The Mavericks were shorthanded two times over Monday night at Oklahoma City.
First, they were without head coach Rick Carlisle, who had knee surgery over the Mavericks 5-day break, but the tem unexpectedly lost Dirk Nowitzki after a collision resulted in what is being termed a “sore knee” at the 9:10 mark of the second quarter. It looked like more than that to me because he could barely stand at the line long enough to make his free throw attempt. Carlisle is expected back with the team tomorrow, and at this point, Nowitzki’s status is pending the results of an MRI in the morning.
Despite his propensity for ankle injuries, Nowitzki is recognized on the list of NBA players who have missed the fewest games due to injury. He knows how to play through pain, so it remains possible that he could play Tuesday night.
Without Nowitzki, Caron Butler, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd certainly made the task easier for assistant coach Dwane Casey, who filled in for Carlisle. Butler led the team with 21 points in 38:46 minutes. Marion had 20, all but two of which occurred after Nowitzki left the floor. Kidd finished with a double-double of 10 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Mavs fired 11 3-pointers through the net, including at least five in a 34-point first quarter. The Mavs were outscored in the second and third quarters, but doubled up the Thunder 24-12 in the fourth to cement a 103-93 victory. Jason Terry once again continued his recent fourth-quarter pattern, scoring 11 of this 13 points during that frame.
Note: The NBA’s leading scorer, Kevin Durant, scored his average of 28 points Monday.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Nowitzki Passes Bird in Well-Rounded Offensive Performance: Mavericks 105 Magic 99
Dirk Nowitzki entered the game chasing history.
Nowitzki needed just 11 points to pass Larry Bird for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In his 948th career game, Nowitzki accumulated eight points in the first quarter, leaving everyone thinking the magic shot (no pun intended) could happen any minute. But Nowitzki struggled shooting on the night, going just 4 for 13. Nowitzki surprising went scoreless for the next two quarters, and with anxiety quietly building on the TV broadcast, he hit his only three of the night 42 seconds into the fourth quarter to move ahead of Bird on the all-time scoring list.
The Big German finished the game with 17 points and sits at a career total of 21,798 – only 15 points away from Gary Payton. All four of Nowitzki’s starting counterparts – Caron Butler. Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Kidd – also completed the Mavs final contest before Christmas in double figures. Butler netted four 3’s and 20 points. Stevenson was 3 for 4 from long range with 11 points, while Jason Kidd made three 3’s on eight attempts as part of 13 points.
Chandler put on a mega offensive show with six dunks, including three in a span of 1:10 in the second quarter.
The Mavs made 12 3’s and the Magic had 11.
The Mavs, now 23-5 overall and 10-1 on the road, have a gift-wrapped five-day break for Christmas and do not play again until December 27. Another present would be to continue this quality of play after the break.
Note: Dwight Howard, the Magic center, finished the game with 26 points and 23 rebounds.
Nowitzki needed just 11 points to pass Larry Bird for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In his 948th career game, Nowitzki accumulated eight points in the first quarter, leaving everyone thinking the magic shot (no pun intended) could happen any minute. But Nowitzki struggled shooting on the night, going just 4 for 13. Nowitzki surprising went scoreless for the next two quarters, and with anxiety quietly building on the TV broadcast, he hit his only three of the night 42 seconds into the fourth quarter to move ahead of Bird on the all-time scoring list.
The Big German finished the game with 17 points and sits at a career total of 21,798 – only 15 points away from Gary Payton. All four of Nowitzki’s starting counterparts – Caron Butler. Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Kidd – also completed the Mavs final contest before Christmas in double figures. Butler netted four 3’s and 20 points. Stevenson was 3 for 4 from long range with 11 points, while Jason Kidd made three 3’s on eight attempts as part of 13 points.
Chandler put on a mega offensive show with six dunks, including three in a span of 1:10 in the second quarter.
The Mavs made 12 3’s and the Magic had 11.
The Mavs, now 23-5 overall and 10-1 on the road, have a gift-wrapped five-day break for Christmas and do not play again until December 27. Another present would be to continue this quality of play after the break.
