SB Nation Dallas - Mavericks Finally Win On The Road, Finish Off Blazers In Sixhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2011-04-29T05:07:47-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18747852011-04-29T05:07:47-05:002011-04-29T05:07:47-05:00NBA Playoffs: Dallas Mavericks Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Schedule
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<p>The <span class="caps">NBA</span> has released the complete schedule for the Western Conference Semifinal between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. The series will begin Monday, May 2 in LA at 9:30 <span class="caps">CDT</span> on <span class="caps">TNT</span>. The <span class="caps">NBA</span> chose to give the two veteran teams an evenly spaced, day-on, day-off schedule with an extra day before a potential Game 7. <span class="caps">TNT</span>, <span class="caps">ESPN</span> and <span class="caps">ABC</span> will all carry games in the series.</p>
<p>Game 1 – Mon May 2, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. <span class="caps">CDT</span>, <span class="caps">TNT</span><br>
Game 2 – Wed May 4, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. <span class="caps">CDT</span>, <span class="caps">TNT</span><br>
Game 3 – Fri May 6, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, <span class="caps">TBD</span>, <span class="caps">ESPN</span><br>
Game 4 – Sun May 8, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. <span class="caps">CDT</span>, <span class="caps">ABC</span><br>
Game 5 – Tue May 10, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, <span class="caps">TBD</span>, <span class="caps">TNT</span><br>
Game 6 – Thu May 12, L.A. Lakers at Dallas, <span class="caps">TBD</span>, <span class="caps">ESPN</span><br>
Game 7 – Sun May 15, Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 2:30 p.m. <span class="caps">CDT</span>, <span class="caps">ABC</span></p>
<p>See the full Eastern Conference Semifinals schedule <a href="http://www.nba.com/2011/playoffs/2011/04/13/schedule/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2" target="new">here</a>. The remaining Western Conference Semifinal is to be determined, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> will take on the winner of the series between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>. Memphis leads the series 3-2.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/29/2141824/nba-playoff-schedule-dallas-mavericks-vs-los-angeles-lakersBrett Perryman2011-04-29T04:56:45-05:002011-04-29T04:56:45-05:00Dirk Nowitzki Leads Mavericks Past Blazers, 103-96
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> went back to Portland for Game 6 having won just two of their last 20 playoff road games and none of their four in Portland this season. Consider both demons exorcised. After a slow start, Dallas took advantage of <span>Gerald Wallace</span> leaving the game for most of the second quarter with back tightness and outscored the Blazers 33-16 in the second quarter to take a lead they would not relinquish.</p>
<p><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> did his best work in that second frame, pulling the Mavs from an eight-point deficit after one with 8-11 shooting in the first half. Nowitzki also finished 11-11 from the line and pulled down 11 rebounds in addition to his 33.</p>
<p><span>Jason Terry</span> and <span>Shawn Marion</span> both rolling in the third, helping Dallas reach an 19-point lead. Terry was 9-16 from the field for 22 points and added eight assists. His 20+ point game was his fourth of the series off of the bench. Marion was the only other Maverick in double figures, finishing with 16.</p>
<p>The Blazers would not go away quietly, narrowing the score to 86-85 with half of the fourth quarter remaining behind Wallace (32 points, 12 rebounds) and <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> (24 and 10). Images of the Mavericks’ Game 4 collapse returned, but <span>Jason Kidd</span> hit a three-pointer to stretch the lead back to four, and Dallas methodically stretched the lead to safety.</p>
<p>Dallas will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> in the second round, after LA finished off New Orleans 98-80 in their own Game 6.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/29/2141822/dirk-nowitzki-leads-mavericks-past-blazers-103-96Brett Perryman2011-04-28T13:24:26-05:002011-04-28T13:24:26-05:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers, Game 6: Dallas Can Advance With Thursday Victory
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, 3-2, in their first-round <span class="caps">NBA</span> playoff series and can eliminate the Blazers with a Thursday night victory in Portland. Dallas took command of the series Tuesday thanks to, as SB Nation colleague Maurice London indicated in his <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/26/2133339/2011-nba-playoffs-dallas-mavericks-defeat-the-portland-trail-blazers">Mavs/Blazers Game 5 observations</a>, improved rebounding. The Mavericks won the battle of the boards, 49-37, and limited Blazers center <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> to 12 points on 6-of-15 shooting.</p>
