SB Nation Dallas - Bulls Vs. Mavericks: Dallas Falls To Eastern Conference's Besthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-04-22T13:44:33-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27285092012-04-22T13:44:33-05:002012-04-22T13:44:33-05:00NBA Standings 2012: Mavericks Staring Conference Finals Rematch Vs. Thunder In Playoffs
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<p>The 2011 Western Conference Finals gave us a thrilling and scintillating matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. While the more experienced, efficient and savvy Mavericks won out over the young guns of the Thunder in five games, it was clear that these two teams would see each other again in the future.</p>
<p>That future is now. Well, technically in a few weeks, possibly.</p>
<p>The Thunder are in a dogfight with the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the West. If the Spurs hang on to the top spot, then the Mavericks will have to take their talents to the Sooner State in a first round rematch. Which matchup do you like more, Thunder or Spurs?</p>
<p>Here are the standings out West with just one game remaining on the Mavericks schedule.</p>
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<h3>Western Standings</h3>
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<table class="standings zebra" cellspacing="0">
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<th></th> <th>GP</th> <th>W-L</th> <th>PCT</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a></td>
<td>62</td>
<td>46-16</td>
<td class="td-last">.742</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>46-17</td>
<td class="td-last">.730</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>40-24</td>
<td class="td-last">.625</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>39-24</td>
<td class="td-last">.619</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>39-25</td>
<td class="td-last">.609</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>35-28</td>
<td class="td-last">.556</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a></td>
<td>65</td>
<td>36-29</td>
<td class="td-last">.554</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>34-30</td>
<td class="td-last">.531</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>33-31</td>
<td class="td-last">.516</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>33-31</td>
<td class="td-last">.516</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>28-36</td>
<td class="td-last">.438</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a></td>
<td>64</td>
<td>26-38</td>
<td class="td-last">.406</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>22-41</td>
<td class="td-last">.349</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>20-43</td>
<td class="td-last">.317</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a></td>
<td>63</td>
<td>20-43</td>
<td class="td-last">.317</td>
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<br id="1335119928455"> For more on the Mavericks, be sure to check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a></b>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/22/2967099/2012-nba-standings-dallas-mavericksEddie Maisonet2012-04-21T22:13:43-05:002012-04-21T22:13:43-05:00Mavericks Vs. Bulls Final Score: Dallas Lose To Chicago 93-83
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> nearly overcame a first quarter where they were outscored 31-8, but they ultimately lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> 93-83. Luckily for the Mavericks they have already clinched a playoff spot and they are locked into the No. 7 seed.</p>
<p>Both <span>Jason Terry</span> and <span>Jason Kidd</span> sat out Saturday night's game to provide the two starters some rest for when the playoffs begin, and those two players effected the offense which played poorly Saturday night.</p>
<p>The offense for the Mavericks struggled on Saturday night by shooting only 39 percent from the field and 4-of-15 from thee-point range. Even with the poor shooting the Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter and made it a two-point game with 4:30 left, but the Bulls ended the game going on a 15-7 run to win by 10 points.</p>
<p><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> led the Mavericks in scoring with 17 points.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Mavericks, be sure to check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a></b> and for more on the Bulls check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull</a></b></i><i>. For more insights and analysis on the NBA, check out the <b><a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/nba">SB Nation's NBA hub</a></b></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/21/2965998/mavericks-bulls-final-scoreJeremy Mauss2012-04-21T20:30:37-05:002012-04-21T20:30:37-05:00Mavericks Vs. Bulls Halftime Score: Dallas Trail Chicago 44-38
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<p>The first quarter between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> was not going well for the Mavericks since they were outscored 31-8. The second quarter was a completely different story as the Mavericks slowly crawled back into this game and now trail the Bulls 44-38 at the half.</p>
<p>The Mavericks went on a 16-3 in the second quarter and made it a two-point game, but the Bulls responded to the Mavericks threat and did not allow them to get any closer than two points.</p>
<p>The offense for the Mavericks is playing very poor tonight and have made only 34 percent from the field but it has been able to keep it close by going 11-of-13 from the free throw line. <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> is the only Dallas player in double figures with 12 points and the next closest is Delonte West who has six points.</p>
