| March Madness Authored by Jeff Stotts - March 12, 2006 - 2:25 pm
The Mavericks weren’t expecting March to be like February. It’s hard to match a month where you lose just one game and play some of your best basketball. Yet so far March can be described as chaotic at best as the Mavericks are struggling for consistency and scrambling to find players to fill minutes as various injuries pile up.
Since the month began, the Mavs have posted a modest 4-2 record when compared to their 10-1 record for the entire month of February. The two losses have been demoralizing coming in statement games against the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs. In both games the Mavs held double digit leads only to see their energy level diminish and those leads evaporate. The wins haven’t come easy either as Portland, Charlotte, and Utah have all hung around until the fourth quarter. It may be unfair to judge Dallas by their recent play but for a team in the midst of a division title battle with the current champs, one loss could be the difference between the #1 seed and the fourth seed.
Coach Avery Johnson’s frustration with his team’s play was apparent following the recent home win against Portland. Johnson said scheduling and injuries cannot be used as excuses but it’s hard not to look to the recent plague of injuries that has infected Dallas. Josh Howard is struggling with a hamstring strain that has put him in street clothes for the past four games. His defensive ability and offensive spark were obviously missing in the loss to Phoenix. Backup point guard Devin Harris returned to the lineup after missing four games with a sore quadriceps. His return was much needed and it was apparent how much Dallas missed his ability to penetrate the lane. Unfortunately the second year guard reaggravated the quad in Utah and may miss more time. Adrian Griffin was another casualty in Salt Lake City as he went down with a hamstring injury early in the fourth. The list continues as Keith Van Horn remains out for several weeks after suffering a sprained ligament in his knee. While the Mavs may be the deepest team in the league even they can’t lose this many players without seeing a slight decline in play. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Howard’s return is imminent and will help ease the loss of Griffin if the veteran swingman misses time. Jerry Stackhouse seems to have regained his stroke and, despite playing with a heavy heart with the recent loss of a family member, Jason Terry continues to shoot lights out from thee-point range. Couple these two players with Dirk Nowitzki’s MVP-caliber play and it is clear all is not lost for the Mavs.
Despite their recent struggles the Mavericks remain a game up on San Antonio, right where they were when March began. In fact thanks to the Detroit Pistons’ recent struggles the Mavs are a half game back for the best record in the NBA. While no one in the Dallas organization is happy with their current play it is way too early to press the panic button. The team remains unified in their efforts to win the division and are deep enough to ease the burden of the recent string of injuries. February was amazing and so far March has been, in typical March fashion, maddening but for a team with title aspirations the only month they are considered with is June. |