<p>Of concern for Dallas, as I tried to lay out Wednesday, is <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/27/2137273/mavericks-need-more-offense-to-finish-trail-blazers-off">its struggles to find offense away from home</a>; in its losses this series, both in Portland, only <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> and <span>Jason Terry</span> scored consistently, with <span>Shawn Marion</span> doing some clean-up work. The Mavs need at least one of their outside shooters, such as <span>Peja Stojakovic</span> or <span>Jason Kidd</span>, to serve as a reiable third option from the perimeter so Nowitzki and Terry don’t get overworked.</p>
<p>Dallas clearly has the talent and wherewithal to close out Portland as soon as Thursday, and perhaps it learned a valuable lesson in its Game 4 defeat, in which it squandered a 23-point, third-quarter lead due to its inability to either contain <span>Brandon Roy</span> or to get easy baskets at the rim area in the fourth quarter. Mindful of those mistakes, the Mavericks ought to be able to win tonight, earning several days of rest before taking on the winner of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a> series in the next round.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/28/2139727/mavericks-vs-trail-blazers-game-6-preview-nba-playoffs-2011Evan Dunlap2011-04-27T14:23:15-05:002011-04-27T14:23:15-05:00Mavericks Need More Offense To Finish Trail Blazers Off
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> can close out their first-round series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> with a victory Thursday night in Portland, but to do it, they'll need better offense from their role players than they received in their first two games at the Rose Garden, which they lost. In Game 3, a 97-92 defeat, Mavs not named <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> or <span>Jason Terry</span> combined to shoot just 15-of-34 (44.1 percent) from the field for 38 points. <span>Shawn Marion</span>, a glorified safety valve on offense, ranked third on the team in scoring that night, with 9 points. In Game 4, which Portland won behind a vintage fourth-quarter performance from <span>Brandon Roy</span> (18 of the Blazers' 35 in the period), Nowitzki, Terry, and Marion again did most of the heavy lifting, with 45 of Dallas' points that night.</p>
<p>It's incumbent on the Mavs' other scorers, specifically <span>Jason Kidd</span> and <span>Peja Stojakovic</span>, to contribute more Thursday than they did in the prior defeats. <span>Rodrigue Beaubois</span>' absence--he's missed every game of the postseason--puts more pressure on those players to score, and while they've been up to the task in Dallas, they've come up short on the road in this series.</p>
<p>Roy is another factor. Knee injuries have robbed him, far too soon, of the athleticism and shot-creating ability that made him one of the league's best shooting guards two years ago, but he's come through in Portland in this series, with 40 points on 15-of-23 shooting through two games. He's enjoyed far less success in Dallas, which one might expect from a role-player, but not from one of Roy's caliber.</p>
<p>At all events, Kidd must also be more careful defending <span>Andre Miller</span>, the Blazers' point guard. He's never been a scoring threat--though he did drop an improbable 55 points on the Mavericks last season--so any offense Portland gets from him is a bonus. It's like found money. Keeping him away from the basket is the most important step: Miller is shooting 18-of-30 in the immediate basket area, but just 10-of-27 in all other areas, according to the stat-tracking service Synergy Sports Technology.</p>
<p>It has to comfort the Mavericks, to some degree, that they played two pretty bad offensive games in Portland and just narrowly lost both. We'll see if the team can put together a better, more balanced performance together in fairly short order.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/27/2137273/mavericks-need-more-offense-to-finish-trail-blazers-offEvan Dunlap2011-04-26T10:00:46-05:002011-04-26T10:00:46-05:002011 NBA Playoffs: Dallas Mavericks Defeat The Portland Trail Blazers- Game Five Thoughts
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<p>The sky isn't falling after all.</p>↵<p>The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> rebounded from their game four loss with a 93-82 win over the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a>.</p>↵<p>Coming off a game that encapsulated the play of many Mavericks teams of the past, the Mavericks came out and showed that they were a completely different team by beating the Blazers at their own game.</p>↵<p>Rebounding.</p>↵<p>The Mavericks out rebounded the Blazers 49-37. And a big reason for that was the play of <span>Tyson Chandler</span>. Chandler was able to stay out of foul trouble for the first tie in this series and his impact was felt on both ends of the floor. Chandler had 13 offensive rebounds- more than the entire Blazers team- on his way to a 20 rebound game. The 13 offensive rebounds were a career high and enough for a Mavericks playoff record. They were also the most in the NBA playoffs since Shaquille O'neal had 14 in 1995. The Mavericks are a completely different team when Chandler is on the floor and keeping him out of foul trouble will be key heading into game six.