Photo Courtesy: Michael Kolch
By DaVince “Dino” Wright
The Dallas Mavericks went 2-2 last week against some of the leagues best teams. The Mavs had a 10-point win over the Golden State Warriors to stop a 2-game losing streak. Dallas dropped 2 very winnable games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs game really irks me. They were up by 15 at half and let the Cavaliers back into it and found a way to lose the game. This week Dallas will face the Utah Jazz on the road, then have the Portland Trail Blazers (back-to-back at home) and Minnesota Timbervolves at home. Dallas will need to continue to tweak the rotation in order to keep winning games. I see them going 3-1 this week. Let’s take a closer look at this week’s schedule.
How bad do you want it?
I’m a former athlete and I was never that guy to make a team just to become a cheerleader. Playing professional basketball is the dream of millions of young women and men across the world. Here’s where I have a problem. I will not sacrifice my values and core beliefs to become something whether it be an athlete or as a professional. I want to be the best and I cannot display my talents sitting on the bench. I know I can cheer for my team mates. I understand that I’m on a team, but my team needs me to perform so that we can win. I hope that there’s an athlete out there that’s reading this. If you are on the bench, work hard and get off of the bench and get into the game!
Upcoming Schedule – All Times Central
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz
Date: January 1
Time: 8:00 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports
Dallas will need to go deep into their bench during this game. The Jazz is a struggling team and Dallas needs to see what they have sitting on the bench. Practice play is totally different from game time speed. Keep an eye on the defensive side of the ball for Dallas.
Final Score: Jazz 100 – Mavericks 122
Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks
Date: January 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports
This is the first game of a three game home stand. They start things off going against the Trail Blazers for two in a row. Dallas will need to clamp down on defense. The Trail Blazers SF Jeremy Grant is a handful on defense and on the boards. I’m taking Dallas by 10!
Final Score: Trail Blazers 85 – Mavericks 95
Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks
Date: January 5
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports
This is the second game of the home back-to-back series with the Trail Blazers for Dallas. I would like to see the Mavericks using their big men. I can see Tim Hardaway, Jr., moving into the starting line up. They are using him as their sixth man currently. I’m taking Dallas by 14!
Final Score: Trail Blazers 86 – Mavericks 100
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks
Date: January 7
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports
At the time of this article, Dallas is 0-2 against the Timberwolves this season. Dallas has dropped two games to Minnesota by an average of 13 points. The issue is rebounding and turnovers. If Dallas can clean up the turnovers and get 5 more defensive boards they could beat Minnesota. Dallas will need to play tough defense this game. I’m still taking the Timberwolves until the Mavs can prove me wrong and beat them!
Finals Score: Timberwolves 117 – Mavericks 109