Note: Dwight Howard, the Magic center, finished the game with 26 points and 23 rebounds.
Happy Birthday, Taylor Teagarden
Backup catcher Taylor Teagarden played in 28 games and got 71 at-bats in 2010. Although his opportunities were few, he took full advantage of them, particularly against the Oakland Athletics. He hit three of his four home runs against the A’s during a period of a week and a half. The long balls came on July 29, August 6 and August 7. His final homer was on August 18 versus the Tampa Bay Rays, the team the Rangers would beat for their first playoff series victory in team history.
Teagarden appeared in seven games after a September call-up, helping the Rangers grasp their first American League West title since 1999.
Teagarden appeared in seven games after a September call-up, helping the Rangers grasp their first American League West title since 1999.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Terry Helps Mavs End Another Streak: Mavs 98 Heat 96
For the second time in nine days, Jason Terry came out of nowhere to put together a mammoth fourth quarter and lead the Mavericks to victory against a team that like the Mavs, is competing for the best record in the NBA.
Terry scored all of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, accounting for more than half of the of the Mavs’ 33-point output in the 98-96 road win over Miami. Terry made three three-points, jumpers, layups and free throws from all over the court. The first two of his threes gave the Mavericks two-point leads at 72-70 and 74-72, while the third one, coming with 1:25 left on the clock, gave the Mavs a four-point advantage at 89-85.
The Mavs would not relinquish the lead, but the Heat refused to give in. Free throws from Terry, Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki in the final 1:04 minutes, put the Mavs’ one blink ahead of a possible comeback by the Heat. Nowitzki’s shots situated the Mavs with a 98-93 lead that rendered Dwayne Wade’s 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left meaningless. The win snapped the Heat’s 12-game winning streak. Their last loss came in Dallas on November 27. The Spurs’ 12-game streak also ended at the hands of the Mavs on November 20.
The Heat average 29 free throw attempts per game but saw the line for only four such shots in the first half. For the game, they had 25, only making 17. Perhaps an more notable abnormality lies in the fact that LeBron James, the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer, was held scoreless in the first half and was not a factor. James hit a 3-point shot with 7:50 left in the third quarter to get on the board. That started a second half that consisted on 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The game included a multitude of offensive runs:
Terry scored all of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, accounting for more than half of the of the Mavs’ 33-point output in the 98-96 road win over Miami. Terry made three three-points, jumpers, layups and free throws from all over the court. The first two of his threes gave the Mavericks two-point leads at 72-70 and 74-72, while the third one, coming with 1:25 left on the clock, gave the Mavs a four-point advantage at 89-85.
The Mavs would not relinquish the lead, but the Heat refused to give in. Free throws from Terry, Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki in the final 1:04 minutes, put the Mavs’ one blink ahead of a possible comeback by the Heat. Nowitzki’s shots situated the Mavs with a 98-93 lead that rendered Dwayne Wade’s 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left meaningless. The win snapped the Heat’s 12-game winning streak. Their last loss came in Dallas on November 27. The Spurs’ 12-game streak also ended at the hands of the Mavs on November 20.
The Heat average 29 free throw attempts per game but saw the line for only four such shots in the first half. For the game, they had 25, only making 17. Perhaps an more notable abnormality lies in the fact that LeBron James, the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer, was held scoreless in the first half and was not a factor. James hit a 3-point shot with 7:50 left in the third quarter to get on the board. That started a second half that consisted on 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The game included a multitude of offensive runs:
- 14-2 for the Mavericks from the beginning of the game until 8:25 in the first quarter
- 17-0 Miami from the 3:14 mark of the first quarter until 58 seconds into the second quarter
- 12-2 Dallas
- 12-2 Miami
- 10-0 Dallas
- 13-0 Miami
Texas Rangers Holidays
I guess Eric Nadel could pass for Santa Claus.
No doubt he had the best call for the biggest moment in Rangers history!
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/fan_forum/greeting_card.jsp?c_id=tex&partnerId=ed-4333699-175298868
No doubt he had the best call for the biggest moment in Rangers history!