</p>↵<p>Unlike game four, the Mavericks attacked the basket from the outset and reaped the benefits by heading to the free throw line 35 times. And to no one's surprise, it was Nowitzki that led the charge. Dirk spearheaded the march to the line and the rest of the Mavericks followed suit. Dirk showed emotion throughout the game, screaming after drives to the basket and as he attacked the boards. It was refreshing to see and with his jumpshot not falling in this series, it's imperative this continues in Portland. Good things happens when Dirk drives to the basket. Case and point- the Mavericks are 13-0 this season when Dirk gets to the line at least 10 tiimes. Stay aggressive, Dirk.</p>↵<p><span>Jason Kidd</span> only had four points but he controlled the game for the Mavericks on offense, dishing out 14 assists and collecting seven rebounds in the process. Kidd's jumpshot has suffered since the impressive performances in games one and two. With two days rest before game six, Kidd should be able to get his legs under him and contribute offensively for the potential series clinching win.</p>↵<p><span>Shawn Marion</span> had another astounding game. Marion contributed 14 points on offense but it was his defense that truly left its mark on the game. Marion harassed the Blazers for four steals and was able to limit <span>Gerald Wallace</span> to 5/11 shooting and 16 points. Marion's hustle on defense led to his production on offense, a sight Mavericks fans have become accustomed to this season.</p>↵<p>The Mavericks limited Lamarcus Aldridge's impact for the second game in a row. Aldridge was held to 12 points on 6/15 shooting and did not get to the line once. Chandler and Haywood have made him work for everything inside and he's been forced to settle for jumpshots. A trend the Mavericks would like to continue. There were no bionic knees for <span>Brandon Roy</span> in this game as he shot a meek 2/7 from the field for five points. With game six in Portland, Roy will probably find a little more life in those knees and containing him will be a priority for the Mavericks.</p>↵<p>The close out game is always the hardest to get and getting it on the road will be even harder. But I can't think of a better time to exercise those road demons than by ending this series in Portland.</p>↵<p>Game six is Thursday night.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/26/2133339/2011-nba-playoffs-dallas-mavericks-defeat-the-portland-trail-blazerssprite2011-04-26T08:49:54-05:002011-04-26T08:49:54-05:002011 NBA Playoffs, Mavericks Vs. Blazers: Dallas Now Leads 3-2 As Series Moves Back To Portland
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<p>The Dallas Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 93-82 on Monday to gain a 3-2 advantage in their first round series. Game 6 will be in Portland on Thursday night. The big story in this game was Tyson Chandler and his 13 (!) offensive rebounds. Chandler and his 20 total rebounds nearly single-handily gave the Mavs a pretty sizable rebounding advantage. Our Mavericks blog <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2011/4/26/2132347/blazers-mavs-playoff-post-game-five-quotes-who-wants-it-more#storyjump">Mavs Money Ball</a> has reaction from Chandler.</p>
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<p>"I really just want to do whatever it takes to win at whatever time. In that last game, I was as in as much shock as everybody else. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let it happen again. Coming out tonight I knew my team would need me because after such a bad loss, a lot of times it can roll over into the next night and I didn't want to go back to Portland behind the 8-ball."</p>
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<p>When Chandler can play as well as he did on Monday, and win his matchup with Marcus Camby, he provides a pretty big advantage for the Mavs. He allows the rest of the team to play their game, because they know that they have a force to cleanup the glass. Here is Dirk Nowitzki on Chandler's impact:</p>
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<p>"Tyson was phenomenal on both ends of the floor with his energy. He was all over the boards. He was trying to make Aldridge work for everything and protected our paint. I always said if Haywood and Chandler play big for us in the paint, we can play and beat anybody."</p>
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<p>These two teams have played nine times this season (regular season included) and the home team has won each contest. The Mavericks will have to be the first team to reverse that trend if they want to avoid a Game 7 back in Dallas over the Weekend.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/26/2133980/2011-nba-playoffs-mavericks-vs-blazers-final-score-game-5Jordan Ruby2011-04-25T23:23:59-05:002011-04-25T23:23:59-05:002011 NBA Playoffs: Mavericks Win Pivotal Game 5 Over Trail Blazers
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<p>Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> put Saturday's collapse behind them in Game 5, as the German sharpshooter scored 25 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead Dallas to a 93-82 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> in this Western Conference quarterfinal series.</p>
