SB Nation Dallas - Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers: Dallas Defeats Portland In Double Overtimehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-02-12T11:39:51-06:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25563022012-02-12T11:39:51-06:002012-02-12T11:39:51-06:00Delonte West Gets Inspiration From A Teenager With A Kidney Disorder, Comes Up Clutch Vs. Blazers
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> were able to pull out a gutty 97-94 double-overtime victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> Saturday night. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> was his usual stellar self, <span>Jason Terry</span> poured in his usual points and the role players stepped up for <span>Rick Carlisle</span> in a major way.</p>
<p>However, the Mavericks don't win the game on Saturday without the help of <span>Delonte West</span> and a young teenager named Lyndon Bay.</p>
<p>Bay, a teenager with a rare kidney disorder, was befriended by West and was invited to Saturday's game versus the Blazers. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/12/3728359/west-puts-mavs-on-back-in-overtime.html#article">West said that seeing Bay at the game</a> was all the inspiration he needed to push through his struggles during the game.
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<p>"For the last 12 minutes until that overtime, it was hard for me to get loose," West said. "I thought about it -- I had my man Lyndon Bay at the game -- I thought about all the things he's been through and I just drew my strength from him. I went out there and played tough, like he would want me to."</p>
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<div style="width: 1px; height: 1px; color: #000000; font: 10pt sans-serif; text-align: left; text-transform: none; overflow: hidden;">sasdasdasdsads<br>Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/12/3728359/west-puts-mavs-on-back-in-overtime.html#storylink=cpy</div>
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<br>Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/12/3728359/west-puts-mavs-on-back-in-overtime.html#storylink=</div>
<p>West's six straight points in the second overtime pushed the Mavericks over the top on Saturday, finished with 10 points for the game. If West keeps it up, Mark Cuban should invite Bay to all of the Dallas home games from here on out.</p>
<p>Related:<a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/11/2792261/mavericks-vs-trail-blazers-a-playoff-rematch-in-dallas"> Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers: Dallas Defeats Portland In Double Overtime</a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/12/2793425/delonte-west-gets-inspiration-from-a-teenager-with-a-kidney-disorderEddie Maisonet2012-02-12T09:00:55-06:002012-02-12T09:00:55-06:00NBA Standings 2012: Mavericks Keeping Pace In Southwest Division
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<p>The Dallas Mavericks have won three-straight games which allowing them to keep pace with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets in the NBA's Southwest Division. The Mavericks remain two games behind the Spurs for the division lead and just a half game in front of the Rockets in second place. </p>
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<h3>Southwest Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>PCT</th> <th>GB</th> <th>STRK</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio</a></td>
<td>19</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>.678</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 7</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas</a></td>
<td>17</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>.607</td>
<td>2</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 3</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston</a></td>
<td>16</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>.592</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 3</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis</a></td>
<td>14</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>.518</td>
<td>4.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans</a></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>.148</td>
<td>14.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 8</td>
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<p class="updated">(updated 2.12.2012 at 8:20 AM EST)</p>
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<p>Dallas currently stands at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings which, if the playoffs started today, would give the Mavericks home court advantage in the first round. Dallas is 4.5 games back of conference leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and three back of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> for second place. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Dallas Mavericks be sure to check out <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com">Mavs Moneyball</a>. For more NBA news and analysis head on over to SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">NBA Basketball page</a>. </i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/12/2793135/2012-nba-standings-dallas-mavericksKris Willis2012-02-11T22:55:23-06:002012-02-11T22:55:23-06:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers Final Score: Dallas Needs Two Overtimes To Defeat Portland
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<p>The Dallas Mavericks blew and 18-point lead but they were able to overcome and defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> in overtime, 97-94. Dirk Nowitzki had a solid first half of 12 points, but he disappeared in the second half and both overtimes and ended up with 20 points on the night. Nowitzki had chances to win the game in regulation and the first overtime but he missed both jump shots.</p>
