Looking Ahead

[aexchange]

Thought I'd do some looking ahead at the Mavs schedule. I think the next 20 games or so are going to be a period where the Mavs can put some distance between themselves and the Spurs, if we play at our current level. Looking at the schedule, I'd be really disappointed if we lost anymore than 5 or 6 games.

Some interesting things to note. During this stretch of games, 4 back to backs. The 4 games in 5 nights with Portland, Minny, Denver, and Minny again is going to wear on the guys. How AJ manages the rotation during this stretch will be critical. If the Mavs are serious about making a run at the Division title, this period of time between now and the end of February could be the make or break period for them.

Golden State (12/30)
@ New Orleans (12/31)
Portland (1/3)
@ Minnesota (1/4)
Denver (1/6)
Minnesota (1/7)
Boston (1/9)
New York (1/11)
New Jersey (1/14)
Milwaukee (1/16)
@ Houston (1/18)
@ Clippers (1/20)
@ Portland (1/22)
@ Golden State (1/25)
@ Seattle (1/26)
Utah (1/28)
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

Thoughts?

[dude1394]

It looks like the beatable parts of the schedules for sure. Unfortunately 2 of the away games are b-b where we'll be traveling away. The memphis one looks salty, denver not so much, they are imploding.

It would be interesting to do the same for the spurs to see how they will fare.

[aexchange]

Originally Posted by dude1394

It looks like the beatable parts of the schedules for sure. Unfortunately 2 of the away games are b-b where we'll be traveling away. The memphis one looks salty, denver not so much, they are imploding.

It would be interesting to do the same for the spurs to see how they will fare.

Looking at the Spurs schedule thru February as well, I think it looks fairly beatable for them. They do have a pretty long road trip from the end of January into the middle of February that hopefully gives the Mavs a little ground. But for the most part, it still looks pretty beatable. The New Jersey/Indiana/Cleveland/Philly 4 game swing could see them lose 2 or 3 games out of those 4. The Spurs also have a rough stretch from 1/7 to 1/22 playing Phoenix, New Jsersey, Detroit, Memphis 2X, Milwaukee, and Miami.

12/29 NO/Okla. City
12/31 @ Denver
1/4 Portland
1/6 Minnesota
1/7 @ Phoenix
1/10 New Jersey
1/12 Detroit
1/14 Memphis
1/16 @ Memphis
1/18 Milwaukee
1/20 @ Miami
1/22 Denver
1/24 Charlotte
1/25 @ NO/Okla.
1/28 Minnesota
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[dude1394]

Yea this stretch looks pretty salty..
1/6 Minnesota
1/7 @ Phoenix
1/10 New Jersey
1/12 Detroit
1/14 Memphis
1/16 @ Memphis
1/18 Milwaukee
1/20 @ Miami

Also this is a bear of a road trip I must admit. The UTAH, Portland, GoldenState 3 in 4 and all involving travel will be pretty tough.
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis

[HexNBA]

Yeah, looking at that list I agree it would be disappointing if they lost more than 5 games. Minnesota at 1/7 will probably be one such game, and one of the Clippers game, maybe the Lakers (again ), and a random game against Utah or Memphis. All of those Eastern Conference teams we should beat. Looking at the Spurs schedule, it isn't exactly tough either, but lots of every other day games, which might break them up again (though they do have Manu back now) but otherwise I dont see them losing a whole lot more than 5 either.

[MavsFanFinley]

A note about the Spurs. Ginobli returned against the Pacers and played 13 minutes. He looked good and he had no problems with the foot the next day. While he said he's not ready for 30 minutes yet he's just glad to be out there and to be able to work on his conditioning and rhythm. I only mention this because if he stays healthy they might not have as difficult a time with that schedule as they would have without him.

[sike]

what happend to one game at a time

I agree though...it appears that this part of the schedule is totally beatable.

[u2sarajevo]

Can someone explain to me why every time we play Minnesota it's on the second night of a b2b?

edit: scratch that..... we played them in December not in a b2b. But it seems like the last 2 years prior to this one every game against Minnesota was the 2nd night of a back to back. And another one is coming next week....

[MikeB]

The NBA schedule makers want to give "the Big Ticket" every advantage since Dirk usually roasts him.

[DubOverdose]

This is the NBA, stuff changed day by day. Any of the teams we will be playing could swing a huge deal, could pick up Ron Arrest, who knows. Injuries come and go, teams go on streaks. Let's take it one game at a time, because its impossible to predict how we will perform over a 20 game stretch.

[kg_veteran]

Great thread, aex.

I have the Mavs going 23-5 or 24-4, with the Spurs going something like 19-8 or 20-7. At a minimum, I think the Mavs need to pick up 3 games during this stretch.

