Mavericks at Hornets
Regular Season Numbers and Rank
Defensive Field Goal Percentage
New Orleans – 46.00% (16th)
Dallas – 44.31% (4th)
Rebound Differential
New Orleans – +1.01 (10th)
Dallas – +2.74 (5th)
Point Differential
New Orleans – +5.28 (6th)
Dallas – +4.53 (10th)
Shooting
New Orleans – 46.56% (8th)
Dallas – 46.43% (9th)
3-Point Shooting
New Orleans – 38.9% (3rd)
Dallas – 35.2% (20th)
Free Throw Shooting
New Orleans – 76.86% (11th)
Dallas – 81.45% (1st)
Turnovers
New Orleans – 11.87 (3rd)
Dallas – 12.64 (5th)
Fouls
New Orleans – 18.67 (1st)
Dallas – 21.78 (23rd)
Pace Factor
New Orleans – 92.1 (26th)
Dallas – 92.5 (24th)
Individual Matchups
Point Guard
Chris Paul & Mike James v Jason Kidd & Tyronn Lue – This is where Dallas fans start to miss Devin Harris. Not that anyone can stop CP3, but Harris would have had a much better chance than Kidd does. I expect Paul to absolutely destroy J Kidd, going by him at will and reeking havoc in the lane. Jason’s best move would be to post Chris up and try to get Paul into foul trouble.
The guys on the pine don’t see much action, but Lue’s defense might be necessary if CP3 is running too wild. Likewise James will get an opportunity to come in and knock down some 3’s if others aren’t making theirs.
Shooting Guard
Morris Peterson & Bonzi Wells v Jerry Stackhouse & Jason Terry – Mo Pete is mainly a defensive stopper these days as he doesn’t get many touches with the Hornets. That said Mo can still get hot from deep on occasion. Stack is just returning from a right groin injury and will be on a short leash if his offense isn’t happening right away.
Terry is really a starter and a big key to the Mavs success. Whether it be filling the lane on a fast break, making a big 3, defensive stop or clutch drive, JET always seems to the energizer when things are going well for Dallas. Bonzi has been up and down in NO (shocker!), but his playoff experience and ability to post up smaller players can’t be overlooked.
Small Forward
Peja Stojakovic & Julian Wright v Josh Howard & Eddie Jones – Howard has been a little inconsistent for the Mavs this season, and now would be a great time to turn things around. Josh has the ability and quickness to take it to Peja on both ends rendering Stojakovic useless more or less. Peja needs to do more than be a spot up 3-point shooter in this series. Something…anything…
Wright and Jones are at diametrically opposed points in their careers right now. Julian is a rookie who has just started to show some promise. His athleticism could be key in containing Howard if Stojakovic can’t get the job done. Eddie’s best days are long gone, but he’s still a crafty veteran that can make a big shot or get a key stop.
Power Forward
David West & Melvin Ely v Dirk Nowitzki & Brandon Bass – This should be a very entertaining battle. On the surface it may appear that West and Nowitzki are different players. Dirk the perimeter shooter and David the banger down low. The reality though is that both are versatile scores who get most of their points in the mid-range areas. I don’t really see an advantage for West in the post because Nowitzki is so much taller. Conversely, I don’t think David has the quickness to stay with Dirk in space. We shall see.
The backups strongly favor the Mavs. Bass has been nothing short of a revelation this year. He is a beast down low when he puts his mind to, and also plays very well off Nowitzki. Ely doesn’t see the court often but he gives the Hornets another big body.
Center
Tyson Chandler & Hilton Armstrong v Erick Dampier & Juwan Howard – Chandler’s energy, athleticism and activity are going to sorely test the plodding and frequently unmotivated Dampier. If Erick gets into early foul trouble or is sleepwalking Ty will dominate the glass and jam home at least five alley-oops a game. Then again Chandler needs to stay out of foul trouble himself because NO is not the same squad when he’s not out there as their last line of defense.
I had high hopes for Armstrong this season but he really didn’t deliver. He is a long active body though that can do some things if the refs let him. I don’t expect to see Juwan very much if at all.
Coach
Byron Scott v Avery Johnson – This tilt has a little extra added flavor since it seems Johnson’s job is on the line here if Dallas doesn’t advance. Both guys are impeccable in terms of preparation, motivation and commanding the respect of their players. Where I think Scott has the edge is adjustments, both in game and game-to-game. Avery has a tendency to panic and overreact when things aren’t going his way. Which is probably his head is on the chopping block.
Overall
This should be yet another highly competitive and hotly contested series. The questions all seem to focus on NO’s lack of experience, but it seems to me that the Mavs should be the club under scrutiny. For starters Dallas was only 12-11 over the final two months as opposed to the Hornets shiny 17-8 record. Then there’s also the question of Dirk’s high left ankle sprain. Yes he’s playing, but he doesn’t seem to be moving as well to me. Although the big German’s intensity does seem to be at all time high right now.
These teams are so evenly matched that tactics and the little things will probably make all the difference. I’d suggest that the Mavs double CP3 as soon as he crosses half court in the last five minutes of the game, sooner if need be. Dallas has to take the ball out of Paul’s hands and make someone else beat them. The Mavs also need to execute their half court offense and only fast break when the opportunity presents itself because a running game is just what NO wants.
While it’s true Chris Paul doesn’t have any post season experience, I think that talent like his transcends that kind of thing. As long as the Hornets defend like they are capable of, play under control in their half court offense and not let the bigness of the moment get to them they should be fine. I suppose that’s easier said than done, but with B Scott and CP3 running the show I have faith.
Prediction: This will be a back and forth affair where Paul steps up and becomes a guy that can win a series by himself. NO in 7.