<p>The Mavericks were rescued by Delonte West who scored six of his 10 points in the second overtime to give the Mavericks some breathing room, and then it was Nowtizki who came up big when he hit a 15-foot jumper to put the Mavericks up 93-97 with 16 seconds left. The Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to three, and Jamal Crawford's desperation three-point shot did not fall as time expired.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball.</a> For Portland Trail Blazers info, head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge.</a> For a look at everything going on in the league, be sure to visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/11/2792873/mavericks-trail-blazers-final-score-overtimeJeremy Mauss2012-02-11T20:53:49-06:002012-02-11T20:53:49-06:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers Halftime Score: Dallas Lead Portland 43-32
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<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Dallas Mavericks are making things look real easy against the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">. Dallas could actually have a larger lead at the break if not for a late second quarter 9-1 run by the Trail Blazers. The Mavericks have been shooting the ball well and have made 50 percent of their shots compared to 33 percent and have gone 1-of-9 from three-point range for the Trail Blazers.</span></p>
<p>The Mavericks are once again led in scoring by <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> who has 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting while <span>Jason Terry</span> came off the bench to score eight points. <span>Jason Kidd</span> who returned last night after missing six games has not played that great this evening as he has been held scoreless, but he does have six rebounds, three assists and one steal.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball.</a> For Portland Trail Blazers info, head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge.</a> For a look at everything going on in the league, be sure to visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/11/2792727/mavericks-trailblazers-halftime-scoreJeremy Mauss2012-02-11T15:49:11-06:002012-02-11T15:49:11-06:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers Preview: Five Questions With A Blazer's Edge Writer
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<p><i>As part of a new series we're doing here at SB Nation Dallas, we'll be conducting a back-and-forth with other SB Nation writers from around the country to preview big games for area teams.</i></p>
<p><i>For the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a> -- <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Trail Blazers</a> basketball game, we've brought in Dave from Blazer's Edge, one of the NBA blogosphere's first "trail-blazing" site, which has covered Portland's NBA team with unrivaled depth for years.</i></p>
<p><i>Head </i><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/2/11/2791982/five-questions-with-sbn-dallas">over to their site</a><i> for a look at my responses to his questions about the Mavericks season so far.</i></p>
<p>1. Basketball fans in Dallas remember <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> from his days at Seagoville High School, so it's nice to see him put it all together this year. Where would you rate him among the NBA's top power forwards?</p>
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<p>This is a case of everybody being pretty happy with what they have. Minnesota fans are rightfully agog over <span>Kevin Love's</span> statistical production and the wins he's bringing their franchise. It's hard to argue with 25 and 14. <span>Blake Griffin</span> has great offensive moves, great finishes, and enough natural star power to make him the best bet among today's good power forwards to shine in a league that values same. <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> fans wouldn't trade him for the world. Aldridge scores almost as much as Love, also brings his team wins, and probably has the best all-around game of the three even though he'd be in second place to either Griffin or Love category-for-category. He'll probably not start an All-Star game like Griffin or be the first pick in a fantasy league like Love but he may secretly be the most valuable of the three.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you were looking to win a single playoff series right now you might take <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> over all three. Nobody in this group has reason to complain. Nobody can make a clear claim that their power forward is better than all the rest, though. All four fan bases are rightfully enjoying their great players.</p>
<p>Aldridge's big advantage is that he's already a better defender than any of the other three. He has the potential to become jaw-dropping, eye-popping great in that department. On the other hand he's nowhere near the rebounder that Love and Griffin are and never will be. Also Aldridge hasn't proved, as Dirk now has, that he can load a team on his back and taken them to victory no matter what the opposition does. He's Portland's best player and one of the best in the league, but very good players don't always become the kind of transcendent players who wreck the league and wrest titles--or even deep playoff runs--from the grasp of opponents. To be fair he's only had to face that burden for a couple years. <span>Brandon Roy</span> had that quality in spades and it was his job, his team. Aldridge playing second banana was actually an asset. But now he has to be the Big Banana. He's grown into that skin fairly well but the fruits of his labors remain to be seen. The Blazers need him to be Mr. Everything now.</p>
<p>Of the three I like Blake Griffin better from an NBA basketball perspective. He's going to get the cameras and lights which usually make the path easier not only to stardom but to playoff success. But I think Aldridge is the more complete player and the favorite of basketball purists.</p>
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<p>2. From an outside perspective, Portland certainly looks like a talented team, how do you explain their 3-9 road record?</p>
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<p>The Blazers are capable of great games when everything goes well. They have talent at every position, a couple of nice players off the bench, plus Aldridge, of course. You like this team in most situations. But the team has basic flaws. Nobody can get to the rim off the dribble and finish. Almost every player in the rotation is most comfortable working for the same kind of shot: the mid-range jumper. That's the least efficient shot in basketball. The only true low post player they have is <span>Craig Smith</span>. (Who?!? That's the point.) Their three-point shooting is streaky.</p>
