GDT: OKC @ Dallas 7 PM CST

[MavsFTR]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011010606

Now that the Dallas Mavericks know Caron Butler(notes) will likely miss the rest of the season, the need to have Dirk Nowitzki(notes) healthy has only increased.

His status for Thursday night is uncertain as the Mavericks go for a season sweep of the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center.

Nowitzki has missed the last five games with a sprained right knee, including Tuesday’s 84-81 victory over Portland. The win came hours after Butler, the Mavericks’ third-leading scorer, underwent knee surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right knee He’s not expected to return this season.


Nowitzki, averaging 24.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, remains day to day. He last saw action in a 103-93 victory over the Thunder on Dec. 27, playing 12 minutes before being injured.

The most games Nowitzki has missed in a regular season for Dallas (26-8) was six during the 2001-02 campaign.

“Hopefully we get him back soon,” Jason Terry(notes) told the Mavericks’ official website.

Terry has taken Butler’s spot in the starting lineup the last two games and scored 18 points in each - 12 in the fourth quarter Tuesday - and the Mavs won both. They lost the previous three games without Nowitzki.

DeShawn Stevenson(notes) has stepped up to score 39 points in the two victories after averaging 4.3 during the three-game skid.

Still, the Mavericks have averaged 88.8 points in Nowitzki’s absence - about nine below their season average - while trying to improve on defense. They are giving up 91.6 points per game in the last five as their opponents have shot 29.9 percent from 3-point range.

“We’re a team of good individual players, but we’re a team first,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “Right now, the challenge for us is to get better defensively. That’s gonna help trigger a lot of good things for us. And that’s gonna be the biggest part of being successful with where we’re at at this moment.”

Poor defense has plagued the Thunder (23-13), who have lost four of seven while allowing an average of 102.7 points on 48.7 percent shooting.

Oklahoma City is looking to avoid a season-high third straight loss following a 101-74 defeat at San Antonio on Saturday and a 110-105 loss at Memphis on Tuesday.

After setting season lows for points and field-goal percentage (32.9) against the Spurs, the Thunder bounced back to shoot 51.3 percent Tuesday only to let the Grizzlies shoot 51.2 percent in one of their best offensive performances of the season.

“We couldn’t get important stops that we wanted to late in the game,” coach Scott Brooks said.

Russell Westbrook(notes) had 28 points after scoring a season-low eight against the Spurs, and Kevin Durant(notes) also scored 28 after matching his season low with 16 on Saturday. The Thunder are 10-2 when Durant scores at least 30, but one of those losses came when he had 32 in a 111-103 defeat to Dallas on Nov. 24.

Both of Oklahoma City’s losses to the Mavs this season came at home, but they won their last visit to Dallas after losing nine straight there.

The Thunder, though, have lost three straight on the road and have been outrebounded in four of five overall. They gave up 12 offensive boards to Memphis and 11 to the Spurs.


“In an NBA season you’re going to have some highs and some lows,” Brooks said. “We’ve lost two in a row and our guys have been resilient all year. They bounce back."

[Rick41]

Let's f'ing win this.

[xrobx]

i think they're still mad over the way we celebrated on their home court last time. we sure could use dirk.

[SMC0007]

MavsFTR going for 3 straight? GL.

I look forward to some scrappy play tonight. The only way to win. Chandler has to get dirty again.

[12 Tone Melodies]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Jan. 6, 2011
Oklahoma City @ Dallas--Steve Javie, Leroy Richardson, Zach Zarba

[Underdog]

Any word on Dirk for tonight's game?

[sinsin]

Originally Posted by xrobx

i think they're still mad over the way we celebrated on their home court last time. we sure could use dirk.

i d rather have dirk late in the season + in the playoffs

how he went down was really, really scary to me
dirk also said, that the knee wasn't alright before

i just hope dirk is getting absolutely healthy, and i don't mind if it takes one or two weeks longer than originally anticipated

btt:

okc lost last 4 of 7 and didn t look that sharp all season...if the mavs manage to get 4 or 5 people to score in double digits i think they have got a good shot at winning tonight

goooooooooooooooooooo mavs

[FromDownTown!]

Go Mavs! If Dirk plays please let it be very limited minutes. My true hope is that he sits this one out completely.

Let the second team gain a little more confidence with a win tonight.

[MavsFTR]

Dirk is still out with his sprained right knee today.

