Shawn Marion is game-time decision
Smith's evaluation will ultimately decide if Marion will return from a two-game absence tonight to face Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Officially, Marion is listed as a game-time decision.
"Feeling better," Marion said after the shootaround. "Don't know yet [about playing]. We've got to talk about it."
Marion's presence in the lineup would be significant because arguably no one has guarded Kobe, the league's leading scorer, better. Marion has limited him to a 14.5-point average in two games with a shooting percentage below 30.
If Marion can't go, the Mavs must figure out a way to defend the 6-foot-6 Bryant. That likely will fall some on Vince Carter, Rodrigue Beaubois and, in spurts, Jason Kidd, who hounded Kobe in crunch time during last season's playoff sweep.
Asked if he was ready to take that challenge, Kidd smiled and said, "It's early."
Maybe he'll be ready after a nap.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
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.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | D. Collison | 5.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | D. Collison | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | E. Brand | 1.3 | ||||||||||
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