The Dallas Mavericks gutted out a nice home win yesterday against the pesky Blazers.  Dirk  Nowitzki only shot 7 of 20 from the floor and he turned the ball over six times but he still led the way for the Mavericks last night with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists.  Jason Kidd turned back the clock last night as he had an outstanding game.  He hit 6 of 10 shots from three point range and he filled up the box score with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot in 34 minutes on the floor.  Jason Terry pitched in with 10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 2 steals in 27 minutes on the floor.  The Mavericks are now up 1-0 in this series.

This could be a very interesting series as the matchups look pretty close in this series. I think this series has the potential to be the best one of he first round of the NBA Playoffs. Here’s a look at how I see the matchups in this series:

POINT GUARD: Andre Miller might be getting up there in age but he’s still a very solid point guard. Miller played in 81 games (all starts) for the Trailblazers this year and he averaged 32.7 minutes, 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Miller has aged a lot better than Jason Kidd, so I look for him to have a good series for the Blazers.

Jason Kidd is suddenly looking like he is toast. The Mavericks are hoping that he can get up for one more big playoff run. Kidd played in 80 games (all starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 33.2 minutes, 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. I’m thinking that J.J. Barea is going to get a lot of P.T. in this series.

EDGE: TRAILBLAZERS

SHOOTING GUARD: Wesley Matthews was a lifesaver for the Blazers this year due to the injuries to Brandon Roy. Matthews played in 82 games (69 starts) for the Blazers this year and he averaged 33.6 minutes, 15.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. I think he’s going to have a good series for the Blazers.

DeShawn Stevenson is likely going to start at shooting guard for the Mavericks. He played in 72 games (54 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 16.1 minutes, 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. The Mavericks are hoping that Stevenson gives them solid defense while he is on the court.

EDGE: BLAZERS

SMALL FORWARD: Gerald Wallace plays hard at both ends of the court and he’s going to bring a lot of energy to the Blazers in this series. Wallace played in 23 games (15 starts) for the Blazers after coming over in a deal with the Bobcats and he averaged 35.7 minutes, 15.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Shawn Marion is going to have his hands full with Wallace. Marion played in 80 games (27 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 28.2 minutes, 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Marion will have to get his shots off so that he makes Wallace work at both ends of the court.

EDGE: BLAZERS

POWER FORWARD: LaMarcus Aldridge carried the Blazers’ offensively most of this season. He played in 81 games (all starts) for the Trailblazers this year and he averaged 39.6 minutes, 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.2 blocked shots per game. The Blazers are going to need Aldridge to play hard on both ends of the court in an effort to tire Dirk Nowitzki out.

Dirk Nowitzki is still an outstanding player for the Mavericks. He played in 73 games (all starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. The Mavericks are going to need Nowitzki to play good defense in this series as he will be needed inside. Offensively though, the Mavericks won’t change a thing with him.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR MAVERICKS

CENTER: Marcus Camby is ready to go for the playoffs. He played in 59 games (51 starts) for the Trailblazers last season and he averaged 26.1 minutes, 4.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game. The Blazers are going to ask Camby to play defense and rebound. Whatever offense he gives them will be a bonus.

Tyson Chandler has been the tough guy that the Mavericks have been looking for. He played in 74 games (all starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 27.8 minutes, 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. I have a feeling that the Mavs are going to go inside to Chandler a little more than usual in this series.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR MAVERICKS

BENCH: The Trailblazers will likely not use a lot of guys off the bench in this series. SF Nicolas Batum will get the most P.T., especially when the Blazers so with their smaller lineup. He played in 80 games (67 starts) for the Blazers this year and he averaged 31.5 minutes, 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. SG Brandon Roy will try to gut out a few minutes in this series with his bad wheels. Roy played in 47 games (23 starts) for the Blazers this year and he averaged 27.9 minutes, 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. SG/SF Rudy Fernandez will also likely get some P.T. in this series. He played in 78 games (3 starts) for the Blazers this year and he averaged 23.3 minutes, 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Young point guard Patrick Mills likely won’t get much P.T. in this series. He played in 64 games (0 starts) for the Trailblazers this year and he averaged 12.2 minutes, 5.5 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Recently signed center Earl Barron is likely to get a few minutes in this series. Barron played in 2 games (1 start) for the Blazers this year and he averaged 18.5 minutes, 3.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Jason Terry will provide instant offense for the Mavericks in this series. He played in 82 games (10 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 31.3 minutes, 15.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. J.J. Barea will likely get a lot of time at PG in this series. He played in 81 games (2 starts) for the Mavs this year and he averaged 20.6 minutes, 9.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. SF Pejz Stojakovic is a battle tested veteran who can help the Mavs in the playoffs. He played in 25 games (13 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 20.2 minutes, 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Center Brendan Haywood will give Tyson Chandler a break when he needs one. Haywood played in 72 games (8 starts) for the Mavs this year and he averaged 18.5 minutes, 4.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. SG Rodrigue Beaubois has a sprained foot or he would be starting in this series. He has played in 28 games (26 starts) for the Mavericks so far this year and he is averaging 17.7 minutes, 8.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. SG/SF Corey Brewer came to the Mavs late in the year and he’s a solid defensive player. Brewer played in 13 games (2 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 11.4 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