[41mvp]

Dirk is out once again

[iella]

A bit of an echo in here.

Mavs 101 Thunder 94

[41mvp]

Go Mavs!!!
I believe!!!

[Dirkules41]

No Dirk tonight?

[41mvp]

Originally Posted by Dirkules41

No Dirk tonight?

yes

[SMC0007]

Yes or no?

[MavsFTR]

Dirk will NOT be playing in tonight's game.

[xrobx]

so is dirk really day to day or is this another roddy situation where we should expect him back after the all-star break because i'm slightly worried now

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by xrobx

so is dirk really day to day or is this another roddy situation where we should expect him back after the all-star break because i'm slightly worried now

I’m pretty sure Dallas is buying in to the Boston system from last year. They had a good record but they pretty much coasted the tail end and just made sure they were healthy and fresh, it paid off about as well as you could hope.

Kendrick Perkins injured going into Game 7 and you’re right there until the very end.

When injuries come along now, there's no need to rush back. Dirk doesn't have anything to prove right now.

[sefant77]

Why they announce it so early? Let the Thunder worry if he plays or not...

[rabbitproof]

I think the Dallas team is talented enough to hold it down while Dirk is out. Not close ground on SA but probably enough to hold onto #2 for another couple weeks if necessary.

I bet Dirk would've come back in past years by now but if he can take a few games off and come back risk-free and stronger down the road, it's worth it. I'm sure it's killing him as a player but the Mavs and Dirk will do what's smart.

[Maringa]

It's fun to end the season and claim the #1 or #2 spot...Recent history show's that it amounts to a hill of beans for the Mav's (see last year playoffs with Spurs, and loss to Golden State). If people can get latched on to the concept that it's not important for the Mavs not to finish first or second, maybe they can realize that health, a set rotation, and momentuum going in to the playoffs is what is key. Carlisle I believe is learning from set rotations. Last year, there must have been a twenty or thirty different starting line-ups and rotations, including in the playoffs...This year, keeping the same starting line-up and rotation timining, etc. has done wonders. Of course after Dirk and Butler got hurt, things got nerve racking and we lost 3 in a row...but keeping and maintaining a calm set rotation during the last two - three games has helped tremendously.

[sefant77]

Dont like the matchup at the F positions, could become ugly reboundwise

Marion always took Durant out of the game but that would mean Stevenson playing against 6-9 Green (and defending the PF position)...

[Bayliss]

If Dirk was day to day... he'd already be playing. I understand the Mavs want him to rest, but why not judt say he'll be out for at least a week or two?

[Kante]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Dont like the matchup at the F positions, could become ugly reboundwise

Marion always took Durant out of the game but that would mean Stevenson playing against 6-9 Green (and defending the PF position)...

Stevenson will start on Durant, pretty sure. Marion will take over later...

One of those 2 needs to be on the floor when Durant is!

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by Maringa

It's fun to end the season and claim the #1 or #2 spot...Recent history show's that it amounts to a hill of beans for the Mav's (see last year playoffs with Spurs, and loss to Golden State). If people can get latched on to the concept that it's not important for the Mavs not to finish first or second, maybe they can realize that health, a set rotation, and momentuum going in to the playoffs is what is key. Carlisle I believe is learning from set rotations. Last year, there must have been a twenty or thirty different starting line-ups and rotations, including in the playoffs...This year, keeping the same starting line-up and rotation timining, etc. has done wonders. Of course after Dirk and Butler got hurt, things got nerve racking and we lost 3 in a row...but keeping and maintaining a calm set rotation during the last two - three games has helped tremendously.

The only two Mavs teams in the last ten years to get to the conference finals were 60-win teams.

[mavs777]

The problem with Stevenson playing the 3 mainly is rebounding. The way we win this game is we will have to play good defense and win the TO battle, chances are OKC will beat us on the boards

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

If Dirk was day to day... he'd already be playing. I understand the Mavs want him to rest, but why not judt say he'll be out for at least a week or two?

They said he was day-to-day.
With the Roddy situation, They're being consistent at least...

I know it's not THAT severe, but they're just taking the extra cautious route. There's not a major sense of urgency to rush him back out on the court.

Everyone views it as a solid experience to prepare for rough scenarios in the playoffs (foul troubles and etc) and build everyone else back up. They're getting live competition to review what works and what doesn't work.

[fluid.forty.one]

I won't be here for this game... good luck Mavs!