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/fan_forum/greeting_card.jsp?c_id=tex&partnerId=ed-4333699-175298868
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Day After Cliff Lee’s Decision
Within an hour of when the Mavericks 12-game winning streak was stopped, I had the air sucked out of me once again.
At around 11 p.m. Monday, I received notification via social media connections that Cliff Lee, the man who put the Dallas-Fort Worth area sports world on pins and needles for weeks, had signed with the Phillies.
My immediate reaction was “What, they traded him!” and “Thanks for leading us on.” The first report I head of the Phillies’ interest in Cliff Lee was about three hours before the shocking, slap-in-the-face announcement.
Why do I describe it as such? For two weeks this has been about the Rangers and the ever-hated Yankees courting the top free-agent hurler. The Phillies were never mentioned.
The Rangers pulled out all the stops, even numerous trips to Arkansas, but on Monday night Lee called to say it wasn’t good enough, that the Rangers still couldn’t land a top-of-the-line pitcher.
So now, I can’t help but wonder what he really meant when he said he enjoyed his time in Texas. He said the same thing about the Phillies. Was it all a ruse?
The Rangers offered him more years and more money than the Phillies. The Rangers were comfortable with a five-year contract, but Lee said he wanted more. Don’t tell me this is what’s best for his family because they will be more than 1,150 miles away.
I would like to know what the Phillies did at the last minute to get Lee to sign a reported 5-year $120 million deal. Did their knight in shining pitching rubber ride in and save the day?
What’s done is done. But I take it as a snub in the face, and I don’t like it at all.
At around 11 p.m. Monday, I received notification via social media connections that Cliff Lee, the man who put the Dallas-Fort Worth area sports world on pins and needles for weeks, had signed with the Phillies.
My immediate reaction was “What, they traded him!” and “Thanks for leading us on.” The first report I head of the Phillies’ interest in Cliff Lee was about three hours before the shocking, slap-in-the-face announcement.
Why do I describe it as such? For two weeks this has been about the Rangers and the ever-hated Yankees courting the top free-agent hurler. The Phillies were never mentioned.
The Rangers pulled out all the stops, even numerous trips to Arkansas, but on Monday night Lee called to say it wasn’t good enough, that the Rangers still couldn’t land a top-of-the-line pitcher.
So now, I can’t help but wonder what he really meant when he said he enjoyed his time in Texas. He said the same thing about the Phillies. Was it all a ruse?
The Rangers offered him more years and more money than the Phillies. The Rangers were comfortable with a five-year contract, but Lee said he wanted more. Don’t tell me this is what’s best for his family because they will be more than 1,150 miles away.
I would like to know what the Phillies did at the last minute to get Lee to sign a reported 5-year $120 million deal. Did their knight in shining pitching rubber ride in and save the day?
What’s done is done. But I take it as a snub in the face, and I don’t like it at all.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Numbers Game: Mavericks 103 Jazz 97
Saturday night’s Maverick game with the Utah Jazz – the second in eight days – was definitely an edge-of-your-seat type of game. And who would have guessed that after the Mavericks took a 29-4 lead in the first quarter. Here are some of the amazing numbers from the Mavericks' performance on the annual Seats for Soldiers night at American Airlines Center.
- 12 points from Jason Terry in the final 12 minutes (including the dagger 3 with 7.9 seconds left). He had two points prior to the fourth quarter.
- 31 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists from Dirk Nowitzki
- Seven 3’s in the first quarter (3 for Dirk, 2 for DeShawn Stevenson, 2 for Caron Butler) saw the Mavericks to their 25-point lead.
- Stevenson went 5 for 7 on 3’s for the game, giving him 53.6 percent of 3’s made, a mark that ties him for first in the NBA with Mike Bibby.
- Stevenson tied his season high with 17 points on the night
- The Mavs made half their 3’s for the game in the first quarter.
- Caron Butler also went 4 of 5 on 3’s with 16 points.
The Bucks are next up on Monday.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Avery's Return Sees Maverick Win Streak To 11: Mavericks 102 Nets 89
The Mavericks have a far different roster than they did in the summer of 2006 when fiery head coach Avery Johnson, now coaching the Nets, took his team to the NBA Finals.