EDGE: MAVERICKS

COACHING: Nate McMillan did a solid job for the Trailblazers this year. He is 458-429 (51.6%) during the regular season in his career and he is 12-16 (42.9%) during the playoffs. McMillan will likely keep alternating big and small lineups in this series in an effort to dictate the way this series is played.

Rick Carlisle has been a solid head coach for a while now. He is 443-295 (60%) during the regular season and he is 37-41 (47.4%) during the playoffs in his career so far. Carlisle has been very successful during the regular season but now it’s time for him to step up in the playoffs.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR MAVERICKS

PREDICTION: The Mavericks are going to have to bring their A-games to hold off the Blazers, who have some edges in this series.  I think the Mavericks are going to win but it’s going to be in six very hard fought games.

The Mavericks laid an egg last night and now their season is over. Dirk Nowitzki led the way for the Mavericks last night with 33 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Caron Butler also did his part finishing with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocked shots. Rodrigue Beaubois was solid off the bench for the Mavs last night with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 21 minutes on the floor. The Mavericks disappointing lose this series 4-2 to the division and state rival San Antonio Spurs.

The Mavericks destroyed the Spurs last night as they outrebounded them 52-41 and they held them to 35.9% shooting from the floor!  Caron Butler had his best game ever for the Mavericks with 35 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 blocked shot.  Dirk Nowitzki also filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.  Shawn Marion (10 points), Jason Terry (12 points) and Jason Kidd (10 points) all pitched in offensively for the Mavericks in this game.  The Mavericks are now down 3-2 in this series so they can’t afford any slip ups the rest of this series…..they have to bring their A-Game.

The Mavericks got sucked into playing the Spurs kind of game and it’s very hard to beat them that way. Dirk Nowitzki led the way for the Mavs with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in this game. Caron Butler also had a solid game with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Shawn Marion pitched in with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist in this contest. Jason Kidd (10 points), Jason Terry (13 points) and Brendan Haywood (10 points) pitched in offensively in the game for the Mavericks. The Mavericks are now a desperate team as they are down 3-1 to the Spurs in this series.

The Mavericks were outscored 28-20 in the 4th quarter of this game and it doomed them in the end. Dirk Nowitzki led the way for the Mavericks as usual in this game with 35 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Jason Terry also had a decent game with 17 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench. Jose Juan Barea played 32 minutes in this game off the bench finishing with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. The Mavericks are now down 2-1 in this series.

The Spurs dictated the pace and how this game was played and it hurt the Mavericks badly last night. The Mavericks only shot 36.5% from the floor last night and they were outrebounded 51-42 which did them in. You can’t blame Jason Terry for this loss as he led the way for the Mavericks in this game with 27 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in 41 minutes off the bench. Dirk Nowitzki had a tough night for the Mavs shooting only 9 of 24 from the floor as he finished up with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Caron Butler also had a rough night shooting only 6 of 17 from the floor and finishing with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. The Mavericks are tied 1-1 in this series as they travel to San Antonio this weekend.

The Mavericks played tough around the basket in this game outrebounding the Spurs 45-37 and it was a big reason for a tough fought win last night. Dirk Nowitzki was on fire last night as he shot 12 of 14 from the floor to finish with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot to lead the way for the Mavericks. Caron Butler also had a really solid game finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals last night. Jason Kidd was excellent running the offense yesterday for the Mavs as he finished up with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals. Brendan Haywood had 10 points and 6 rebounds in only 18 minutes on the court for the Mavs in this game. The Mavericks are up 1-0 in this series.

This is a playoff series between two heated Texas rivals. I’m thinking this could be an upset in the first round if the Mavericks don’t bring their A-Game every night. Here is a closer look at the matchups in this series:

Point Guard: Tony Parker is going to play big minutes in this series as he’s back from his broken hand. Parker played in 56 games (50 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 30.9 minutes, 16.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. He is not a pure point guard like Jason Kidd but he plays big when the games really count in the post season and he has the rings to prove it.

