Game #45: Dallas Mavericks (19-25) @ Trail Blazers (22-22)

Raptorel · Post #2 » by **Raptorel** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:02 am

Great starting center picture.

branny · Post #3 » by **branny** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:03 am

Raptorel wrote:Great starting center picture.

Imon · Post #4 » by **Imon** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:06 pm

Yeah, I have to say I got a chuckle out of seeing the center spot. Although only Kaman and James are centers, Brand and Wright are PFs converted to centers by Carlisle.
On second thought ... it's kind of sad that we don't have this position locked down halfway through the season. I really hope that someone brings stability to this spot on our starting 5.

Anyways ESPN Dallas reports that Chris Kaman sustained an unspecified possible head injury and missed shoot-around in Portland today. His status for the game is still to be determined.
If this "head injury" is one that could possibly result in a concussion I doubt we'll see Kaman at all today but we don't know the nature of this injury so we'll just have to wait and see.

RvM · Post #5 » by **RvM** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:13 pm

Great GT!

This game is going to be tough, especially since the Blazers are usually tough at home. We absolutely need this win because currently we're tied with the Lakers for 10th in the West, but they've got the easier schedule coming up, and we need this win against the Blazers, currently 9th in the West.

I'd have Brand match up with Aldrige and Marion on Batum because that guy has been killing it the past few weeks. This is going to be a tough game, but I hope we win.

RH5 · Post #6 » by **RH5** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:24 pm

i gotta work tonight and will only catch 4th quarter which is the most important if its a close game

but yeah i keep getting rick rolled by carlise, my past gamethreads had the wrong starting center cause he keeps playing musical chairs

Raptorel · Post #7 » by **Raptorel** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:02 am

Let me get this straight: RH5 and RvM are NOT the same person, right?

Imon · Post #8 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:03 am

I got to admit, I'm a bit worried about this game.
I do believe it's winnable but what makes me nervous is that the Blazers have a strong home crowd and they've beat some elite teams at home like San Antonio, Miami, and the Clippers.
They also have a very solid starting 5. Lillard looks like the runaway ROY, Aldridge we all know is a very versatile PF, Wesley has made some big shots this year, and Batum is like Klay Thompson on steroids.
Our one big advantage over Portland is our bench. I'm sure the Mavs realize this and I hope Carlisle will continue to sub in fresh legs to keep the energy on the Portland starting five.
I think out of every team in the league the Blazers play their starters the most minutes. It's unreal - Lillard, Batum, and Aldridge all average 38+ minutes every night. Wesley Matthews averages about 35 and Hickson about 30 minutes.
Compare that to our team we only have two starters who play 30+ minutes a night Mayo (35) and Collison (31) while Dirk and Marion hover just under 30 minutes a night. In fact, Vince, who comes off the bench, gets the 5th most minutes on this team.

Imon · Post #9 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:11 am

OK,
So it's official, Kaman is out indefinitely because of concerns about a concussion. Pau Gasol earlier this year missed 5 games before he was cleared to play. We'll see how this one goes.

As for the starting center it's Sarge again.

Imon · Post #10 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:36 am

Great way to end the 1st.
A high scoring quarter, wished we play better defense, but funny to see Dirk bust out the hook shot :lol:

We need to make our run when Portland brings out their bench.

EntropyPR · Post #11 » by **EntropyPR** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:50 am

The only streams that don't lag are the ones with portland announcers :evil:

Imon · Post #12 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:53 am

EntropyPR wrote:The only streams that don't lag are the ones with portland announcers

Yeah, I usually watch streams because I like to hang around my computer but I like Mark, Harp, and Skin so I'm actually sitting in front of my TV - a rarity these days.

Oh, and I live in the DFW area so I get the Mavs games.

Imon · Post #13 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:03 am

Man, we can't miss...

Also, I love how Carlisle is using our biggest strength, our depth, against the Blazers by subbing guys in regularly to inject some energy into the game.

Vinsane15 · Post #14 » by **Vinsane15** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:07 am

Keep it up Collison!!!

Imon · Post #15 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:11 am

Oh, and by the way, we ended the first half with 6 players on the court. The Blazers missed the technical shot though.

Shaqtin' a Fool here we come. :cry:

Derp Nowitzki · Post #16 » by **Derp Nowitzki** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:31 am

Collison really impressing me tonight. Man, I love that little guy.

EntropyPR · Post #17 » by **EntropyPR** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:37 am

Something I've noticed, with this game and the last against Portland, Dallas does a GREAT job containing Lillard.

Imon · Post #18 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:43 am

EntropyPR wrote:Something I've noticed, with this game and the last against Portland, Dallas does a GREAT job containing Lillard.

Yeah, and Batum is having a quiet game. I expected him to have a good game. He's had two triple doubles in the past four games. Looks like we're dodging two bullets in this game.

Imon · Post #19 » by **Imon** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:47 am

Uggh. This 3rd quarter sucks.

Derp Nowitzki · Post #20 » by **Derp Nowitzki** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:51 am

wow... that 3rd quarter was just sad.