<p>Dallas will need to step up their offensive game if they are going to challenge the Bulls in the second half.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Mavericks, be sure to check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a></b> and for more on the Bulls check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull</a></b></i><i>. For more insights and analysis on the NBA, check out the <b><a href="../../../nba">SB Nation's NBA hub</a></b></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/21/2965822/mavericks-vs-bulls-halftime-scoreJeremy Mauss2012-04-21T12:17:14-05:002012-04-21T12:17:14-05:00Mavericks Vs. Bulls Preview: Five Questions With Blog A Bull
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<p>We discuss our common rival in South Beach, Derrick Rose's injury status and how both teams are handling the last week of the regular season.</p> <p><i>To preview the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a> only meeting with the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> this season, we've brought in "Bulls Blogger" the lead writer over at <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">SB Nation's Chicago Bulls site</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>Head over to their site <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/2012/4/21/2964655/bulls-vs-mavericks-talking-saturdays-matchup-last-years-finals-and">for my answers to his questions</a> about Dallas.</i></p>
<p>1) Are the Bulls going to have anything to play for<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>on Saturday or should Mavs fans expect them to<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>be resting players?</p>
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<p>After losing to Miami on Thursday, the Bulls still control their own destiny but are now pressured to likely win-out to keep the #1 seed. While it's not a death-knell if they fall to #2, and they may even have an easier first couple of rounds if they do, it's fairly important to have home-court over Miami should they meet in the Eastern Finals again. It's not a necessity that they have that edge, but any such advantage will help in a matchup that is potentially a toss-up if both teams are healthy.</p>
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<p>2) How's <span>Derrick Rose's</span> recovery going and do you expect him to be 100% by the playoffs?</p>
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<p>The idea of 'rest' isn't really the case with the Bulls, Rose is sitting out games because he's still hurt. The Bulls have been clandestine about their players recuperation all season, and you can question their aptitude in handling Rose's ailments far. He missed nearly a month due to a groin injury, came back and hurt his ankle after one game, sat out a couple more then injured his foot. That suggests that he may have come back too soon or to hard, and thus it's tough to be that optimistic that he'll be back to full strength this season, and if he's not whether he's at risk to re-injure himself.</p>
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<p>3) Miami looked practically unbeatable in last year's<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Eastern Conference Playoffs. Were you surprised that<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Dallas won and what did the Mavs do to the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a><span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>that the Bulls and <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a> couldn't?</p>
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<p>Incredibly surprised. What was most demoralizing about facing Miami is that even if you stayed with them for a majority of the game, their ability to lock down opponents especially in 4th quarters would ultimately have them seizing control. But Dallas proved that they had a lot of weapons to break through that D, and then put the pressure back on LeBron and company to make some 4th quarter shots themselves. Miami obviously crumbled in that setting in the Finals, but after they looked so good doing so against the Bulls (including a furious comeback win in their close-out game) it still seems kind of flukey that it happened. But we were certainly very happy it did.</p>
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<p>4) How has Rip Hamilton looked this season and do<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>you think he'll be enough to move Chicago past Miami?</p>
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<p>Rip is finally back to playing substantial minutes and is starting to show what he's capable of. If looking simply in relation to the Bulls starting SG last season (<span>Keith Bogans</span>), he's already a clear upgrade. Rip's a legitimate threat on offense, whether it's coming off of screens or in the transition game. He's shown the ability to draw fouls and has surprised with his ability to pass (a trait shared by the whole starting unit). But in terms of his capability to get the Bulls over Miami, that can't be as easily determined since he's barely had any time together with Derrick Rose, let alone in the type of 4th quarter situations you could use as a test case for the playoffs. There's a hope that there isn't that much to learn about each other if both are back and playing well, but there's certainly been no chemistry figured out to where you can trust it'll be there against Miami later.</p>
