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**croco** · 04-02-2008, 02:08 AM

Golden State Warriors [45-29] @ Dallas Mavericks [46-29]
| Wednesday, April 02 2008 | Dallas, Texas | American Airlines Center | 9:30 pm ET |
| TV: ESPN | Radio: KESN-FM 103.3

Game Notes

Dirk Nowitzki took a lot of heat for his performance in the playoffs last season, when his Dallas Mavericks were eliminated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors.

To avoid suffering another blow at the hands of the Warriors, Nowitzki might try to make an early return from a leg injury.

Nowitzki will be re-evaluated Wednesday in hopes of being cleared to play at night as the Mavericks host the Warriors in a crucial matchup between Western Conference contenders trying to get back to the playoffs.

Nowitzki injured his knee and ankle on an awkward fall in Dallas’ loss to San Antonio on March 23. The team said its leading scorer and rebounder would be sidelined indefinitely, with most estimates ranging around two weeks.

With a playoff spot on the line, however, Dallas (46-28) might not be able to afford to have the league’s reigning MVP miss any more time.

The Mavericks have fallen to seventh place in the loaded Western Conference race, a half-game ahead of the eighth-place Denver Nuggets and one game ahead of the Warriors (45-29), who would be out of the playoff picture if the postseason started today.

This game - the finale of the season series between these clubs - could give Dallas the playoff tiebreaker should it and Golden State finish with an identical record. The Mavericks won the first two meetings before falling 114-104 in Oakland on Sunday while playing without Nowitzki.

“We’re in control of our own destiny. All we have to do is get better on defense and keep moving the ball on offense,” said Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, whose team has split four games since Nowitzki went down. “If we can get some of the same performances we’re getting out of guys now without Dirk, when he gets back, we can be a pretty good team.”

Johnson was likely referring to Jason Kidd and Josh Howard, who stepped up as Dallas beat the Los Angeles Clippers 93-86 on Monday night. Kidd had 27 points and went 9-for-15 from the field in that game, and Howard added 25 points and eight rebounds.

“This was a big win on the road because of the position we’re in,” Kidd said after his highest-scoring game with the Mavericks. “…With Dirk out, I’m just looking to be more aggressive and look for my shot. The coach and my teammates have been encouraging me to be aggressive and maybe score a little bit more than in the past.”

While each win counts in the tight playoff race, the Mavericks can’t be encouraged that they’re 0-10 against teams with winning records since acquiring Kidd from New Jersey in a blockbuster trade during the All-Star break.

That doesn’t bode well for this game against Golden State. The Warriors, however, have merely split their last 12 games. They shot just 37.5 percent from the field and had their streak of 37 games with at least 100 points snapped with a 116-92 loss at San Antonio on Tuesday night.

Golden State hadn’t been held to a double-figure point total since its 109-91 loss at Portland on Jan. 9.

“The shots they were giving us we could not make,” Warriors coach Don Nelson said.

The good news for Nelson is that his club has dropped back-to-back games just once since it opened the season 0-6. The Warriors lost at Dallas on Jan. 2, then fell at home against New Orleans on Jan. 4.

Warriors captain Stephen Jackson, held to six points and 2-for-12 shooting in Tuesday’s loss, is confident his team can bounce back again.

“This one was definitely tough, but we’re a tough team,” Jackson said. “We’ve got another game tomorrow and we’ve got to be ready to play that one. We still have a chance to get in (the playoffs) and our focus is getting in.”

Starting Lineups

Jason Kidd - Jason Terry - Josh Howard - Malik Allen - Erick Dampier

vs.

Baron Davis - Monta Ellis - Kelenna Azubuike - Stephen Jackson - Al Harrington

Injuries
Mavs: Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle and knee) and Jerry Stackhouse (right groin) are day-to-day.
Warriors: Mickael Pietrus (right groin muscle) is day-to-day.

**croco** · 04-02-2008, 02:11 AM

The three Js starting once again

VeN · 04-02-2008, 10:26 PM

we actually won, dirk came back, but had an off night

southeasy · 04-03-2008, 12:40 AM

Howard killed it, had that string of bad games, but now he's getting acclimated (no RJ), 3 games of 30+ and now two good all-around games with 25 & 28. Terry hit shots, Kidd dished 17 & Dick Nowitz was alright on an off night.

**croco** · 04-03-2008, 02:13 AM

Wow, this came out of nowhere. Hopefully Avery was really playing and not just joking after the game, that would be the first good sign in a while. They need to continue to play with this kind of energy, very impressive win.

**xray** · 04-03-2008, 04:31 AM

Are they fighting their way to the front of the execution line? It was a good win, but I'll be more impressed if they continue against the Lakers and Suns.

**edwardcyh** · 04-03-2008, 10:08 AM

This just confirms yet again what an idiot AJ is:

Against GSW,

game #1: Damp was hurt, and DAL won in the final minutes by 5 pt.
game #2: Damp played 26+ min, and DAL won in blowout fashion.
game #3: Damp played 12+ min, and DAL LOST in the final minutes (ended up losing by 10).
game #4: Damp played 27+ min, and DAL won in blowout fashion.

**edwardcyh** · 04-03-2008, 10:12 AM

My point is...... DAMP is a BEAST protecting the basket, and he's AT LEAST good for 6 fouls and grabbing 10 or so boards.

The two outings that GSW and DAL had it fairly close, Damp didn't get to play. In the other two outings, Damp helped DAL in blowouts.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this thing out, eh?

**Ninjatune** · 04-03-2008, 11:06 AM

Wow. They looked like the Mavs of old.

I know that they are just toying with me and attempting to get my hopes up again. Not gonna happen. A game like this against the Lakers tomorrow might make me watch an entire game. AJ is a freaking moron. If he sits Damp any more I'll shoot him myself.

**thaKEAF** · 04-03-2008, 11:08 AM

Yeah don't put those guns away quite yet Mavs fans.

**edwardcyh** · 04-03-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaKEAF

Yeah don't put those guns away quite yet Mavs fans.

I think guns are still the preferred method around here. Imagine trying to do the same with a Bowie knife for a slow and painful death....

VeN · 04-03-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjatune

Wow. They looked like the Mavs of old.

I know that they are just toying with me and attempting to get my hopes up again. Not gonna happen. A game like this against the Lakers tomorrow might make me watch an entire game. AJ is a freaking moron. If he sits Damp any more I'll shoot him myself.

what an 180 dallas has pulled. now we NEED damp.. dunno wtf they were doing giving up diop. i wonder why he regressed so much this season. coaching maybe? he recently told some reporter he was ordered to dish to dirk each time instead of shoot.

**edwardcyh** · 04-03-2008, 12:20 PM

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/desagana_diop/index.html

I am pretty sure NJN won't be resigning Diop to play 4, 3, or 9 min/game, so we can have him back to take up another roster spot during offseason....

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