Hey Mavs fans, I had the pleasure of enjoying two games this week in which the two least popular teams in the NBA got beat by the Mavericks. And by "two least popular teams", I mean least popular with me. (Golden State Warriors, least popular, and Miami Heat, second least popular) Dallas was strong and looked good against Golden State leading most of that game at home on Wednesday. I hate to say it was a blow out because really Golden State can score so quickly, that itisn 't a blow out until the game is over. That being said, I'm glad Dallas blew Golden State out making a statement at home. The Mavericks have certainly turned the tables on the Warriors this season going 2-0 this season against them, after of course losing every regular season game against them last year.
However, after watching the Mavs barely beat a severely depleted Miami Heat team tonight, I couldn't help but wonder what Avery Johnson is up to in his mad scientist lab. I have noticed that Avery has really played with the starting rotation a lot this season with the addition of Eddie Jones (from the Heat) and Brandon Bass to the starting lineup throughout the season thus far. I have a feeling that the starting lineup might change a little bit more for probably the next 12 to 18 games to get exactly the right starting five and have the right bench players in place to maximize potential for success. I would also look for the possibility of a trade for the right guy to come off the bench if there is a hole in the back up team. This is all my own personal speculation, but I have a feeling that because Avery wasn 't screaming at the top of his lungs at the half tonight in the locker room, he might have something up his sleeve. Either that, or he is tired of Scott Van Pelt's bad imitation of him on Sports Center.
Miami only dressed 9 players tonight only one of which was a starter in Udonis Haslem and they played exceptional. I almost caught myself wanting to route for them because they were so over matched in Dallas. It wasn't much of a revenge victory because Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O'neal didn't play. The good news is that Dirk is back to leading the team in scoring and rebounding like the days of old. Should be interesting to see how the Mavs stand up against a real test in the Detroit Pistons come Wednesday in Dallas. Go Mavericks.
-Mathis
