Not much buzz, but good vibrations for Dallas Mavericks
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:43 pm
The Mavericks found their way into the playoffs Thursday night in one of the best games of the season. And they found the right way to get in.
Dallas' 97-94 victory over the very tough Utah Jazz gave Dallas 50 wins and a ticket to the postseason. And for some reason, it feels like a winning ticket.
Coach Avery Johnson says Dirk Nowitzki won't be 100 percent at any time in the playoffs. He thinks he will simply have to play too many minutes on a not completely healed knee and ankle.
He knows Jerry Stackhouse won't be 100 percent. Stackhouse may just get a few minutes in the final regular-season game to tune up for the postseason.
And Johnson knows, too, that the Mavericks will open the playoffs on the road against a higher seed.
"It's a [tough] climb, but if Dirk is 85 percent and can give us 32 good minutes a night, we'll take that," Johnson said.
It all sounds so pessimistic. Limited minutes from key players. Needing to win on the road. Far fewer victories achieved than a year ago.
But for some reason, there is a positive vibe about this team because of the way it has battled since making the Jason Kidd trade and struggling initially.
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