Dallas Mavericks: Week 18 Preview
After five days off without basketball, the Mavericks first game after the All-Star break was a home matchup against the Miami Heat. The Heat and Mavericks treated fans to an exciting, back-and-forth matchup until LeBron James served notice that the Heat would not be losing to the Mavericks on this night.
With just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, James checked back into the game with the Heat down three points. James then single-handedly turned the game around, scoring the first eight points of a 14-0 Heat run. The Mavericks never regained the lead and James would finish with a season-high 42 points.
Fortunately for Dallas, their next two opponents were sub-.500 teams from the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks easily defeated the 76ers and Pistons in back-to-back games. After winning two of three games in week 17, Dallas enters week 18 with a record of 34-23. Dallas will conclude their East Coast trip on Monday before returning home to the American Airlines Center.
Monday, Feb. 24 at New York Knicks
The Mavericks hit the Big Apple looking to even up the season series with the New York Knicks. The Knicks controlled play vs. the Mavericks on their home court on Jan. 5. New York defeated Dallas 92-80 in a game that the Mavericks were never really in.
In their last 10 home games against teams with a record over .500, the Knicks are just 3-7. The Knicks convincing win at the American Airlines Center should ensure Dallas approaches this matchup with the necessary focus it will take to pull off a win.
Stopping Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is always the emphasis when playing New York, but his recent play suggest that task will be even more difficult. Anthony is averaging 40.3 points over his last three games. How well the Mavericks contain the Knicks star will go a long way in determining the outcome of this matchup. The Knicks enter week 18 with a disappointing 21-35 record.
Wednesday, Feb. 26 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Mavericks return home from their East Coast trip for a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have seen the growth in forward Anthony Davis they expected to see in year two but it has not translated to wins for New Orleans. Entering the first week after the All-Star break with a 23-32 record is not where the Pelicans envisioned themselves before the season began.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Pelicans this season. Sharp-shooting forward Ryan Anderson has missed the majority of the season with a herniated disc is his back and a stress fracture in Jrue Holiday’s right tibia has sidelined the talented young point guard.
The Mavericks are catching the Pelicans at the right time. New Orleans has lost six of their last seven matchups with their lone victory in that stretch coming against the lowly Milwaukee Bucks. Dallas has defeated New Orleans in both of their previous matchups this season.
Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Chicago Bulls
No team has endured more significant injuries the last two seasons than the Chicago Bulls. Despite missing franchise player Derrick Rose for the majority of the last two seasons, the Bulls continue to play strong basketball.
Despite their efforts on the court, the Bulls front office began looking ahead as they traded small forward Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 6. The Bulls may have a built in excuse to play sub-par basketball the rest of the season, but they are clearly not built that way. Tom Thibodeau is a hard-nosed coach and his team takes that approach to the court. The Bulls enter week 18 with a record of 29-25 and they are riding a five-game winning streak.
Dallas responded extremely well to a physical team in an 81-73 road victory against the Pacers on Feb. 12 and they will need to take a similar approach in order to beat the rugged Bulls.
Sunday, March 2 at San Antonio Spurs
The Mavericks toughest game of week 18 will be their last one. Dallas travels to San Antonio for their third matchup against the 2013 Western Conference champs. The Spurs are playing without point guard Tony Parker, who is out indefinitely with numerous aches and pains. Parker is said to be nursing a bruised shin, a groin strain and lower back spasms.
The Spurs may not be at full strength, but don’t expect them to be less of a threat to the Mavericks. The Spurs took it to the Mavericks during their first two meetings, winning both games by an average of 10.5 points.
The Mavericks have improved their team defense and rebounding since their two losses at the hands of the Spurs. Dallas will still have their work cut out for them on the defensive end as the Spurs ball movement is decisive and fast. The Spurs offensive efficiency leaves no room for error on the defensive side of the court. Communication and effort are paramount to slowing down the Spurs half-court attack.
The Spurs have are 40-16 overall and they have won two of three games since the All-Star break, including two impressive road wins against the Clippers and Trail Blazers.