Jason Kidd is one of the best point guards in NBA history but he’s starting to slow down a bit. He played in 80 games (all starts) for the Mavericks this season and he averaged 36.0 minutes, 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He is tougher around the basket than Parker is.

EDGE: EVEN

Shooting Guard: The Spurs will likely use Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup in this series. He will pose a couple of problems for the Mavericks as he’s smaller and faster than Caron Butler is. Ginobili played in 75 games (21 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 28.7 minutes, 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He has never seen a big shot that he didn’t want to take in his career.

Caron Butler is a solid defensive player and he should have little problem posting up Ginobili down low. Butler played in 27 games (all starts) for the Mavericks after coming over in a trade with the Wizards and he averaged 34.4 minutes, 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

EDGE: EVEN

Small Forward: Richard Jefferson is likely going to start at small forward for the Spurs in this series. He got benched for a while but he picked up his game instead of sulking on the bench. Jefferson played in 81 games (70 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 31.1 minutes, 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Jefferson is better than that and the playoffs is the reason they traded for him.

Shawn Marion is starting to slow down a bit as a player. He does all of the little things the Mavericks need to win games. Marion played in 75 games (all starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 31.8 minutes, 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

EDGE: EVEN

Power Forward: This will be the matchup to watch in this series. Tim Duncan vs. Dirk Nowitzki. Duncan still has a lot left in his gas tank. He played in 78 games (77 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 31.3 minutes, 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. I think the Spurs are going to keep Duncan on Nowitzki all of the time defensively which will be fun to watch.

Dirk Nowitzki is still an incredible player to behold. He can shoot like a guard but he’s tough enough to go into the paint and rebound too. He is like a modern day Larry Bird (minus the titles). Nowitzki played in 81 games (80 starts) for the Mavericks this season and he averaged 37.5 minutes, 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Look for the other Mavericks players to benefit if Duncan comes out of the paint to guard Nowitzki in this series.

EDGE: EVEN

Center: Antonio McDyess will likely start at center for the Spurs in this series. He played in 77 games (50 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 21.0 minutes, 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. McDyess will likely play around half of the game focusing on defense and rebounding.

Erick Dampier will get the call for the Mavericks. He played in 55 games (47 starts) for the Mavericks this season and he averaged 23.3 minutes, 6.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Dampier should be motivated now that he is back in the starting lineup.

EDGE: EVEN

BENCH: The Spurs have a pretty solid bunch coming off the bench for them in this series. George Hill will likely get the most P.T. of this bunch. He can play either guard spot. Hill played in 78 games (43 starts) this season for the Mavericks and he averaged 29.2 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. DeJuan Blair will also get a lot of P.T. in this series. The rookie played in 82 games (23 starts) for the Spurs this season and he averaged 18.2 minutes, 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Matt Bonner will also get a lot of P.T. in this series as he is a big man with a nice outside shot. Bonner played in 65 games (8 starts) this season for the Spurs and he averaged 17.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Roger Mason and Keith Bogans are both small forward/shooting guard types who will also likely get some minutes in this series.

Jason Terry is a great offensive player off the bench for the Mavericks. He played in 77 games (12 starts) for the Mavericks this year and he averaged 33.0 minutes, 16.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. I look for him to have a good series for the Mavericks. Brendan Haywood will likely play around half of the game at center in this series. He played in 28 games (19 starts) for the Mavericks this season averaging 26.5 minutes, 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Jose Juan Barea, Rodrigue Beaubois, DeShawn Stevenson and Eduardo Najera could also get some P.T. in this series.

EDGE: EVEN

Coach: Gregg Popovich is a big time basketball coach. He led the Spurs to a 50-32 record (61%) this season. Popovich has a 14-year record of 736-362 (67%) as the Spurs’ head coach during the regular season. Pop has a 102-63 (61.8%) record in his post season career with the Spurs and he has led them to 4 NBA Championships. He will be ready for this series.

Rick Carlisle led the Mavericks to a 55-27 record (67.1%) this season. He now has a two year record of 105-59 (64%) with the Mavericks. He is 5-5 (50%) in his post season career with the Mavericks. Carlisle is a good basketball coach so I look for him to have his team ready for what awaits in this series.

EDGE: SPURS

PREDICTION: I think the Spurs are going to be highly motivated for this series. I think they will upset the Mavericks in a 7 game series for the ages.

The Mavericks season ended last night despite a strong effort and it cost Avery Johnson his coaching job. Dirk Nowitzki led the way for the Mavericks with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots. Jason Kidd had a decent game on offense with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists but he had problems guarding Chris Paul again. Jason Terry only shot 4 of 11 from the floor but he finished with 13 points and 9 assists. The Mavericks lost this series 4-1.