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<p>5) Outside of the Heat, which Eastern Conference team<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>do you think matches up best with the Bulls and what<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>are the chances the 2012 ECF isn't a rematch?</p>
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<p>That's one saving grace of any issues worrying about Rose's health: even if he isn't 100% they can probably take care of any team that isn't the Heat. Their size and depth advantage is apparent over nearly every team to where over the course of a series there isn't an opponent who can do enough to get 4 wins over them. So even if teams like Indiana or Boston are suited for the playoffs with slower styles and physical play, the Bulls can still play that game better.</p>
<p>Maybe if I had to pick a worry it'd be a team that doesn't play that style of ball, which could be the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>. If they were able to maintain their solid defense, they have the type of shot creators who can get through even the leagues best, so if they somehow were hot for an entire series the Bulls may not have the firepower to keep up. But that's a lot of ifs to their detriment, along with re-integrating Amare and not having a capable point guard. I could also see Atlanta giving the Bulls trouble if they can get anything from Horford's return, as they pushed the Bulls to 6 games last season and also have the kind of players who can score against any defense. (if Rose is out or really hobbling, they're in trouble against anyone)</p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/21/2964873/mavericks-vs-bulls-preview-five-questions-with-blog-a-bullJonathan Tjarks2012-04-21T11:48:21-05:002012-04-21T11:48:21-05:00Brendan Wright Thoroughly Enjoyed Beating Up On His Former Team On Friday
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<p>Sometimes all you need is a little motivation.</p>
<p><span>Brandan Wright</span>, the former lottery pick of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> and now current member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>, finally had the opportunity to face is former club. The 24-year old has been a major lift to an aging Mavs roster, and Friday night's performance proved that they might have something in the former North Carolina Tar Heel.</p>
<p>Wright finished with a career-high 16 points and 9 rebounds in the 104-94 Mavericks win. In full revenge mode, <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4688527/3-pointer-golden-state-gets-brandan-wrights-best">Wright relishes being undefeated</a> versus his previous employer.</p>
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<p>"It’s one of those situations that you want to play well against your former team," Wright said with a smile. "That’s all I can give you on that. You want to play well; you want to beat those guys. Since I got traded, I haven’t lost a game to them."</p>
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<p>The Mavs will continue to lean on Wright with the playoffs on the horizon, up next for Dallas is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> at 7:00 p.m. Central.</p>
<p><i> For more on the Mavericks, be sure to check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a></b> and for more on the Bulls check out <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com">Blog A Bull</a></b></i><i>. For more insights and analysis on the NBA, check out the <b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation NBA</a></b></i><i> hubpage.<br></i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/21/2964783/brendan-wright-thoroughly-enjoyed-beating-up-on-his-former-team-onEddie Maisonet2012-04-21T08:41:58-05:002012-04-21T08:41:58-05:00Dallas Mavericks Vs. Chicago Bulls: Game Time, TV Schedule And More
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<img alt="Apr 20, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) grabs a rebound during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/viu9qydvaqqUgPRBB2-fDU2OI-k=/0x186:490x513/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6572028/20120420_pjc_an4_124.jpg" />
<figcaption>Apr 20, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) grabs a rebound during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks head to Chicago on Saturday night to take on the Eastern Conference leading Bulls.</p> <p>Though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> have clinched a playoff spot, their seeding in the Western Conference playoffs has yet to be determined. <span>Rick Carlisle's</span> Mavericks will be faced with a tough task on Saturday night, as they look to hold onto the sixth seed, as they head to Chicago to take on the NBA's best team -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a>.</p>
<p>Chicago has been excellent this entire season, as they currently lead the Eastern Conference (and NBA) with a 47-16 record. The Bulls are only one game up in the loss column over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> for the top-seed in the Eastern Conference, so Chicago still has something to play for.</p>
<p>Dallas, meanwhile, is playing to avoid being the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The seventh seed will have to play either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, while the sixth seed will play either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>. </p>
<p>Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT. Televised coverage can be found on ESPN.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Mavericks, be sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com">Mavs Moneyball</a>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/4/21/2964447/dallas-mavericks-vs-chicago-bulls-game-time-tv-schedule-and-moreJP Starkey