Playoffs GDT: NBA Finals, Game 3, 6/5/2011, 7:00 pm Central (ABC)

[mavspwnage]

I already can't breathe and we still have 3.5 hours left.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

This video been posted yet? Epic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK54I...layer_embedded

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

This video been posted yet? Epic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK54I...layer_embedded

...ok yeah that got me a little jacked up.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

This video been posted yet? Epic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK54I...layer_embedded

Yeah, somebody posted it before, but that video can't be posted enough...

Greatness.

[mavspwnage]

This dude is gonna dominate tonight.

[TNT]

3 hours left and it's midnight in europe. So good night for 3 hours.

Mavs +15 tonight.
Terry 30 points..

[Mav Addict]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

This dude is gonna dominate tonight.

Looks like Steph Curry to me

[CadBane]

DALLAS – For all of the heroics Jason Terry(notes) has delivered the Dallas Mavericks with his clutch shooting, there’s another element of his game that also has produced some head-shaking within the team’s locker room: the oops-my-bad brain freeze.

It can be an untimely turnover … like the ones he committed near the end of the Mavericks’ clinching Game 6 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Or a needless foul … like the one he gave Lamar Odom(notes) some 40 feet from the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Or a defensive lapse … like when he allowed Mario Chalmers(notes) to run to the corner and shoot a wide-open, tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds of Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

That last one – like more than a few of Terry’s other errors – earned him an earful from Dirk Nowitzki(notes). And yet Nowitzki also promised Terry he’d save him from further shame, then did so by driving for the winning lay-in – after Terry set Chris Bosh(notes) off-balance with a screen.

Such is life with the Mavericks’ odd couple.

“We have a kind of love-hate relationship,” Nowitzki said. “It is because we ride each other a lot. We talk to each other a lot. We argue a lot, even during games, but it’s all because we want to win.”

Said Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson: “They’ll go after each other. But there is no question that they also die for each other.”

Terry joined the Mavericks in the summer of 2004 after Nowitzki’s close friend and co-star, Steve Nash(notes), left to sign with the Phoenix Suns. The Mavs acquired JET (Jason Eugene Terry) in a deal that sent Antoine Walker(notes) to the Atlanta Hawks because they valued his scoring ability and clutch shot-making. But there was no easy way to replicate the bond Nowitzki had with Nash.

“Stevie in a lot of respects was Dirk-like in terms of popularity,” Nelson said. “It was a difficult pill to swallow. But when JET showed up, he has this infectious, optimistic demeanor where you can’t help but love the guy. Fans immediately fell in love with his personality.”

Nowitzki had no problems voicing his displeasure when Terry first arrived. The major boiling point in Nowitzki’s and Terry’s young relationship came when their first season together ended in a 130-126 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the 2005 West semifinals. With Dallas leading 111-108 late in regulation, Terry took his time getting down the court as Nash darted ahead and buried a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left. Nowitzki threw his arms in the air as the game went into OT before throwing a towel and screaming at Terry. Afterward, Nowitzki took another shot at Terry saying the Mavs “just weren’t smart enough. With Steve leaving, our overall basketball IQ wasn’t that great.”

“Dirk really got angry at him,” Nelson said. “It was such an emotional, high-charged deal at the time. Dirk, like a lot of great players, gets frustrated. There were some difficult words. But at the same time he’s the same guy who protects JET when other people are trying to come down on him for similar reasons.”

Terry described those early days playing with Nowitzki as “brutal.” He now says they own a “brotherly relationship” that has “grown through our tough times.”

“He was brutally honest to a point, and I took it hard because I didn’t have that coming from a losing situation in Atlanta,” Terry said. “Guys didn’t really hold each other accountable. But when it’s coming from a guy that’s your leader, it means a lot. You take it to heart and then you go out and try to do something about it.”

When Nowitzki made a mistake or had his own mental lapse in practice, former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson used to take out his frustration on Terry, team sources said. Terry would then tell Nowitzki what he needed to do. Eventually, Terry grew comfortable in helping hold Nowitzki accountable.
Terry admits he didn't have an easy time trying to win the trust of Nowitzki when Terry joined the Mavericks in 2004 shortly after Steve Nash left.
(Getty Images)

“If I see something I don’t like with Dirk, I say, ‘Hey, big fella, we need you to get that rebound,’ ” Terry said. “We like it. It’s something that works for us and guys feed off it.”

