Mavericks-Warriors Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jan 31 2013 12:32AM

While the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors are hoping to have Stephen Curry available, Jarrett Jack, David Lee and Klay Thompson appear more than capable of carrying the load for the time being.

Having Andrew Bogut back should also help matters.

With Curry uncertain to suit up, Golden State tries for a sixth win in eight games Thursday night against the visiting Dallas Mavericks.

Averaging team highs of 21.0 points and 6.4 assists, Curry missed Tuesday's 108-95 win at Cleveland after twisting his right ankle the night before. It's unknown how much time Curry, who underwent surgery on that same ankle in each of the past two offseasons, is expected to miss.

The Warriors (28-17) likely aren't in any hurry to rush him back after Tuesday's win. Jack, who started in place of Curry, had 26 points and a career best-tying 12 assists while Thompson scored a career-high 32 on 13-of-24 shooting.

"I had to channel my inner Stephen Curry," said Jack, averaging 17.0 points and 8.9 assists over his last eight games.

Lee also came up big Tuesday with 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Golden State, which went a season-best 11 for 16 (68.8 percent) from 3-point range.

"That's a big-time win," coach Mark Jackson said after watching his team wrap up a 2-2 road trip. "That's a statement game for us. I'm extremely proud of my guys. It would've been very easy to chalk one up (a loss) because we were short-handed, but I challenged them - and they stepped up."

The Warriors were also without Carl Landry (left shoulder contusion), starting forward Harrison Barnes (knee) and Bogut on Tuesday. While Landry and Barnes are both uncertain to return Thursday, Bogut is expected back.

"No matter who is out there, we're still going to play Warriors basketball," Lee said.

After missing 38 straight games due to a troublesome left ankle, Bogut returned to post 12 points, eight boards and four blocks in 24 minutes during Monday's 114-102 win at Toronto. The former No. 1 overall pick, who likely won't play in back-to-back games until after the All-Star break, could become a difference maker down low for Golden State, which is averaging 37.9 points in the paint and 4.1 blocks to rank near the bottom of the league in both categories.

"It's been a long season for me so far, a frustrating season both mentally and physically," he said Monday. "Just to be out there running up and down the court again, and especially getting a win, was very satisfying."

The Mavericks (19-26) surely felt just the opposite as they opened a four-game trek with Tuesday's last-second 106-104 loss at Portland. Dirk Nowitzki compiled a season-high 26 points to lead all five starters in double figures, but Dallas was outscored 12-3 over the final 1:37, including LaMarcus Aldridge's game-winning turnaround jumper at the buzzer.

"We make those mistakes, especially on the road, and you are going to get bit," Nowitzki said. "This type of loss is about as tough as it gets in the league. We played well enough to win it. We found a way to lose, instead of finding a way to win. That's the sad thing."

The Mavericks figure to be in for another tough test against a Warriors team that's won 13 of 17 at home.

Golden State had dropped six straight in the series before taking three of the last five, including a 105-101 overtime win at Dallas on Nov. 19. Curry had 31 points in that game while Thompson finished with seven on 2-of-14 shooting.

The Warriors are 17-2 when Thompson shoots at least 42.0 percent from the field compared to 11-15 when he doesn't.

Lee, Thompson help Warriors beat Mavericks 100-97

By RICK EYMER
Posted Feb 01 2013 2:51AM

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Although Klay Thompson won't admit it, without Stephen Curry on the court, Golden State depends on him even more for offensive production. He turned in another big night.

David Lee finished an assist short of a triple-double, Thompson scored 27 points and the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 100-97 Thursday night.

"I have the same mindset going in. I try to score, be a play maker and play some defense," Thompson said. "I'm going to take those shots any way."

Thompson connected on 11 of his first 14 shots two days after scoring a career-high 32 points in the Warriors' 108-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"He's a knockdown shooter, as good as it gets, and he defends his tail off," Warriors' coach Mark Jackson said. "He knows without Curry on the floor we need him to score more."