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by Kante

Stevenson will start on Durant, pretty sure. Marion will take over later...

One of those 2 needs to be on the floor when Durant is!

So we need someone on the bench to watch Durant's every move.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Maringa

It's fun to end the season and claim the #1 or #2 spot...Recent history show's that it amounts to a hill of beans for the Mav's (see last year playoffs with Spurs, and loss to Golden State). If people can get latched on to the concept that it's not important for the Mavs not to finish first or second, maybe they can realize that health, a set rotation, and momentuum going in to the playoffs is what is key. Carlisle I believe is learning from set rotations. Last year, there must have been a twenty or thirty different starting line-ups and rotations, including in the playoffs...This year, keeping the same starting line-up and rotation timining, etc. has done wonders. Of course after Dirk and Butler got hurt, things got nerve racking and we lost 3 in a row...but keeping and maintaining a calm set rotation during the last two - three games has helped tremendously.

+1

[DMOC]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Why they announce it so early? Let the Thunder worry if he plays or not...

This.

[BGMaverick9]

Very uneventful pregame meeting. Carlisle said he's not worried about Dirk's standing in the All-Star Game Voting...or any other Mavericks player.

The team needs to be a defense and rebounding-first team and everyone needs to be capable of driving and kicking. There is a premium on team play right now without Dirk.

Praised Jones and the D-League, basically saying it's "very competitive" and that it's a good place to get better and stay ready.

Dirk is still day-to-day.

[Bayliss]

BG, ask them about 10 day contracts and if they are eyeing the D-League for a possible fix.....

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

BG, ask them about 10 day contracts and if they are eyeing the D-League for a possible fix.....

It's too late for today and that'd be more of a Cuban/Donnie question...and neither are available at the arena right now. I don't think Cuban will be here tonight, or he's arriving late.

The period does start on Monday though.

[Bayliss]

Oh, I didn't mean right this second. I meant more in the next couple of days.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Oh, I didn't mean right this second. I meant more in the next couple of days.

Alright.

Just an FYI, Jason Kidd is three made 3-pointers away from taking sole possession of 3 place on the all-time list for 3-pointers made (1720). Ray Allen is second place at 2514 and Reggie Miller is first at 2560.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Alright.

Just an FYI, Jason Kidd is three made 3-pointers away from taking sole possession of 3 place on the all-time list for 3-pointers made (1720). Ray Allen is second place at 2514 and Reggie Miller is first at 2560.

Wow, select company, who would have thunk this back in 1994.

[dalger]

Enjoy:

http://p2pfootyweb.blogspot.com/2010/12/ch1.html
http://www.cqcfutebol.tk/ch2.html
http://atdhe.net/32025/watch-oklahom...llas-mavericks
http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nba.html
http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nba-2.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.faunotv.com/p/canal-1.html
http://www.faunotv.com/p/canal-2.html
http://homero-tv.blogspot.com/p/homero-1.html
http://carsportsnew.blogspot.com/p/carbo-1.html
http://www.eventosppv.com/
http://tinyurl.com/kalintvv3
http://zorrohd.blogspot.com/
http://www.kozreloadtv.info/
http://sportsrojadirecta7.blogspot.com/
http://horaciotv9.blogspot.com/2011/01/1.html
http://www.stopstream.com/ch1.html

[LetsGoMavs]

Originally Posted by dalger

Enjoy:

http://p2pfootyweb.blogspot.com/2010/12/ch1.html
http://www.cqcfutebol.tk/ch2.html
http://atdhe.net/32025/watch-oklahom...llas-mavericks
http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nba.html
http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-nba-2.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.firstrow.net/watch/44220/...y-thunder.html
http://www.faunotv.com/p/canal-1.html
http://www.faunotv.com/p/canal-2.html
http://homero-tv.blogspot.com/p/homero-1.html
http://carsportsnew.blogspot.com/p/carbo-1.html
http://www.eventosppv.com/
http://tinyurl.com/kalintvv3
http://zorrohd.blogspot.com/
http://www.kozreloadtv.info/
http://sportsrojadirecta7.blogspot.com/
http://horaciotv9.blogspot.com/2011/01/1.html
http://www.stopstream.com/ch1.html

You´re definitely into searching links lately^^

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Dalger again"

[rabbitproof]

If we can beat the Thunder sans Dirk, Butler and Roddy, the Thunder should just go home. This will be tuff.