luther

Jason Kidd with the Mavs in Minnesota tonight.

It's a 6-6 game early on. Brewer has played nice defense on Josh Howard on several possessions.

luther

Nice opening quarter, with Dallas up 24-23 on the strength of a buzzer-beating Kidd 3-pointer. McCants has come in and brought some hustle and a few points, and Jefferson and Gomes have accounted for more than half the MN points.

Avalanche

Still not totally sure why Telfair is starting over Mccants... i thought they were adament on having Foye as a PG

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luther

My guesses are that 1) Telfair has a better than 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio this month, and 2) they probably figure it is easier to ease Foye back in as a SG, as opposed to making him be a primary ball-handler right off the bat.

In some ways, I like McCants as a 6th man, because with his sometimes shot-happy mentality, that can prevent the team from focusing on getting it to Jefferson early, which is essential.

Avalanche

True, but i think the key is trying to get mccants consistant... as opposed to having him come off the bench and being hit or miss.

Tonight shows that when mccants and Jefferson are firing we can hang with anyone...

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luther

Absolutely.

What I've noticed with McCants is that his overall play is so dependent on his shot falling, and that's part of why I think of him as a good 6th man candidate. But if he could maintain the defensive intensity that he showed last year (when his overall game was pretty bad as he came back, but he REALLY put in a defensive effort most nights) regardless of his shot falling, and remember who the #1 option is (Hint: not him), then he's absolutely the better choice.

luther

Dallas is on a tremendous run and now leads 62-52. I'd like to see Jaric and McCants replace Gomes and Telfair, as that lineup really played well earlier. They need some hustle, penetration and defense.

Avalanche

Foye/Mccants/Gomes/Jefferson/Theo need to be on the floor...

falling behind in the 3rd

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Avalanche

Back to within 3

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luther

I know I may come off as something of a Jaric backer sometimes, but I think he adds a lot of value sometimes, and tonight is one of those nights. He's playing a good game, being disruptive offensively, rebounding and doing some nice things on offense (except that one bad shot late in the first half). I'd take him on the court over Gomes tonight, depending on whom he's got to guard.

Avalanche

only 1/3 from 3 for the entire game so far

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luther

33% isn't awful from 3, and he's 50% overall. And there is more to the game than 3-point shooting.

Avalanche

nah man... i meant for the entire team lol, wasnt a jaric jab
only 1 made 3 is surprising

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luther

Funny, I think they're all Marko!

Avalanche

and that'll do it... come up short in the crunch again