Lee had 15 points, a season-high 20 rebounds and nine assists, and Jarrett Jack scored 13 points, including two free throws with 2 seconds left to help the Warriors win their third straight. Harrison Barnes had 12 points.

Andrew Bogut, in his second game since returning from injury, was also a big factor for the Warriors. In limited playing time, he had three blocked shots, including one when the Mavericks had a chance to win the game in the final seconds.

"You have to pick and choose your spots," he said. "Defense is where I am most valuable to this team."

O.J. Mayo scored 25 points to lead the Mavericks, who dropped their second straight. Vince Carter added 22 points and Shawn Marion 18 as Dallas failed to reach 100 points for the first time in 10 games.

Dallas lost in Portland two nights ago when Mayo was called for a charge with under 2 seconds to play, giving LeMarcus Aldridge the chance to sink a basket at the buzzer.

"The game came down to the call that wasn't made," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "Brandan Wright got hit in the arm. And it's obvious. It's two nights in a row. It's very tough to take, with as hard as our guys are fighting, to not be on the free throw line with a chance to go ahead with 6 seconds left in the game."

Wright avoided the subject.

"We've been getting some tough calls lately, but I'm going to stay out of that," he said. "I'm not in the business of getting fined, so I'm going to leave it at what he said. But you guys have seen the play, so you be the judge."

The Mavericks played without Dirk Nowitzki, who sat out with a right abductor strain.

Richard Jefferson scored five points as the Warriors scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter to open a 90-79 advantage.

The Mavericks missed their first five shots of the fourth and went scoreless for the first 3:13 before Carter made a pair of free throws to spark a run that evened the score at 92 when Darren Collison hit a short jumper with 4:17 remaining to play.

Jack hit a 3-pointer in front of the Mavericks bench less than a minute later and glanced at the Dallas bench afterward.

The Warriors, who never trailed, upped their lead when Wright was called for a rough foul on Bogut, who tumbled to the court. After reviewing the play, he was also charged with a technical foul.

"I'm always on the floor," Bogut said. "It's the way I play. I was taking a little breather there. Everything is fine."

Dallas again rallied and had a chance to tie it with 43 seconds left. Mayo made one of his two free throws to make it 98-97.

Jack and Lee each missed a shot on the other end and the Mavericks worked the clock to under 4 seconds. Wright attempted a shot that Bogut blocked to seal the win.

The Warriors led 55-53 at halftime, and Rodrigue Beaubois hit a long 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to pull the Mavericks to 80-79 entering the final period.

Carl Landry, who finished with 10 points, gave the Warriors their biggest lead of the first half when he made two free throws just over 2 minutes into the second quarter.

The Mavericks lost their second straight to Golden State after winning eight of the previous 10.

NOTES: Lee reached the 8,000-point mark for his career, becoming the sixth-youngest active to player to record 8,000 points and 5,000 rebounds. ... Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is two wins shy of 500. ... Curry (right ankle sprain) sat out his second straight game, though coach Mark Jackson indicated before the game that the injury is of "no concern." ... Mayo is the only Maverick to start all 46 games and Thompson is the lone Warrior to start all 46.

Notebook: Warriors 100, Mavericks 97

Geoff Lepper, for NBA.com
Posted Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:43 AM - Updated Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:43 AM

THE FACTS: Coming off a career-high scoring performance in his last game, Klay Thompson nearly topped that Thursday, providing 27 points as the Golden State Warriors held on for a 100-97 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

David Lee fell one assist short of a triple-double, with 15 points, 20 rebounds and nine dishes to help make up for the absence of point guard Stephen Curry, sitting out for a second straight night with a sprained right ankle.

O.J. Mayo tallied 25 points, six assists and five boards to help the Mavericks make a go of it despite playing without star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who missed the game due to a right adductor strain. Starting center Chris Kaman also was absent due to a concussion suffered Monday in practice.