[greensborohill]

Golden State (12/30) W
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) W
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) L
Boston (1/9) W
New York (1/11) W
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) L
@ Houston (1/18) W
@ Clippers (1/20) W
@ Portland (1/22) W
@ Golden State (1/25) W
@ Seattle (1/26) W
Utah (1/28) W
Chicago (1/31) W
@ Memphis (2/1) L
Seattle (2/4) W
Lakers (2/7) W
Miami (2/9) W
@ Denver (2/10) L
New York (2/13) W
Washington (2/15) W
Clippers (2/21) L
Memphis (2/23) W
Toronto (2/25) W
Philadelphia (2/27) W

23-5, which woulds put us @ 44-12 .786. . . . a little optomistic, but I'm a homer. .

there's a nice little 7 game streak in there. .

[TVI]

Originally Posted by MikeB

The NBA schedule makers want to give "the Big Ticket" every advantage since Dirk usually roasts him.

The T-Wolves will also be on the second night of a b2b (Spurs 1/6), so that's no favor to Garnett & co.

The Wolves have the Mavs on 1/4, the Spurs on 1/6, and the Mavs on 1/7. You think they see that as a scheduling advantage?

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by DubOverdose

This is the NBA, stuff changed day by day. Any of the teams we will be playing could swing a huge deal, could pick up Ron Arrest, who knows. Injuries come and go, teams go on streaks. Let's take it one game at a time, because its impossible to predict how we will perform over a 20 game stretch.

Dub is right. Anything can happen, to any team. Rookies grow up, guys finally buy into a system and go on a run. Teams like the Clips and Warriors now have enough talent to chalenge, if they lcome together. Mavs need to keep their noses to the grindstone and win one at a time. They have a lot to work on, like perimeter D and consistancy. If they do what they need to do, the wins will take care of themselves. The main thing now is working on weaknesses, to be ready to stop Nash and Amare, Yao and TMac, Parker and Manu, when the real season starts in May.

[dude1394]

Mavs take it one game at a time, fans look way ahead and knee-jerk... We are just doing out jobs.

[MavsFanFinley]

It might be fun to keep track of this bit of schedule. So far the Mavs lose a game they should have won and the Spurs win a game they should have.

~Dallas~

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)
New York (1/11)
New Jersey (1/14)
Milwaukee (1/16)
@ Houston (1/18)
@ Clippers (1/20)
@ Portland (1/22)
@ Golden State (1/25)
@ Seattle (1/26)
Utah (1/28)
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

~Spurs~

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New Jersey
1/12 Detroit
1/14 Memphis
1/16 @ Memphis
1/18 Milwaukee
1/20 @ Miami
1/22 Denver
1/24 Charlotte
1/25 @ NO/Okla.
1/28 Minnesota
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[MavsFanFinley]

bump

[dude1394]

Not working out like we'd hoped. Getting stack back has actually been a problem.

[dalmations202]

This thread was a jinx. Someone lock it up.........

[jayC]

New Orleans has beaten some good teams on their home floor. The mavs are only 4-4 on back to backs. Not to mention it was a road game against Minnesota. The one bad loss was to Golden St. they had that game wrapped up until Baron Davis and Jason Richardson go off.

[MavsFanFinley]

Bump with an update.

Dallas wins while the Spurs lose.

[mary]

~Dallas~

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)W
New York (1/11) L
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) W
@ Houston (1/18)
@ Clippers (1/20)
@ Portland (1/22)
@ Golden State (1/25)
@ Seattle (1/26)
Utah (1/28)
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

~Spurs~

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New JerseyW
1/12 Detroit L
1/14 Memphis W
1/16 @ Memphis W
1/18 Milwaukee
1/20 @ Miami
1/22 Denver
1/24 Charlotte
1/25 @ NO/Okla.
1/28 Minnesota
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[mary]

I'm going to be honest and say anything less than a 5-0 road trip will be dissapointing, but I'll live with 4-1.

We didn't gain any ground on the Spurs tonight, but did gain another game over Memphis.

Another thing....and I know this doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things...but I will be really annoyed if the Suns end up with a better record than the Mavs going into the Allstar break. I just hate D'antoni.

[snoop]

the game I really am looking forward to is late march at the Pistons, that willl be fun

[alby]

it'll be another blowout =]

[mary]

~Dallas~

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)W
New York (1/11) L
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) W
@ Houston (1/18) W
@ Clippers (1/20) W
@ Portland (1/22) W
@ Golden State (1/25)
@ Seattle (1/26)
Utah (1/28)
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

~Spurs~

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New JerseyW
1/12 Detroit L
1/14 Memphis W
1/16 @ Memphis W
1/18 Milwaukee W
1/20 @ Miami W
1/22 Denver L
1/24 Charlotte
1/25 @ NO/Okla.
1/28 Minnesota
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[Folterkammer]

this 8 game road trip sure looks damn hard without manu ginobili..

[kriD]

Manu will be back by then (Toronto at the latest).

[MavsFanFinley]

Originally Posted by Folterkammer

this 8 game road trip sure looks damn hard without manu ginobili..

Pop said he thought Manu would only miss 3 or 4 games. Ginobli last night said he'd only miss 7-10 days at most. If he sits the 10 days then he'd only miss the Bobcats, Hornets, Timberwolves, and Utah games. They would then play Portland and GS before having 5 days rest. They'd finish off the 5 games on the road before having another 5 days rest during the all-star break.

