Uphill fight could be good way to start playoffs

[HMFFL]

"It's basically a complete opposite [from last season]," Dirk Nowitzki said. "But, you know, I don't mind it this way. We have to fight and find our rhythm. Last year, we really didn't have a meaningful game since March. Then, once the playoffs started, we weren't sharp at all on both ends on the floor.

"We're going to keep the pedal to the metal and then hopefully we can gain some confidence in these last few games and be a dangerous team during the playoffs."

As the Jazz and Mavs get set for their final meeting of the season at American Airlines Center tonight, both teams are trying to keep the momentum flowing.

Unlike last season, the Jazz appear to be peaking, and the Mavericks, after wins over Golden State, Phoenix and Seattle during their past four games, are beginning to feel like they're also on course.

Utah has won seven of eight and four in a row.

The Jazz's margin of victory in those seven is 21.7 points and includes a 42-point win over Washington, 26 against San Antonio and 11 against New Orleans.

The Jazz, fourth in the tight and wild West, have an outside shot of moving up to second and a possible first-round matchup against the Mavs, who have won two in a row and four out of five after a rough start with Jason Kidd.

"The matchups in the first round, you don't really want to play anybody," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "I don't know who really wants to play us."

Sloan said the same about first-round matchups and the Mavs, who he said he wasn't buying as supposed underdogs.

But, the Mavs will be. Practically locked into the seventh seed, the bigger difference for the them this season is that for the first time under Johnson, they are a different team in April than they were in February.

So this final week is a continuation of the evolutionary process, especially on offense as the Mavs implement more motion into their half-court sets.

The Mavs finally seem to be comfortable with how they must play at both ends.

Kidd is posting up more and the Mavs are running more cutters to keep players and the ball moving, and they've tuned up the defense.

They're in a position to end the regular season on a roll.

"You never know," Utah point guard Deron Williams said. "You look at a team like San Antonio.

"They seem to peak right at the right time going into the playoffs and they continue it. Some teams, they have a strong season and then get eliminated in the first round."

Some do.

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[DDansby123]

Seems like somebody on these boards said this a few weeks ago...who could that have been?

[dirkforpres]

Theres no such thing as an easy 1st round matchup in the the West. The Mavs are definately playing great in April though and I hope teams keep overlooking us in the conference.

[JES12]

Seems like somebody on these boards said this a few weeks ago...who could that have been?

Nah, I read these boards all the time and don't know who you are talking about.


Still want to see it in the playoffs.

Also, there were several people who said Dirk going down to injury was a blessing in disguise.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

@ JES12