QUOTABLE: "At the end of the day, that is a game we lose last year. We made the plays we had to make."
-- Warriors coach Mark Jackson

THE STAT: The Warriors never trailed, but it was hardly a classic wire-to-wire victory. After allowing a 12-0 run to open the fourth quarter, Dallas scored 13 straight points of their own to force a 92-all tie with 4:15 left. Jarrett Jack's 3-pointer with 3:50 left got Golden State back on top for good.

TURNING POINT: The game wasn't sealed until Golden State center Andrew Bogut, starting just his second game since November, rejected a go-ahead try by former Warrior big man Brandan Wright with 6.2 seconds left -- a play the Mavericks thought was more foul than block. Jarrett Jack secured the rebound, was fouled and hit both free throws for a 100-97 lead with 2.0 seconds remaining. Vince Carter's spinning 29-footer at the final buzzer fell short, leaving the Mavericks to stew over the officiating for a second straight game; Dallas felt hard done Tuesday by a charging call on Mayo with 1.5 seconds remaining against Portland. Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge took the ensuing possession and drained a buzzer-beater to lock up a 106-104 victory.

QUOTABLE II: "The game came down to the call that wasn't made. Brandan Wright got hit in the arm. And it's obvious. It's two nights in a row. It's very tough to take, with as hard as our guys are fighting, to not be on the free-throw line with a chance to go ahead with 6 seconds left in the game. ... I've never been one to make it about the officials, so I don't want to wallow in this too much, but it's a fact: Two nights in a row, missed calls have really hurt us, and we're really disappointed by it."
-- Dallas coach Rick Carlisle

HOT: Making a second consecutive start in place of Curry, Jack shone in the fourth quarter, nailing all five free throws and providing eight of Golden State's 20 points in the period.

NOT: Carter, though he finished with 22 points, went 1-for-6 in the final quarter, part of a 6-for-18 night.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Moving back to power forward with Nowitzki unavailable, Shawn Marion collected a season-high 17 rebounds and went 8-for-11 from the floor to score 18 points.

GOOD MOVE: The Mavericks drew up a stellar play to finish the first half, having the 36-year-old Carter pull up in the right-hand corner, acting as though he was too hurt to partake in the play. Too hurt, that is, until he snuck down the baseline, took a pass from Elton Brand and exploded for a stanchion-rattling, two-handed dunk with 0.5 seconds remaining.

ROOKIE WATCH: Harrison Barnes was one of only two Warriors to play the entire fourth quarter, and finished with 12 points, four rebounds and five assists.

NOTABLE: Nowitzki said he strained his thigh late in the Mavericks' loss Tuesday. He tested the leg before the game but pulled himself out when he couldn't go side to side or make hard cuts effectively. Nowitzki doubted he'd be available Friday when Dallas faces Phoenix, but said he doesn't think the injury is related to his knee surgery, which held him out until Dec. 23. "It's just Father Time, bro," Nowitzki said. "Stuff happens. I never pulled a muscle in my whole career. There's always a first one." . . . The capacity crowd of 19,596 represented the Warriors' 12th consecutive sellout at Oracle Arena. That's ties the club's longest such streak since the stadium was renovated in 1995-96. . . . Lee became the sixth youngest active player to reach 8,000 points and 5,000 rebounds for his NBA career.

UP NEXT: For the Mavericks, Friday @ Phoenix, Monday @ Oklahoma City, Wednesday vs. Portland. For the Warriors, Saturday vs. Phoenix, Tuesday @ Houston, Wednesday @ Oklahoma City.

• Mavericks: Cunningham, Kaman
• Warriors: Curry, Rush

• Mavericks: Carter, Wright
• Warriors: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, CA
• Officials: #65 Sean Wright, #34 Kevin Cutler, #55 Bill Kennedy
• Attendance: 19596
• Duration: 2:35