While Nowitzki has remained the Mavs’ unquestioned star and leader, Terry has had to redefine his role in recent years. Since the Mavericks acquired point guard Jason Kidd(notes) midway through the 2007-08 season, Terry has primarily been used off the bench as an off-guard.

Terry was rewarded for his work by being named the 2009 Sixth Man of the Year, and has grown into a fan favorite in Dallas. It’s not hard to see why: Despite Terry’s defensive error in Miami, he helped spur the Mavs’ big comeback and finished with 16 points, five assists and twp steals in 31 minutes off the bench. After a rough start to their relationship, Nowitzki also now views Terry as “a winner.”

“When we lost Steve, obviously this franchise was down, to lose a great player like that,” Nowitzki said. “But I give Donnie some credit. He brought in JET, who has been a point guard in this league and a veteran and had a good career there in Atlanta. That was a big move. And for us he’s been phenomenal.

“He’s been our closer over the last couple of years – a great clutch player.”

Nowitzki and Terry fell shy of winning a championship together in 2006 and are the only two remaining players from that Finals team. After winning the first game of those Finals, Dallas lost the next four to the Heat and was eliminated on their own court. That disaster remains a painful memory for both of them. The Mavs went on to lose in the first round three of the next four years, including in 2007 when they had the league’s best record. Now, they’re back in the Finals with another opportunity.

“That’s really five years of a cross we bear that you can’t really describe unless you have been through it,” Nelson said.

And if Nowitzki and Terry get the three wins needed to claim their elusive championship?

They’ll both have something to yell about.

[Rick41]

Jason Kidd had hair at one point in his life?

[Axilla]

so ready for this game

[Flacolaco]

Expecting Miami to go inside all night long, get Chandler in foul trouble and dominate with Haywood out.

Why wouldn't they do that?

Hope they don't.

[Bayliss]

I agree Flaco. And with Crawford reffing, I imagine the Heat will get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to contact.

[Rick41]

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Expecting Miami to go inside all night long, get Chandler in foul trouble and dominate with Haywood out.

Why wouldn't they do that?

Hope they don't.

Mahinmi should be fine going against Anthony and/or Haslem. It is his help defense and rebounding that are somewhat of a worry...esp the rebounding.

[Bayliss]

Chandler is going to have to watch his fouls tonight.

[Budapest Maverick]

Go Mavs!

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Expecting Miami to go inside all night long, get Chandler in foul trouble and dominate with Haywood out.

Why wouldn't they do that?

Why wouldn't you expect that? You're Flaco.

[CGM]

Tonight, let's reHEAT some Puerto Rican gandinga (A stew made with the less choice parts of pork, such as tripe, kidneys, heart, and liver)!

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Expecting Miami to go inside all night long, get Chandler in foul trouble and dominate with Haywood out.

Why wouldn't they do that?

Hope they don't.

Is Haywood confirmed to miss the game?

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Is Haywood confirmed to miss the game?

No. But I think Flaco's (probably correctly) playing the odds.

Honestly, from the coverage I've seen so far, I wouldn't be surprised if the guy misses multiple games. That's a tough strain to have.

[deamon]

Originally Posted by Rick41

Jason Kidd had hair at one point in his life?

Yup yellow as Suns player.
Go Bald, Go Mavs!

[fluid.forty.one]

Nap time is over... Go mavs.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Mahinmi should be fine going against Anthony and/or Haslem. It is his help defense and rebounding that are somewhat of a worry...esp the rebounding.

I don't think the rebounding will be that much of a deal because I don't think Mahinmi is that much worse of a rebounder than Haywood (at least the stats don't bear that out).

I'm most worried about the help D. The idea of having a foul machine being your last line of defense against two foul-drawing machines is enough to give me nightmares. I just hope he doesn't manage to foul out before the ~10 minutes Carlisle needs out of him are up. Plus we just don't need Mahinmi giving Miami a ton of easy points at the charity stripe.

And I say this as one of this board's biggest Mahinmi backers.

[fluid.forty.one]

I'll say this... I'd much, much, much, much rather have Mahinmi out there instead of small ball. I hope we decided not to use Mahinmi in game 2 because he just wasn't ready for the game plan on such short notice...

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

I'll say this... I'd much, much, much, much rather have Mahinmi out there instead of small ball. I hope we decided not to use Mahinmi in game 2 because he just wasn't ready for the game plan on such short notice...

I think I would too. I'm just a little afraid that Wade and Lebron are going to ring him up when he's out there, which probably makes this just about the worst matchup for him. Hopefully, Carlisle is very careful on where he puts Mahinmi in the game so that he minimizes this risk.