Despite the fact that only Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry remain from the squad five seasons ago, everyone on the court seemed to play with an extra spark as the Mavericks looked to display their continuity and why they now carry an 11-game win streak.
Former Maverick and current Net Devin Harris played under Johnson in Dallas also. He left the game after the first quarter with a sprained shoulder.
The leading scorer in the 102-89 victory over the Nets at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday was Dirk Nowitzki with 21, but the buckets were well spread out. Shawn Marion found the hoop for 18 while Caron Butler and Jason Terry each had 15. It doesn’t end there. Brendan Haywood tallied nine points and Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson and J.J. Barea each finished with six.
The Mavs shot 54.7 percent for the game compared to the Nets’ 41.6 percent. I guess they looked more human in the second half after making 65 percent of their shots in the first half and 71 percent in the first 12 minutes.
Notably, Nowitzki hit a jumper just before the first quarter buzzer to give the Mavs a double-digit lead at 30-19. They got even more heroics at the end of the half. With the Nets threatening to trim the advantage to single digits, Terry, the Mavs team leader in steals, stole the ball, passed to Butler who passed to Kidd, who connected from long range to increase the lead to 15 in the fleeting seconds of the half.
The score expanded to a 20-point lead at 60-40 in the first 1:30 minutes of the third. But TV analyst Bob Ortegal said that big leads can disappear quickly if a team doesn’t maintain its focus. With 3:43 on the clock, the lead suddenly shrunk to eight.
But the Mavs are a team full of excellent finishers and are among the leaders in fourth-quarter defense. That can get a team a lot of wins.
Note: Barea set a career high with 13 assists.
Despite the fact that only Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry remain from the squad five seasons ago, everyone on the court seemed to play with an extra spark as the Mavericks looked to display their continuity and why they now carry an 11-game win streak.
Former Maverick and current Net Devin Harris played under Johnson in Dallas also. He left the game after the first quarter with a sprained shoulder.
The leading scorer in the 102-89 victory over the Nets at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday was Dirk Nowitzki with 21, but the buckets were well spread out. Shawn Marion found the hoop for 18 while Caron Butler and Jason Terry each had 15. It doesn’t end there. Brendan Haywood tallied nine points and Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson and J.J. Barea each finished with six.
The Mavs shot 54.7 percent for the game compared to the Nets’ 41.6 percent. I guess they looked more human in the second half after making 65 percent of their shots in the first half and 71 percent in the first 12 minutes.
Notably, Nowitzki hit a jumper just before the first quarter buzzer to give the Mavs a double-digit lead at 30-19. They got even more heroics at the end of the half. With the Nets threatening to trim the advantage to single digits, Terry, the Mavs team leader in steals, stole the ball, passed to Butler who passed to Kidd, who connected from long range to increase the lead to 15 in the fleeting seconds of the half.
The score expanded to a 20-point lead at 60-40 in the first 1:30 minutes of the third. But TV analyst Bob Ortegal said that big leads can disappear quickly if a team doesn’t maintain its focus. With 3:43 on the clock, the lead suddenly shrunk to eight.
But the Mavs are a team full of excellent finishers and are among the leaders in fourth-quarter defense. That can get a team a lot of wins.
Note: Barea set a career high with 13 assists.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Depth Comes Through: Mavericks 105 Warriors 100
To sustain a 10-game winning streak, things must go your way every now and then.
Tuesday was one of those times for the Dallas Mavericks, going up against the Golden State Warriors, who are no longer coached by Don Nelson.
With Tyson Chandler sick and unable to play, the Mavericks were missing an average of 26.7 minutes and 9.3 rebounds in the middle of their lineup. After starter Brendan Haywood was tagged with two early fouls, the Mavericks put their depth on display at center.
Enter Ian Mahinmi and Alexis Ajinca. Not household names, I know.
Before Tuesday, Mahinmi had played in 12 games this season and averaged less than two points in just over four minutes per game. He threw those stats out the window. Tuesday he saw the court for an even 21 minutes and put together 12 points and 10 boards for the only Mavs’ double-double of the night.
