Mavs Youth Secure Big Win over Denver 97-88

Dwight Powell had a career-high 16 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a much needed victory. 

Dwight Powell and Justin Anderson lead the Dallas Mavericks to a critical win over the Denver Nuggets.

by Rodney Fisher

After losing 10 of the their last 12 games, the Mavs needed a big spark from someone. Coach Rick Carlisle has been going deep into his bench looking for someone to step up and provide the needed energy to get this team a win. Tonight, their youngest players on the roster in Dwight Powell and Justin Anderson delivered.

Anderson came alive in the third quarter with key defensive plays and shots on his way to 11 points shooting 5-8 from the floor. Powell put the game away in the fourth quarter going 5-5 on his way to a career-high 16 points. Both young players got the start tonight.

Dwight Powell on his career night:

"You got to always stay ready because opportunity is always around the corner...The guys keep telling me to keep shooting my shots and I did."

J.J. Barea led the team in scoring with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Deron Williams missed another game due to back soreness and David Lee played on 3:52 total.

"Both did a great job. Both grinding on defense and played within themselves. I felt that right now we had to make the point that anything other than your best energy or best effort will not be tolerated" - Rick Carlisle

Key State: Dallas tied a franchise record for turnovers with only four.

With the win the Mavericks move into the 8th and final playoff spot tied with the Houston Rockets who play the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow without Lebron James.

The Mavs will come back home to Dallas to face the New York Knicks in another must win game.

NBA: Nate Robinson To The Denver Nuggets

by Rodney Fisher

Nate Robinson will join the Denver Nuggets. Photo credit NBA 

Our number rated NBA unrestricted free agent left without a team is now reportedly joining the Denver Nuggets. Based on recent reports, Nate Robinson will be joining the Mile High team for the next two years for $4.1 million.

NBA: Chris Kaman and Randy Foye Find New Teams

Chris Kaman headed back to L.A.

by Rodney Fisher

As the NBA free agency period enters it's second week, teams begin the tedious process of filling out rosters with remaining talent.

Chris Kaman, former Dallas Mavericks experiement, agrees to a one year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for the mid-level exception right under $3.2 million. Kaman is no stranger to LA after spending his first eight seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Andre Iguodala's move to the Golden State Warriors has been finalized with a sign-and-trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz along with the Warriors. The Nuggets get Randy Foye from the Jazz and the Warriors get to ship $24 million in salary (Richard Jefferson, Andris Bierdins, Brandon Rush, and future draft  picks) to the Jazz.

George Karl Named 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year

George Karl named NBA Coach of the Year. Photo credit Sports Illustrated

After 21 straight winning seasons in the NBA, Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl has been awarded Coach of the Year for 2012-13. The Nuggets had a league best home record this season of 38-3 and grabbed the number three seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra finished second in voting.

NBA Power Rankings (4/8 - 4/14): Where do the Knicks rank now?

Knicks on a 12-game win streak move up NBA Power Rankings/  picture courtesy of NBA

Time for this week's NBA Power Rankings report. Everyone wants to know where I have the Knicks at now...

by Rodney Fisher

The Sleeper Cell in Denver

Photo courtesy of DenverPost.com

Denver Nuggets have quietly won 13 straight games

The Miami Heat are not

Fans heckles Lamar Odom after loss to Nuggets

Mavs lose to the Nuggets tonight to start the quest to repeat as NBA Champs 0 - 2. For the second day in a row the Champs allow themselves to go down 30+ in a game. Denver's biggest lead of the night was 31.

It was at that point you heard fans react with boo's. Mavs fans in attendance were again going to be escorted early out of the arena without partying in the Old No. 7.

As the team left the court for the locker room after losing 115 - 93 Lamar Odom, who did at least make it the whole game to go 1 of 10, kicked a wet floor sign. Fans that crowded the walkway normally to cheer and take facebook snapshots heckled the players while waiting for Lamar's wife to exit the tunnel. A fans direct comment to Odom saying, "Oh now you wanna get mad?", prompted security to intervene.

Rick Carlisle wants to take responsibility for the Mavs slow start admitting after the game that he does not have this team ready to play. Shawn Marion seems to think that the chemistry is just not there yet saying, "We've still got to get comfortable out there. We're not comfortable with each other on both ends of the floor. We're still trying to learn each other's games...".

Talking with the heckling fan he thinks that blame should start higher up. He feels that if Cuban really wanted to win he would have brought Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, and JJ Barea back.

