Catching up…
My apologies for this recent hiatus from Mavs coverage.  But have no worries, I have not been ignoring Dallas Mavericks basketball.  Since we last talked, the Mavs have managed to reel off four consecutive victories…two of which took overtime to finish off. The Mavs won three of four on their recent road trip.  Every game wasn’t easy nor pretty but the Mavs dug deep and managed to finish each game with more points than the opponent.  I wish I could cover every game like a beat writer but my schedule just does not allow it.  Let’s take a brief look at the four games we have yet to discuss. Friday, November 13 Mavericks 89 Timberwolv

Short-handed Spurs top the Mavs
Spurs 92 Mavericks 83 Record:  5-3 Starting Lineups: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier George Hill, Keith Bogans, Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, Antonio McDyess Observations: - Howard is starting…let’s monitor his minutes tonight - No Tim Duncan or Tony Parker for San Antonio; Rookie DeJuan Blair is starting. - Mavs started 0-6 from the field. - Shots aren’t falling for the Mavs…no penetration. - Mavs engage in a 2-3 zone which seems to be bothering the Spurs who went over five minutes without scor

Another offensive explosion leads to a Mavs victory
Mavericks 121 Raptors 103 Record: 5-2 Starting Lineups: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes Observations: - Drew Gooden is active but not starting. Matt Carroll is a healthy scratch. - Two first quarter blocks for Damp - Two early fouls for Josh Howard…checks out with 6:08 remaining in the first. - Gooden in checks in for the first time since injuring his rib cage. - Aaron Brooks is proving to be a tough cover…too much speed for the Mavs. - Tw

Josh returns…Mavs win
Mavericks 129 Raptors 101 Record: 4-2 Starting Lineups: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani Observations: - First quarter: 26-25 Mavs; Field goal percentage: Toronto 44%; Dallas 46% - Second quarter: 55-48 Mavs; Field goal percentage: Toronto 38%; Dallas 52%; Dirk scored 16 in the first half, Josh Howard scored 13 in 20 minutes - Third quarter: 85-70 Mavs; Field goal percentage: Toronto 38%; Dallas 56%; Dirk had 29 points through three quarters - Fourth quarter: 129-101

Tough loss in NOLA
Hornets 114 Mavericks 107 Record: 3-2 Starting Lineups: Jason Kidd, Rodrigue Beaubois, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Julian Wright, David West, Emeka Okafor Observations: - Damp 5 for 5 on starts; Gooden and Ross sitting out with injuries. - The rookie Rodrigue “Roddy” Beaubois is filling in for Ross at starting shooting guard. – This moves keeps Jason Terry and JJ Barea coming off the bench. - A possible called play on the first possession…Kidd throws an alley-oop to a streaking Roddy for the first bucke