Most matchups favor the Mavericks
The Mavs were given slim to no chance to beat the two-time defending Los Angeles Lakers. (Never mind the odds of pulling off the sweep.)
It certainly doesn’t bother Dallas to be considered underdogs in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
“On paper, we don’t necessarily match up well with anybody, when you just go one-on-one right down the line,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “We'd just as soon play the game and see how we do.”
Actually, on paper, the majority of the matchups against Miami favor the Mavs.
Tyson Chandler vs. Joel Anthony? Anthony is a little better shot-blocker, but Chandler is superior in every other aspect of the game.
Dirk Nowitzki vs. Chris Bosh? Bosh is one of the top five power forwards in the NBA. Dirk is one of the top five power forwards of all-time.
Jason Kidd vs. Mike Bibby? Kidd is five years older, but you sure couldn’t tell by the point guards’ performance in this postseason.
The battle of the benches? The Mavs’ reserves led the league with 40.4 points per game this season. The Heat finished dead last with an average of 21.9 bench points.
But the two mismatches in Miami’s favor are major doozies. In fact, they are a pair of the NBA’s top-five players, according to Carlisle: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Jeff "Skin" Wade
Jeff Wade joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN, and also works as sideline analyst for the TV broadcast of all Maverick home games.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast ESPN's Stephen A. Smith chimes in on the Dallas Mavericks' season, their free agency plans and more.
Play Podcast Mike and Mike join Ben and Skin to discuss Jerry Jones' window and the Mavs future. They don't see Dirk Nowitzki leaving even if the Mavs miss out on the dream of Deron Williams or Dwight Howard.
Play Podcast Mavs F Dirk Nowitzki says he's too old to stay with a rebuilding franchise but couldn't imagine himself leaving the city of Dallas.
Play Podcast Is the Dwight Howard to the Mavs dream alive? Dwight still wants out of Orlando and it could open the door for the Mavs to put a proposal together.
Play Podcast Mavs guard Delonte West dishes on his desire to return to the Mavs, his relationship with Lebron James and how he ended up hanging out with Dez Bryant over the weekend.
Play Podcast Ben and Skin discuss the three most important figures for the Rangers, Mavs, and Cowboys. Who is the most vital to the ultimate success of each organization?
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dirk Nowitzki
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.4 | ||||||||||
| Assists | J. Kidd | 5.5 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Kidd | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.3 | ||||||||||
You must be signed in to post a comment