Defensive Field Goal Percentage
New Orleans – 46.00% (16th)
Dallas – 44.31% (4th)
Rebound Differential
New Orleans – +1.01 (10th)
Dallas – +2.74 (5th)
Point Differential
New Orleans – +5.28 (6th)
Dallas – +4.53 (10th)
Shooting
New Orleans – 46.56% (8th)
Dallas – 46.43% (9th)
3-Point Shooting
New Orleans – 38.9% (3rd)
Dallas – 35.2% (20th)
Free Throw Shooting
New Orleans – 76.86% (11th)
Dallas – 81.45% (1st)
Turnovers
New Orleans – 11.87 (3rd)
Dallas – 12.64 (5th)
Fouls
New Orleans – 18.67 (1st)
Dallas – 21.78 (23rd)
Pace Factor
New Orleans – 92.1 (26th)
Dallas – 92.5 (24th)
Individual Matchups
Point Guard
Chris Paul & Mike James v Jason Kidd & Tyronn Lue – This is where Dallas fans start to miss Devin Harris. Not that anyone can stop CP3, but Harris would have had a much better chance than Kidd does. I expect Paul to absolutely destroy J Kidd, going by him at will and reeking havoc in the lane. Jason’s best move would be to post Chris up and try to get Paul into foul trouble.
The guys on the pine don’t see much action, but Lue’s defense might be necessary if CP3 is running too wild. Likewise James will get an opportunity to come in and knock down some 3’s if others aren’t making theirs.
Shooting Guard
Morris Peterson & Bonzi Wells v Jerry Stackhouse & Jason Terry – Mo Pete is mainly a defensive stopper these days as he doesn’t get many touches with the Hornets. That said Mo can still get hot from deep on occasion. Stack is just returning from a right groin injury and will be on a short leash if his offense isn’t happening right away.
Terry is really a starter and a big key to the Mavs success. Whether it be filling the lane on a fast break, making a big 3, defensive stop or clutch drive, JET always seems to the energizer when things are going well for Dallas. Bonzi has been up and down in NO (shocker!), but his playoff experience and ability to post up smaller players can’t be overlooked.
Small Forward
Peja Stojakovic & Julian Wright v Josh Howard & Eddie Jones – Howard has been a little inconsistent for the Mavs this season, and now would be a great time to turn things around. Josh has the ability and quickness to take it to Peja on both ends rendering Stojakovic useless more or less. Peja needs to do more than be a spot up 3-point shooter in this series. Something…anything…
Wright and Jones are at diametrically opposed points in their careers right now. Julian is a rookie who has just started to show some promise. His athleticism could be key in containing Howard if Stojakovic can’t get the job done. Eddie’s best days are long gone, but he’s still a crafty veteran that can make a big shot or get a key stop.
Power Forward
David West & Melvin Ely v Dirk Nowitzki & Brandon Bass – This should be a very entertaining battle. On the surface it may appear that West and Nowitzki are different players. Dirk the perimeter shooter and David the banger down low. The reality though is that both are versatile scores who get most of their points in the mid-range areas. I don’t really see an advantage for West in the post because Nowitzki is so much taller. Conversely, I don’t think David has the quickness to stay with Dirk in space. We shall see.
The backups strongly favor the Mavs. Bass has been nothing short of a revelation this year. He is a beast down low when he puts his mind to, and also plays very well off Nowitzki. Ely doesn’t see the court often but he gives the Hornets another big body.
Center
Tyson Chandler & Hilton Armstrong v Erick Dampier & Juwan Howard – Chandler’s energy, athleticism and activity are going to sorely test the plodding and frequently unmotivated Dampier. If Erick gets into early foul trouble or is sleepwalking Ty will dominate the glass and jam home at least five alley-oops a game. Then again Chandler needs to stay out of foul trouble himself because NO is not the same squad when he’s not out there as their last line of defense.
I had high hopes for Armstrong this season but he really didn’t deliver. He is a long active body though that can do some things if the refs let him. I don’t expect to see Juwan very much if at all.
Coach
Byron Scott v Avery Johnson – This tilt has a little extra added flavor since it seems Johnson’s job is on the line here if Dallas doesn’t advance. Both guys are impeccable in terms of preparation, motivation and commanding the respect of their players. Where I think Scott has the edge is adjustments, both in game and game-to-game. Avery has a tendency to panic and overreact when things aren’t going his way. Which is probably his head is on the chopping block.
Overall
This should be yet another highly competitive and hotly contested series. The questions all seem to focus on NO’s lack of experience, but it seems to me that the Mavs should be the club under scrutiny. For starters Dallas was only 12-11 over the final two months as opposed to the Hornets shiny 17-8 record. Then there’s also the question of Dirk’s high left ankle sprain. Yes he’s playing, but he doesn’t seem to be moving as well to me. Although the big German’s intensity does seem to be at all time high right now.
These teams are so evenly matched that tactics and the little things will probably make all the difference. I’d suggest that the Mavs double CP3 as soon as he crosses half court in the last five minutes of the game, sooner if need be. Dallas has to take the ball out of Paul’s hands and make someone else beat them. The Mavs also need to execute their half court offense and only fast break when the opportunity presents itself because a running game is just what NO wants.
While it’s true Chris Paul doesn’t have any post season experience, I think that talent like his transcends that kind of thing. As long as the Hornets defend like they are capable of, play under control in their half court offense and not let the bigness of the moment get to them they should be fine. I suppose that’s easier said than done, but with B Scott and CP3 running the show I have faith.
Prediction: This will be a back and forth affair where Paul steps up and becomes a guy that can win a series by himself. NO in 7.
posted by D$ at 6:03 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home