PrintRockets vs. Mavericks Preview - November 21, 2002
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November 21, 2002
AmericanAirlines Center, 6:30 p.m.
TV: TNT
Radio: SportsRadio 610 (English); KYST 920 AM (Spanish)
by Trevor Mitchell, rockets.com
The Mavericks lineup is very balanced and their exciting up-tempo brand of basketball usually wears teams down. Dallas is currently the second highest scoring team in the league averaging 103 points per game. The Mavs are led by forward Dirk Nowitzki and their backcourt duo of Michael Finley and Steve Nash. All three players have been All-Stars in the past and their continued growth has made Dallas legitimate contenders for the NBA title.
“They’re hot and playing the best basketball in the league right now," said Rockets forward Maurice Taylor. “It’ll be a challenge, but we are playing well too and definitely feel like we can go in there and give them their first loss.”
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The Mavericks will be out for a little revenge against the Rockets when they tip off. Last April the Rockets went into Dallas and came out with a 98-95 overtime victory that ultimately denied the Mavs of clinching the division title. The Rockets will look for an encore performance tonight as they bring in one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Houston has used a number of different lineups this season. With center Kelvin Cato still working his way back into shape and rookie Yao Ming comfortable in a bench role, the Rockets may once again start Jason Collier in the middle. However, Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich may attempt to go small against the run and gun Mavericks. In this scenario, forward Eddie Griffin would switch to center and veteran Glen Rice would be inserted into the starting lineup.
The Rockets will counter Nash and Finley with their backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. These great guards may neutralize each other throughout the contest. Therefore, frontcourt play will be crucial to deciding a winner. The Mavericks have been running primarily a zone defense all season. If this is the case against the Rockets, sharpshooting forwards Glen Rice and Eddie Griffin will have plenty of opportunities to knock down outside shots.
Yao will also look to provide another great spark off the bench. The 7-5 rookie has made 21 of his last 23 shots and will see time against the 7-6 Bradley. “The only time I played against someone taller than me was when I played against my father when I was a kid," said Yao.
Look for this contest between two of the top teams in the Western Conference to be a high-scoring affair. If the Rockets bring their usual solid game and can contain one of the Mavericks' top three players, they stand an excellent chance of winning this game. Whichever team is able to find a third scorer with a hot hand should come out on top. With the Rockets' deep and versatile squad, if the Mavericks are going to lose anytime soon tonight will be the night.
Mavs - Shawn Bradley averages double figures in scoring (10.1) for the first time since the 1997-98 season ..... Ex-Rocket Walt Williams has nailed 18 three-pointers off the Mavs bench ..... Guard Michael Finley is averaging 9.3 rebounds over his last four games ..... Dirk Nowitzki has registered seven double-doubles in Dallas' 11 games ..... Dallas leads the NBA in FG% (.463) and 3PT FG% (.400).
Mavs - There's not much going wrong when you're 11-0.
