Practice report: Marion's status vs. T-Wolves undetermined, Mavs cut ties with DoJo
Practice report (03/09/13)
Marion's status vs. T-Wolves undetermined, Mavs cut ties with DoJo
MINNEAPOLIS — Just hours following their hard-fought 102-99 win in Detroit to begin a four-game road trip, the Dallas Mavericks were right back on the practice court Saturday at the Target Center, where they will face off on Sunday for a fourth time this season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Holding on late to send the Pistons to a fifth straight home loss even without the services of four-time All-Star Shawn Marion while he sat out the game due to a left calf contusion, the Mavericks (28-33) more than picked up the slack without the versatile forward as seven players scored in double figures. Sunday, however, the Mavs may once again need that balance while trying to take down a Minnesota team they’ve fallen to two out of their three previous meetings this season, perhaps again taking the court minus Marion after he was relegated to spot shooting and riding an exercise bike Saturday while his teammates prepared on the court.
Playing through an injury he sustained in the first period of Wednesday’s 112-108 win over Houston while sharing the team-high scoring honors with 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki as both posted 22 points apiece, Marion admittedly couldn’t battle his way through the sore calf two days later. Now, the 6-foot-7 defensive specialist hopes to be ready to go as the Mavs try to claim a third straight win while splitting the season series with the Timberwolves (21-37).
“It’s feeling better, so I’m just going to take it day by day. That’s it,” Marion said of the injury.
He added: “It happens. You know, I played through it, but it was real painful. It was real stiff and it was too painful for me to deal with afterwards. Other than that, I’m OK.”
Making three starts in his 29 appearances for the Mavs this season, Jones struggled to maintain constant playing time in a crowded backcourt. In three seasons for the Mavs, Jones appeared in 80 games, averaging 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 9.1 minutes an outing.
Now, with a free roster spot, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle believes the organization could look at adding another piece to the puzzle as the team tries to make a push towards the playoffs over the final 21 games of the regular season.
“Well, from an organizational standpoint, it’s a move that gives us some flexibility till the end of the year. We can look at some different guys, and so that’s the thinking,” Carlisle explained. “It was time to make this move.”
Note: The Mavs will continue their road trip in Minnesota, taking on the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Timberwolves lead the season series 2-1. The game will air locally Sunday at 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Southwest.
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