Dallas Mavericks @ Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday 8:00 PM
Preview: The Mavericks are 4-2 (2-0 away) Their last game was a last second shot for the win by Nowitzki over the Celtics 89-87. The Grizzlies are 4-4 (2-1 home) Their last game was a win over the Suns 109-99.
The Mavericks are looking decent this season, especially on the defensive end, only allowing 91.8 ppg (4th in NBA). They have posted wins over teams as solid as the Nuggets, and more recently the Celtics, where Dirk Nowitzki hit a last second jumper to win the game. The Grizzlies are still trying to find their identity as a defensive team, allowing 106.3 ppg (25th in NBA) We know this team can put up the points (105.6 ppg, 5th in NBA) and are very solid in the rebound game with 42.3 per game.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
PF Dirk Nowitzki vs PF Zach Randolph
Offensively, both of these guys know how to score. Yesterday vs the Suns, Randolph put up 23 points, and better than that, he grabbed 20 boards off of the glass. He is averaging a double double this season with 14.8 ppg and 11.5 rebounds per game. On the other side, Nowitzki is putting up the points and is in the top five scoring leaders race with 25.7 ppg. He hasn't been going crazy from behind the three point line yet though, only four threes total and hes only made one....
SG Jason Terry vs SG OJ Mayo
Both of these guys know how to score. Terry is averaging 18.8 ppg and Mayo averages 17.8 per game. Both players really favor each other in playing styles, very smooth game play with the ability to pull up and shoot from anywhere on the floor. Both are very agile when they move the court, and can command a double team if they catch fire...
FINAL NOTES:
Can the Grizzlies shape up that defense before going up against a Dallas team that can really put up some points? They have the offensive firepower to really get it going, this could be a game based on who can score more, although this Mavericks defense has the ability to stifle this Grizzlies offense. Also, this game will be determined on the boards, and both teams are neck and neck in that category.(Mavs ranked 10th in NBA with 42.7 rpg; Grizzlies ranked 13th in NBA with 42.3) rpg) But at this point, the team that looks more polished all around will win this one
Dallas 98
Grizzlies 94
LA Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Thursday 10:30 PM
Preview: The Lakers are 7-0 (2-0 away) Last game they worked the Trailblazers, winning 121-96. The Nuggets are 4-3 (2-1 home) On Monday the Nuggets couldn't pull out a win versus the Bulls, losing 94-92...
The Lakers are just plain hot. Thats to be expected from a championship team that features Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, and Lamar Odom. Who would have thought Kobe would come second to Gasol? Well so far this season he has. Gasol has outscored Kobe 24.1 to 22.2 ppg this year. The Lakers also rank 1st in points per game (114.3) 2nd in rebounds per game (46.3) and 3rd in assists per game (24). The Nuggets are pretty sub-par this year. No big stats coming from these guys, but they do shut teams down on the defensive end, only allowing 96.4 ppg (8th in NFL). The Nuggets are beating the tough teams, they've split the series with the Mavs so far and opened up excellently versus a tough team in the Utah Jazz.
KEY MATCHUPS
SF Carmelo Anthony vs SF Ron Artest
If you want to set up a defensive team, you would definitely want to have Artest at Small Forward. But as of late he has been stepping up his 3pt shooting, nailing three in the Lakers win over the Kings, and this season he is shooting 39% from behind the arc. We all know what Melo brings to the table. Since playing in the NBA, he has averaged 24.7 ppg and this season his average is 25.7 and he is top five in the NBA in scoring. He is very versatile, does command a double team as a slasher as well as someone who can pull up and shoot from just about anywhere.
PG Derek Fisher vs PG Chauncey Billups
Derek Fisher has been a dependable gaurd in his career for the Lakers. He always seems to lock his man down and come through in the clutch. This season has been no different. He is playing his part, and is definitely hitting from outside, shooting 66% from deep. But his matchup is no slouch from downtown either. In fact, Chauncey Billups is known for his ability to shoot threes and perform when the game is on the line. Billups is actually having more output than Fisher this season. Lets take a look:
Chauncey Billups
15.3 ppg
4.6 apg
1.6 spg
Derek Fisher
9.9 ppg
2.4 apg
1.3 spg
FINAL NOTES
The key to this game will be who will get more solid bench production. I see a better and deeper bench coming from the Nuggets, who have Al Harrington, Ty Lawson, and JR Smith coming in to back up the starters vs Steve Blake, Shannon Brown, and Matt Barnes for the Lakers. Also, this game can be shaped by Pau Gasol. If he can get into a rhythm early vs the young Shelden Williams, it will tough to try to contain him late in the game. He may require a double team and that will definitely free up Kobe Bryant to do, well, all the things that Kobe Bryant does. This will be an exciting game...
UPSET ALERT!
Nuggets 110
Lakers 107
Heres the rest of the games for the next 3 days:
Tuesday Night
New Orleans Hornets vs LA Clippers
The Hornets are undefeated this year, and with Chris Paul commanding the team in perfect form so far, look for him to control this one with the added help of David West and Marco Belinelli....
Hornets 98
Clippers 80
Detroit Pistons @ Portland Trailblazers
The Pistons are struggling. They really dont have a solid big man so they dont average a lot of boards. Meanwhile, Marcus Camby happens to be wreaking havoc down low averaging 3 blocks per game. The Trailblazers as a whole have been playing some really great defense and solid offense which has lead them to a 5-3 record....
Trailblazers 92
Pistons 79
Minnesota Timberwolves @ LA Lakers
The Lakers are undefeated coming into this one, and a loss here is highly unlikely. Player skill surpasses that of the Wolves, who have mustered up just one win so far this season
Lakers 111
Timberwolves 87
Philadelphia 76ers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
This game may actually be a little closer than it seems. The Sixers are what i like to call a strong 2-5. Elton Brand is really playing some great ball (18.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Evan Turner continues to be mature and solid as a rookie playing the SG position. But in the end the Thunder are still a more well rounded team, and they have this player named Kevin Durant on their side...
Thunder 105
76ers 98
LA Clippers @ San Antonio Spurs
We like what the Spurs have going here. They have kind of been playing with a chip on their shoulders. The old guys are getting it done tho, and the tandem of Duncan/Genobli/Parker may be the big three of the West....just sayin...
Spurs 99
Clippers 87
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Sacremento Kings
The Kings are 3-3, and not apart of the 1 win crew. Tyreke Evans is looking good this year he is top ten in scorers this year...
Kings 95
Timberwolves 90
Key match-ups this week as teams scrounge for a victory. The divisions already have some clear cut leaders and teams are going to want to tighten those gaps....Lets see how this week turns out, and check back with us in 3 days for the next slate of games on the Endzone Jumper...
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