<p>Dallas blew a 23-point lead in Game 4's 84-82 loss to fall back into a tie in the series. But Monday's frontcourt effort and shutdown defense in the fourth quarter have the Mavs headed back to Portland holding a 3-2 series edge.</p>
<p><span>Jason Terry</span> added 20 points, <span>Shawn Marion</span> scored 14 and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> put up 14 points and 20 boards, 13 coming on the offensive end for the victors. <span>Jason Kidd</span> chipped in 14 assists to make up for a 1-for-7 shooting night.</p>
<p>"I was just trying to be aggressive," Chandler said. "Tonight was a big game for us and we didn't want to go back to their place down in the series."</p>
<p><span>Andre Miller</span> posted 18 points and seven assists for the Blazers, who were beaten on the glass, 49-37, but head into Game 6 on Thursday knowing they own an 8-1 home playoff record against Dallas.</p>
<p>Portland ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run en route to a 20-15 lead, and Dallas responded by scoring the final seven points of the second for a slim 44-43 lead at the break.</p>
<p>The Mavericks took 14 free throws in the first half -- compared to one for Portland -- then made 13-of-17 from the foul line in the third quarter to take control.</p>
<p>"Big keys. Tyson [Chandler] on the boards ... and also allowing them to get into the penalty early," said Blazers head coach <span>Nate McMillan</span>, who was fined by the NBA for criticizing officials in a Game 1 loss and was hit with a technical foul late in the third quarter on Monday. "They just dominated the free throw line: 35 free throws to 19."</p>
<p>Nowitzki scored 11 points in the frame and hit two free throws with 5:23 remaining to start a quarter-ending 19-8 stretch that Marion capped with jump hook shot for a 75-63 advantage.</p>
<p>The Trail Blazers couldn't muster another miraculous comeback in the final 12 minutes.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Roy</span>, spurred on by the Rose Garden crowd in an epic 18-point fourth- quarter effort to spark Saturday's rally, opened the final frame with a jumper, but Portland went the next seven-plus minutes without hitting a field goal.</p>
<p>By the time Miller ended the visitors' drought with a layup with 4:09 to go, the Mavericks had built an 89-69 lead, allowing them to cruise to the finish line.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>The home team has won in all nine meetings between the teams this year, including the four regular season showdowns...Chandler's 13 offensive rebounds was a franchise playoff record...<span>Gerald Wallace</span> and <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> each grabbed nine rebounds to go with 16 and 12 points, respectively...Roy was held to five points on 2-of-7 shooting...Portland shot 31.3 percent in the fourth quarter...Dallas went 26-of-35 from the foul line, compared to Portland's 14- of-19 showing.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/25/2133509/2011-nba-playoffs-mavericks-win-pivotal-game-5-over-trail-blazersJP Starkey2011-04-25T17:09:12-05:002011-04-25T17:09:12-05:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers, Game 5: Can Dallas Shake Recover From Game 4 Collapse?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> had one of the worst <span class="caps">NBA</span> Playoffs collapses on Saturday when the team faltered in the fourth quarter as <span>Brandon Roy</span> led the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> back from what was at one point a 23-point deficit into an 84-82 victory to even the series at two apiece heading into tonight’s Game 5 in Dallas.</p>
<p>The Mavs will need to be able to forget that game, and the fact that the team has lost in the first round of the playoffs four of the past five seasons, as they look to pull ahead in the series and play more their style to keep themselves in the playoffs.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, both <span>Jason Kidd</span> and <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> <a href="http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/sekou_smith/04/25/jason-kidd-mavericks-game-5-advance/index.html" target="new">told <span class="caps">NBA</span>.com’s Sekou Smith</a> that they aren’t worried about last game’s collapse.</p>
<p>“I’ve lost 20-point leads before,” Kidd said. “It happens. I’ve been in this position before.”</p>
<p>Nowitzki takes a slightly different approach, leaning on the Dallas fans to lead the team to a Game 5 victory.</p>
<p>“We just have to stay positive,” Nowitzki said. “Two out of three we’re at home, where our crowd has really carried us, especially in the fourth quarters in the two wins that we got. This is going to sting, this is going to hurt. But we worked hard all through the regular season to get those two at home.”</p>
<p>Regardless of what the player’s think, it’s imperative that Dallas limits Roy on Monday night if they plan to keep the series in their favor.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/4/25/2132741/mavericks-vs-trail-blazers-game-5-dirk-nowitzki-jason-kidd-brandon-royScott Schroeder