The plus side with Mahinmi is that I think he gives Miami more to worry about on the other side of the ball than Haywood ever could. So I think the Mavericks need to take advantage of that to offset his defensive deficiencies.

[j0Shi]

Ref-Stats for tonights game based on the average playoff-numbers for each team:

DAL: +6.82 EffDiff; 29.10 FTA pp100; 23.30 PF pp100; 27.96 oFTA pp100; 24.44 oPF pp100
MIA: +5.12 EffDiff; 32.76 FTA pp100; 21.17 PF pp100; 24.00 oFTA pp100; 25.21 oPF pp100

Dan Crawford:
DAL (2-0): +3.40 EffDiff; +5.86 FTA pp100; -1.25 PF pp100; +0.01 oFTA p100; +2.99 PF pp100
MIA (1-1): -12.01 EffDiff; -5.77 FTA pp100; -0.50 PF pp100; -2.18 oFTA pp100; -3.96 oPF pp100

Derrick Stafford:
DAL (2-1): -4.89 EffDiff; +4.85 FTA pp100; -1.31 PF pp100; -4.81 oFTA pp100; +2.18 oPF pp100
MIA (2-0): +5.03 EffDiff; -3.43 FTA pp100; +7.03 PF pp100; +7.02 oFTA pp100; +1.86 oPF pp100

Scott Foster:
DAL (3-0): +13.03 EffDiff; -2.13 FTA pp100; +1.42 PF pp100; +2.38 oFTA pp100; -1.22 oPF pp100
MIA (3-0): +7.82 EffDiff; +5.31 FTA pp100; -0.61 PF pp100; -0.78 oFTA pp100; +2.58 oPF pp100

Scott Foster is Ref to watch tonight. Miami gets to the line more frequently in games under his whistle and the opponent gets called for more fouls. It's the other way round in Mavs games.

Danny now on the Mavs bandwagon I guess

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

Danny now on the Mavs bandwagon I guess

At least until the bad press is gone.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

At least until the bad press is gone.

We just need him to be on our bandwagon for this one playoff run. I just need one ring.

[Rick41]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

We just need him to be on our bandwagon for this one playoff run. I just need one ring.

This for the love of god!

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by CGM

Tonight, let's reHEAT some Puerto Rican gandinga (A stew made with the less choice parts of pork, such as tripe, kidneys, heart, and liver)!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_FHL9UssUPoY/TU...ito%5B9%5D.jpg

7lb 6oz baby Jesus. Why do you keep posting this Fear Factor food in the GDT's?

[Dirkadirkastan]

Scott Foster was one the refs that absolutely would not call a foul on Dirk's defender ever in Game 4 against the Spurs last year or Game 3 against the Thunder this year.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Scott Foster was one the refs that absolutely would not call a foul on Dirk's defender ever in Game 4 against the Spurs last year or Game 3 against the Thunder this year.

He also called Portland Game 5 (11 FTA for Dirk, 35 for the Mavs), and Lakers game 4 (I won't bother pulling the stats for that one cause they don't even matter).

Maybe he's just a home court guy.

[Nowitzness81]

Put Dirk at C, Marion at SF, Brewer at PF when Chandler goes to the bench.

Maybe a few minutes for Mahini when Lebron isn't in the game.

[iella]

Per EKS, Haywood is out and Roddy is active tonight: Twitter

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

7lb 6oz baby Jesus. Why do you keep posting this Fear Factor food in the GDT's?

It is gross!

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by Nowitzness81

Put Dirk at C, Marion at SF, Brewer at PF when Chandler goes to the bench.

Maybe a few minutes for Mahini when Lebron isn't in the game.

no. Mahimni needs to play when Chandler is on the bench, that simple

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by iella

Per EKS, Haywood is out and Roddy is active tonight: Twitter

Yeah, it seemed pretty obvious they were just doing lip service to the idea that he could play.

Don't be surprised to see him miss at least 1-2 more games, if not the rest of the series. I thought initially it was more mild, but their lack of optimism yesterday and this morning was pretty telling.

[FINtastic]

Let's hope Mahinmi is up to the task. One thing for sure, it's certainly going to be interesting. I could see this going very poorly or surprisingly well. I guess some of it depends on how well Miami has scouted Mahinmi and how well they attack him.

[CGM]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

7lb 6oz baby Jesus. Why do you keep posting this Fear Factor food in the GDT's?

Those are my recipes FTW!

[Nowitzness81]

Haywood inactive

Beaubois up per the ticket.