The game against the Mavs in one of the most important games of this young season. The Mavs are starting to click and the Rockets have been. Should be an awesome game just hope JVG has the boys up and ready to go. I have a feeling it will go down to the wire and we will steal it with our D in the end. Go Rocks my prediction: Rocks: 96 Mavs: 90
If we can beat the Mavericks AND hold them to 70 to points or less, THEN I would definately say that we have, by far, the best defense in the league.
if we hold the mavs to UNDER 70 points, i'll post unflattering pictures of myself in compromising situations. honestly, that's reeealllyyy wishful thinkng. they murdered the hornets tonight.
I think this is game is a good test. If Yao put up 7 shots again and rox can still stay with Dallas, then I'd say go for it, I won't mind Yao's shots any more. Plus Dallas just had 40 assists in the Hornets game, I think that's huge.
I think 85 or less is more realistic. If we do that, then we win. We have to slow down the pace of the game--I think our defense can stop their half court offense; we have to limit the turnovers and points in transition.
70 or less????????? No bloody way........ Just beating the Mavs away would be a minor miracle at this point. If they do both then I will do...do...what? How about a bet ppl?
It's gonna be a tough job. Look at this: "...... Dallas had 40 assists in Tuesday night's 125-97 win over New Orleans, including 15 on its first 17 baskets....."
couldn't wait for clutch's thread to post with the rest of the mortals, eh, Mr. Premature Threadstarter?
I would focus more on stopping Nash than I would Dirk. Dirk on Nash: "He was controlling the game, getting everybody involved," Nowitzki said. "He was our MVP last season and that hasn't changed. We have so many weapons, we don't have to force shots. When we have 40 assists, that pretty much says it all." It will be interesting to see how much Steve's defense has improved and whether he learned anything from watching Nash exploit him last year. If we don't stop Nash from creating havoc, then it will be almost impossible to beat Big D.
Heres an interesting stat. Although Dallas is pretty much regarded as the worst defensive team in the league, they were #5 in turnovers forced last year. The Rockets, averaged close to 20 in our four meeting last year. Seeing as how turnovers have been a bit of a problem at times this year, and given the fact that there is no way the Mavs are going to let Dirk or Fortson guard Yao one on one (if they don't front), then it will be extremely important for our guards to take care of the ball while exploiting the attention that Yao is sure to receive.
No excuses. We do not need to hold Dallas to 70 to be the best defensive team. It is not even close, we are the best defensive team already.
Another interesting stat which is probably my first area of concern. We are dead last in FGA which may be due to our high turnover rate and our style of sitting on the clock, despite the ball movement and player movement and reduced dribbling. I guess it could be said that we force the opposition, based on our defense, to take more and more of the clock trying to get a good shot. It could be a combination of all three reasons: our TO's, our defense, and our relatively deliberate offense.
I have a feeling that Jeff is going to take Adrian Griffin out of IR for this game guys... We need the D to step it up...
I could care less if we hold them to under 70. A win against the Mav's, whether its a triple overtime 290-289 scorefest or a 60-59 turnover lovefest, will legitimize our team in the eyes of all the critics.
Can't wait to watch this game, the best offense against the best defense. The Mavs have the upperhand given that: - they have home court advantage. - on a 2 game winning streaks against very good teams (Spurs & Hornets). - a more potent offense, featuring at leat 3 diffrerent top scorers (Nowitzki/Walker/Jamison) for games until today and Nash who can disrupt a team's defense. - Rockets are turnover-prone. However, I think there's still a good chance that we might win: - we are the stingiest team in points allowed. - Yao should win the matchups against Forston/Bradley/Najera, and he should be energized by playing Bradley. - Mobley is on a hot streak. - We have an equally good, if not deeper bench. Let's beat the Mavs!
Keep the Mavs under 90 points and your going to win as long as you hit your shots and you will get them too becuase their D suks
Yao will be double team tonight and that gives the open man behind the arc a lot of open shots, Rocks took over 20 3PTS. shots against the Heat. Rocks 98 Mavs 88
Last year we were able to build up leads against Dallas but would falter under a barrage of their outside shooting as games would progress - especially coming out of halftime. I'm not yet sure if we can win tomorrow, but at least we have a chance b/c this year we have a coach who is capable of making in-game adjustments.