The Mavs take on the media favorite OKC Thunder next in a road game this Thursday. They could easily return back to the AAC Friday to face the Raptors 0 - 3.

Listen/Download: Mavstalk Postgame Show - Mavs lose to Nuggets 115 - 93

Listen to internet radio with RF Sports Radio on Blog Talk Radio

#Mavs vs #Nuggets Pregame Show LIVE from the AAC 7pm CST Right Here

Mavs try to bounce back against the Nuggets tonight. Join us for the Pregame show and Post game show.

Karl signs extension with Nuggets - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Karl signs extension with Nuggets - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

NBA Trade Rumor: Could the Rockets get Nene from Denver?

Our buddy Bill Ingram of HOOPSWORLD.com hinted to a possible trade that could send Nene to the Houston Rockets. Stay tuned for this one...

Mavs end win streak by buzzer beater in Denver

Affalo hits a game winner with no time left to seal the deal for the Nuggets. The NBA game of the night! Full recap below...

Rapid React: Nuggets 121, Mavs 120 - Dallas Mavericks Blog - ESPN Dallas

Breaking News: Mavs Agree To Trade in 3 Team Deal « dallasmavsblog.com

Breaking News: Mavs Agree To Trade in 3 Team Deal « dallasmavsblog.com

DallasMavsBlog.Com is reporting a trade deal is done to bring Stephen Jackson, JR Smith, and Nene to Dallas...

Is Carmelo going to the Knicks now?? New three team deal invovling Memphis and New York Knicks

Sources: New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies latest teams linked to Carmelo Anthony - ESPN New York

Big Trouble in Big D; Caron Butler out for the season, Dirk missed his 5th straight game



  Today Caron Butler had season ending surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his knee. His last full game with the team he hit 30pts in a loss to the Spurs at home. On the road against the Milwaukee Bucks you can hear him screaming in pain when he hit the knee in the first quarter. You knew then, it was not gonna be good.

  Dirk missed his 5th straight game tonight against the Portland Trailblazers, a win by the way. But they have Oklahoma City and Orlando coming up, so will they rush Dirk back? The "Big German" has been a quick healer. The Mavs are only 3 games ahead of the Lakers and Utah right now. The biggest concern has to be falling further behind the Spurs in the division and the conference.

  Who will step up now? That is the million dollar question for this team. Deshawn Stevenson had 21pts against the Cavaliers and 18pts tonight. JJ Barea hit 29pts in the loss to the Bucks. Tyson Chandler has back-to-back double doubles in rebounds and points. Jet Terry has been a 4th quarter savior in previous games, but is still inconsistent as a 2nd scoring option. Roddy B has not step a foot on the AAC floor this season and the rookie Jones unproven. This team needs a certified second option. The collective effort is good to make the playoffs, but once there, teams will again focus on Dirk and dare the team to beat them. A strategy that has worked the last 3 seasons.

  Is a trade the only option? If Mark Cuban loves anything, he loves the Mavs. Say what you will, but no other owner will "spend-to-win" with no disregard for his personal finances the way Cuban does. The trade is inevitable. Mark has to be on the phone with Denver right? How attractive does Carmelo look now? Every player outside of Nowitzki, Kidd, and Chandler has to be on the table. Caron's contract is up at the end of the season, Kidd is not getting any younger, and Dirk keeps reminding us he is here for only 4 more seasons. The time to trade is now.

  The Mavs were our #1 ranked team in our power rankings before the injury bugs infested the locker room. The team was starting to really gel has a title contender beating good teams like Miami twice, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, and even Boston. You could take a wait-and-see approach, but why? If the trade is out there...make it.



Dallas Mavs vs Denver Nuggets (Halftime Stats)

Jet Terry continues his great game now with 23pts including a huge 3pt'er to pull the Mavs down by only one, 52-53. Dirk has 14pts and Melo leads the Nuggets with only 10pts.
Halftime Stats:
Mavs
45.9% Shooting percentage
50% from 3pt line
23 Rebounds
14 pts in the paint
10 turnovers

Nuggets
51.2% Shooting Percentage
60.7% from 3pt Line
18 Rebounds
18 pts in paint
6 turnovers

Dallas Mavs vs Denver Nuggets (1st Qtr)

End of the first quarter and Mavs are down by 2, 26 - 24. Jet Terry is on fire with 14pts already! Same case down low with the mavs giving up to many pts in the paint and off turnovers...