddy vs. other teams starters also produces better numbers, but the sample size is just not there (23 minutes or so).

[LSMF]

Im guessing this is the game thread?

[Rick41]

Lol, forgot to include the matchup.

[DGM]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

Roddys numbers look better, but can't discount that Collison plays vs. other teams starters most of the time, Roddy does not. Roddy vs. other teams starters also produces better numbers, but the sample size is just not there (23 minutes or so).

that's the point. he can't stop opposing starting pgs.

[Rick41]

If this game is close late, OJ Mayo turns the ball over and costs us the game.

[DGM]

yes!!

[Bayliss]

Most active Dirk has been defensively all year...

[LSMF]

Collison is making some good decisions early on...

[j0Shi]

HEY WE LOOK GOOD!

It's the Kings though

[Bayliss]

I agree Rick.

[j0Shi]

Vince with a floater? Nice.

[DGM]

dirk looks like the real dirk

[Rick41]

Like i've said, this team would be much better if they would be able to hit open jumpers.

[Bayliss]

Ugh. Grab the rebound.

[Bayliss]

Someone needs to gif Dontay throwing the ball to Dirk.....

[Rick41]

Dammit Dirk you're not a PG, pass it off in the back court.

[LSMF]

Good start, Mavs.

[LSMF]

Why is James Johnson scoring so much?

[Rick41]

Originally Posted by LSMF

Why is James Johnson scoring so much?

Because he ate in the media dining room before the game.

[DGM]

who can collison guard?

[LSMF]

Wright is a baby in the paint.

[b_o_r]

Originally Posted by Rick41

Because he ate in the media dining room before the game.

Remember when he was a skinny SG/SF for the Toronto Raptors?

[LSMF]

Collison continuing to make good plays. Keep it up, DC.

[Bayliss]

Dirk looks good tonight. So fluid.

[NorwegianMavsFan]

Collison has been playing at a really high level lately. Seems like a lot of people gave up on him, and haven´t really noticed how he has elevated his game the last month. 12p 7ast 1st half, with no TOs, is pretty decent.

[Rick41]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Dirk looks good tonight. So fluid.

Finally.

[Rick41]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

Remember when he was a skinny SG/SF for the Toronto Raptors?

Seems so long ago.

Looks like he's been eating in one too many media dining rooms. /boom, Skin.

[NorwegianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by Rick41

Looks like he's been eating in one too many media dining rooms. /boom, Skin.

Or he´s been eating whatever Hedo ate

[Rick41]

There go the Mavs playing like a bunch of douchers again.

I can never be comfortable with any lead with this years team.

[LSMF]

Come on Mavs, step it up.

[LSMF]

VC!

[LSMF]

Crowder...*sighs*

[LSMF]

VC is KILLING them.

[Rick41]

Vincent is on fire.

[some1nw]

3s are rainin

[LSMF]

Dirk 3!#Lawler'sLaw