I think he'll be back for the start of the road trip in Utah though.

[Usually Lurkin]

Wow. Things look good for the Mavs to move up. Tied with the Spurs right now, and scheduled for the next month:

Mavs: 11 home 4 away
Spurs: 5 home 10 away

This year, the records are:
Mavs: 16-4 home, 15-5 away
Spurs: 19-3 home, 12-7 away

Either the Spurs will get their road game in order, or the mavs should move a couple games ahead.

[aexchange]

Dallas

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)W
New York (1/11) L
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) W
@ Houston (1/18) W
@ Clippers (1/20) W
@ Portland (1/22) W
@ Golden State (1/25) W
@ Seattle (1/26) W
Utah (1/28)
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

Spurs

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New JerseyW
1/12 Detroit L
1/14 Memphis W
1/16 @ Memphis W
1/18 Milwaukee W
1/20 @ Miami W
1/22 Denver L
1/24 Charlotte W
1/25 @ NO/Okla. W
1/28 Minnesota
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[MavsFanFinley]

Dallas

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)W
New York (1/11) L
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) W
@ Houston (1/18) W
@ Clippers (1/20) W
@ Portland (1/22) W
@ Golden State (1/25) W
@ Seattle (1/26) W
Utah (1/28) W
Chicago (1/31)
@ Memphis (2/1)
Seattle (2/4)
Lakers (2/7)
Miami (2/9)
@ Denver (2/10)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

Spurs

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New JerseyW
1/12 Detroit L
1/14 Memphis W
1/16 @ Memphis W
1/18 Milwaukee W
1/20 @ Miami W
1/22 Denver L
1/24 Charlotte W
1/25 @ NO/Okla. W
1/28 Minnesota W
1/30 @ Utah
2/1 @ Portland
2/2 @ Golden State
2/8 @ Toronto
2/10 @ New Jersey
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

Spurs start there 8 game road trip on Monday. Ginobli returned tonight.

[Thespiralgoeson]

No way chance in hell the Spurs go 8-0 on this road trip. Only problem is, we've won 8 in a row and are probably due for a loss. We just have to hope the Spurs lose two games before we lose one.

[bernardos70]

Up next on the Mavs channel: the 10-game of the current 16 game winning streak.

I can easily see the Spurs going 6-2 on that road trip, so we're not gonna have a lot of room for mistakes either.

[V2M]

Fairly tough stretch coming up. 2nd nights of back2back, on the road, at Memphis and Denver as well as games against Lakers (we're 0-2 against 'em) and Miami (top 5 team).

[TVI]

Dallas

Golden State (12/30) L
@ New Orleans (12/31) W
Portland (1/3) W
@ Minnesota (1/4) L
Denver (1/6) W
Minnesota (1/7) W
Boston (1/9)W
New York (1/11) L
New Jersey (1/14) W
Milwaukee (1/16) W
@ Houston (1/18) W
@ Clippers (1/20) W
@ Portland (1/22) W
@ Golden State (1/25) W
@ Seattle (1/26) W
Utah (1/28) W
Chicago (1/31) W
@ Memphis (2/1) W
Seattle (2/4) W
Lakers (2/7) W
Miami (2/9) W
@ Denver (2/10) L (spoke too soon)
New York (2/13)
Washington (2/15)
Clippers (2/21)
Memphis (2/23)
Toronto (2/25)
Philadelphia (2/27)

Spurs

12/29 NO/Okla. City W
12/31 @ Denver W
1/4 Portland W
1/6 Minnesota W
1/7 @ Phoenix L
1/10 New JerseyW
1/12 Detroit L
1/14 Memphis W
1/16 @ Memphis W
1/18 Milwaukee W
1/20 @ Miami W
1/22 Denver L
1/24 Charlotte W
1/25 @ NO/Okla. W
1/28 Minnesota W
1/30 @ Utah W
2/1 @ Portland W
2/2 @ Golden State W
2/8 @ Toronto W
2/10 @ New Jersey W
2/12 @ Indiana
2/13 @ Cleveland
2/15 @ Philadelphia
2/21 Seattle
2/24 @ Memphis
2/25 Golden State
2/27 New York

[dude1394]

Boy these two teams are really playing some awesome basketball.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Ugh... Maybe I spoke too soon about San Antonio and the road trip... But hey, there's a chance Indiana, Cleveland or Philly will beat them... I mean, there's always a chance, right??

[dude1394]

Yea that's a tough stretch for anyone. 3 games in 4 nights and those are pretty quality teams. All playoff bound, too bad the b2b is at the front end and not at the back like for the mavs tonight, a little tougher.

[Thespiralgoeson]

I'd say Cleveland's got the best shot, not just because of the b2b, but Cleveland's tough team to match up with too. And I'm willing to bet that the Spurs/Pacers game is going to be a real snooze-fest, no matter who wins. Two real half-court teams in an afternoon game, yuck.