<p>Aldridge and <span>Nicolas Batum</span> have stepped up on defense but they still rely heavily on <span>Marcus Camby</span> to watch the interior and rebound. He's good for 25 minutes per night when healthy. If you play him more his legs are shot the next game. Their second best player, <span>Gerald Wallace</span>, has trouble performing on either end on the road and is playing below the rim in almost every situation. If you know Gerald Wallace at all then "below the rim" is going to make you shake your head. The guard defense is spotty and the Blazers have zero reliable point guard options outside of <span>Raymond Felton</span> (who is doubtful for this game and will not start, by the way).</p>
<p>Then you have to factor in that, while talented 1-8, this team runs at most 8 deep right now. Start doing the math on 8 players with back-to-backs and road travel and what have you and you start seeing fatigue, loss of focus, being unable to impose their will physically. This team will start out great and then fade throughout the game. Or vice versa, they'll start out horribly and scramble to make it up in the late third and fourth. Either way, that's a recipe for a spotty record. Being at home provides rest and an emotional lift from the crowd, but on the road this team looks tired already.</p>
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<p>3. The Trail Blazers have the biggest point differential in the West at +5.6 even though they're currently in 9th place. What do you think is a more accurate reflection of their talent and where would you rate them among the other playoff contenders?</p>
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<p>I am waiting for the halfway mark of the season to rely on point differential, which is normally a good barometer for success. In this season, though, it's skewed early. Normally by the All-Star break you've been around the league once. Not this year. Variations in schedule will render the stat less valuable. I believe this is a playoff team. I believe it would take the right matchup and probably homecourt advantage to get them out of the first round. Nothing I've seen this season--and there have been great highs and lows--has changed that assessment.</p>
<p>Right now it looks like the Blazers will have trouble earning homecourt even in the first round. That can change in the blink of an eye. They and every other team are one injury away from disaster in a season like this. Also teams can go on wicked streaks either way because the games are bunched together. But assuming everything lands near average I don't think the Blazers make it out of the first round. Their weaknesses are going to be too exploitable when a team has time to prepare for them for seven straight games.</p>
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<p>4. Almost hate to ask, but what's the latest on <span>Greg Oden</span>? Do you think he'll ever be able to stay on the court?</p>
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<p>Yup. There's a nice wheelchair league starting up, I hear. As long as they allow over-sized rigs he should dominate.</p>
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<p>5. What do you think is the key to tonight's game?</p>
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<p>Aldridge versus Nowitzki is always an interesting matchup. LaMarcus seems to love that one. But the real test comes at the guard and small forward positions. Raymond Felton, <span>Wesley Matthews</span>, Gerald Wallace, Nicolas Batum, <span>Jamal Crawford</span> ... all can be great or awful. They'll need to put pressure on the Dallas guards/wings to defend them. If not the Mavs will be free to hound Aldridge all night. Rebounding has been another huge question mark for the Blazers lately. If Portland rebounds well and hit some shots this should be a game. If the guards fizzle or the Blazers can't secure the boards it probably won't matter what Aldridge does.</p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/11/2792266/mavericks-vs-trail-blazers-preview-blazers-edge-interviewJonathan Tjarks2012-02-11T09:39:29-06:002012-02-11T09:39:29-06:00Mavericks Vs. Trail Blazers: Game Preview, TV Info And More
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<p>Dallas has lost three of their last five home games, but look to regain home court against the road-weary Blazers Saturday night.</p> <p>The Mavericks (16-11) return home Saturday night to begin a three game homestand, starting with the Portland Trailblazers. Dallas ended their road trip with a 104-97 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Timberwolves</a> on Friday night, forcing 28 turnovers and finishing their road swing 2-1. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> finished with a season-high 33 points.</p>
<p>The Mavs have been less than impressive back in Big D, losing three of their last five home contests. The Blazers might be the answer, as Portland is 4-9 on the road this year (two of those wins came against the NBA's worst team, New Orleans). The Blazers have lost 20 of their last 25 games against Dallas.</p>
<p><b>Date / Time: </b>Saturday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>Fox Sports Southwest, NBA League Pass</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b><a href="http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/espnradio_affiliates.html">Mavericks Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Streaming:</b> n/a</p>
<p><b>Line: </b>Dallas (-4)</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>, check out <a href="http://mavsmoneyball.com">Mavs Moneyball.</a> For Portland Trailblazers info, head over to <a href="http://blazersedge.com">Blazer's Edge.</a> For a look at everything going on in the league, be sure to visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>. </i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/2/11/2791633/mavericks-trailblazers-game-preview-tv-nba-2012Steven Godfrey