Blazers @ Mavs

[LoveMyMavs14]

Blazers visit Mavs at the AAC tonight at 7:30.

The teams have met twice this season, each winning at home. Dallas has had a day off, while Portland was in Houston last night, where they had a five-game winning streak stopped with an 89-85 loss.

This could either be a continuation of the good things we've been seeing, or another letdown after a big win. Our boys have seemed beyond determined lately, so I don't think a letdown is as likely...BUT, the Blazers are playing a completely different game when they were earlier in the year, as they're surging and trying to fight their way back into the playoffs. Zach Randolph has also presented big problems for this team in the past.

So, is it another win (and maybe another triple double for Stevie Wonder)? Or a thud after a temporary high?

[LoveMyMavs14]

Hmmm, I read a preview that said that they've met twice, but I just realized that it's wrong...this will be their final meeting, and Dallas won IN Portland on January 17, 108-104.

[kg_veteran]

With just over 20 games remaining in the season, the Mavs can't afford to take any games off. As long as they focus, they should beat Portland, especially with the Blazers on the back end of a back-to-back.

[mavsfanforever]

Mavs have won big games and then let the easy ones slip away. This might be a good opportunity to move to the third spot. Mavs cannot afford to lose this one.

[MavsFanFinley]

Mavs take care of business again. 108-92 victory.

[dude1394]

MFF said it all. Mavs take care of bidness. Mavs win 108-92.. Wow..good guess. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[Dirkenstien]

Mavs beat the blazers.

Mavs: 111
Blazers: 102

[DubOverdose]

They shoot a pretty high fg % against us, so we really need to make sure we get rebounds. We are a better rebounding team than them. Luckily, the game is in Dallas and the Mavs are hot right now. Bradley was out our first win and loss, and Nash was out during the second win. While the Trailblazers are a different team now, the Mavs definitely have more players to use this game that should help us out quite a bit. We win this one since the Mavs look like they are putting the final pieces together and playing better D. 105-91

[samoan-maverick]

Theo Ratliff gave them trouble in Atlanta, so did Shariff. Thats whats gonna make this win even sweeter.

Mavs- 105
Blazers- 91

Finley is gonna go MadNesS with another 30+. Dirk with 25.

[Misfit Mav]

Blazers have 2 excellent scorers at the 4 spot in Randolph and Abdur-Rahim. I'd like to see solidminutes for Williams and Bradley, like we've seen in the past few games, to try to counter their inside strength. Pretty much all the games from here on out are important, and the home games are especially important given our struggles on the road.

My prediction:

Mavs win a close one, 103-100

Edit: Just remember portland played a tough game in Houston last night. That should make this an easier win for the Mavs.

[Jamisonite]

Mavs win 98-95

[bigdaddy]

This will be a tough game as Portland has good size. SAR and Ratliff gave us so many problems last time we played them and we know how Randolph gives us fits.

[mavsfanforever]

Preview

Preview by Matt Pinto

[OutletPass]

Mavs by 12...

111-99.

The hot shooting continues !

[DubOverdose]

Howard will be out tonight due to a strained groin. Nooo!

[PepperTheMavsFan41]

I usually dont predict home losses, I even had us beating the Spurs yesterday, BUT

Randdolph
SAR
2 known Mav killers

No doubt Ruben Patterson will go 6-8 for 16 points and 8 boards.

The Mavs will either blow them out (10 or more) or lose.

If the Mavs shoot well they will win, if not they will lose.

IM intrested to see how the rebounds go, Portaland is prolly the best rebounding team in the NBA now.

[PepperTheMavsFan41]

They wont beat Sac, but if Minn gets that 1st seed and Portland gets the 8th seed. Huuuuu Hmmmmmmm. (to quote Georgio)

[bigdaddy]

Originally posted by: DubOverdose
Howard will be out tonight due to a strained groin. Nooo!

Again? damn

[LordOfTheMavs]

Every time this year the Mavs have started to make steps forward, they slip up. Every time I start having that feeling that they are getting over the hump and starting to be as good as I think they can, they come out and have a dissapointing loss.

I think this is that game. Portland is always dangerous and with multiple known Mavs killers on thier roster, it is extra scarry.

So even though I am ever the optomist, tonight I pick the Blazers to win by 10. Mavs good FG% D that we have seen the last few games is gone tonight. Around the Mavs basket will be Dunk City tonight, as layups and routes to the basket are unimpeded.

So, with that said, if the Mavs can play close or come away with a win, then I will officially decide that they are over the hump and ready for a strong playoff run. If they lose and play cruddy D, then they still have lots of work to do.

Mav 96
Blaze 106

[Chiwas]

Nash
Fin
Dirk
Walker
Williams

Fasten your seat belts!

[Chiwas]

Are the Blazers going to resist the rhythm?

I doubt it.

[Chiwas]

Fortson is on the court for Williams (course, but too early).

[DubOverdose]

We need to stop their dunks!

[Chiwas]

Well, Williams had 2 fouls, but was on fire with 8 points.

[MavsFanFinley]

Williams has another strong start, but those 2 early fouls suck.

[Chiwas]

I hate the reduced screen of CBS.

Players look shorter and Fortson more beefy. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[OutletPass]

Key to the game:

Beating them on the boards.

[PepperTheMavsFan41]

Geez this a better Portlan team!!!!

[Chiwas]

WTG, Fin!



Good steal by Fortson, good secondary fast break by Finley, Walker making the big assist, and Finley putting that three in!

[DubOverdose]

Fortson and Walker are really playing well.

[Chiwas]

Hehehe, they almost missed that 4 to 1 fast break.

[LordOfTheMavs]

Scott Williams was very nice early. Every thing he does is just bonus for the Mavs as they dont rely on much from the Center position. Very nice. Nash getting in the lane for easy shots will make thier D losen up for the post players and jump shooter later.

D looking OK. Giving up some dunk and open jumpers, but also seems to be pretty active and players for the most part are getting in good position.

Low turnovers always make the Mavs a tough team to beat.

Dont' have to win the rebounding war tonight, but we do need to keep it close and limit second chance putbacks.

Keep it up guys.

[Chiwas]

Also Nash is playing well.

[Chiwas]

Originally posted by: LordOfTheMavs
...
Low turnovers always make the Mavs a tough team to beat.

Dont' have to win the rebounding war tonight, but we do need to keep it close and limit second chance putbacks.

Amen to this.

[PepperTheMavsFan41]

Is it me or does Zack only have 2 low post moves??

[LordOfTheMavs]

Where is the patented sluggish Mavericks start?

Portland is gonna get MoCheeks all up in their faces about that poor defense in the first quarter. If they dont start providing some resistance to easy Mavs buckets (Nash in the paint, Williams open jumpers) then they are gonna get blown out of the building once the jump shooters (Dirk and Fin) start heating up.

[OutletPass]

Dirk !!!

Good to see you join the game !!

[OutletPass]

59% shooting in the first quarter.

Gotta keep these guys off the boards...they're tops in the NBA since the trade.

[MavsFanFinley]

Mavs lead 27-21 after 1st quarter:

Walker (12) 3-4, 1-1, 7pts, 3rbs, 3as, 1to

Dirk (12) 1-3, 0-1, 2pts, 1rb, 2as, 2blks

Williams (5) 3-4, 6pts

Finley (12) 1-3, 0-1, 2pts, 1rb, 1as, 1blk

Nash (12) 5-7, 0-1, 10pts, 1rb, 1as

Fortson (6) 0-1, 4rbs, 1to, 1stl, 1blk

Jamison (1)

[PepperTheMavsFan41]

WERE ROLLIN RIGHT NOW!!!!

On a good Portland team