Alexis Ajinca was only in his second game. He made an impression with six rebounds, two blocks and three points in just over nine minutes. Shawn Marion also tallied six boards. Dirk Nowitzki got four blocks and Haywood denied three balls.
Another former Mavericks’ head coach will be in town Thursday when Avery Johnson brings his 6-16 Nets to American Airlines Center.
Statistical Note: 24 lead changes and 11 ties tells you how close this game was for its entirety.
Tuesday was one of those times for the Dallas Mavericks, going up against the Golden State Warriors, who are no longer coached by Don Nelson.
With Tyson Chandler sick and unable to play, the Mavericks were missing an average of 26.7 minutes and 9.3 rebounds in the middle of their lineup. After starter Brendan Haywood was tagged with two early fouls, the Mavericks put their depth on display at center.
Enter Ian Mahinmi and Alexis Ajinca. Not household names, I know.
Before Tuesday, Mahinmi had played in 12 games this season and averaged less than two points in just over four minutes per game. He threw those stats out the window. Tuesday he saw the court for an even 21 minutes and put together 12 points and 10 boards for the only Mavs’ double-double of the night.
Alexis Ajinca was only in his second game. He made an impression with six rebounds, two blocks and three points in just over nine minutes. Shawn Marion also tallied six boards. Dirk Nowitzki got four blocks and Haywood denied three balls.
Another former Mavericks’ head coach will be in town Thursday when Avery Johnson brings his 6-16 Nets to American Airlines Center.
Statistical Note: 24 lead changes and 11 ties tells you how close this game was for its entirety.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Rose Bowl!
The Horned Frogs will spend New Years' in Pasadena, Calif., playing the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Mavs Stifle Wolves: Mavericks 100 Timberwolves 86
Centers are big and tall and for the most part, play defense.
Well, that’s what Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood did Wednesday night against the now 4-14 Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves struggle in all parts of the game, except rebounding, where they lead the NBA as a team. Forward Kevin Love is the individual leader, averaging 14.9 boards per game.
Despite early foul trouble, Chandler led all players with 18 rebounds, including 14 in the third quarter, a new Mavs’ record. Haywood, while also at center, tallied 10 rebounds. The Mavs’ outrebounded the Timberwolves 50-46 for the game. Love finished with 12.
With double-digit leads for the entirety of the second half, the regulars played fewer minutes than normal, Dirk Nowitzki, who will soon move up on the list of the NBA’s all-time scorers, played just over 23 minutes with 10 points. Caron Butler also netted 10 points in just over 20 minutes.
Shawn Marion was the Mavs’ offensive leader with 16 points, while J.J. Barea tallied 14 ‘points.
The Mavs travel to the Utah Jazz on Friday, and both teams carry seven-game win streaks into the weekend.
Steve Novak and Ian Mahinmi saw action in the final 4:08 of the fourth quarter. Novak scored his first points as a Maverick.
Well, that’s what Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood did Wednesday night against the now 4-14 Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves struggle in all parts of the game, except rebounding, where they lead the NBA as a team. Forward Kevin Love is the individual leader, averaging 14.9 boards per game.
Despite early foul trouble, Chandler led all players with 18 rebounds, including 14 in the third quarter, a new Mavs’ record. Haywood, while also at center, tallied 10 rebounds. The Mavs’ outrebounded the Timberwolves 50-46 for the game. Love finished with 12.
With double-digit leads for the entirety of the second half, the regulars played fewer minutes than normal, Dirk Nowitzki, who will soon move up on the list of the NBA’s all-time scorers, played just over 23 minutes with 10 points. Caron Butler also netted 10 points in just over 20 minutes.
Shawn Marion was the Mavs’ offensive leader with 16 points, while J.J. Barea tallied 14 ‘points.
The Mavs travel to the Utah Jazz on Friday, and both teams carry seven-game win streaks into the weekend.
Steve Novak and Ian Mahinmi saw action in the final 4:08 of the fourth quarter. Novak scored his first points as a Maverick.
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