The Mavs play their 2nd of a 6 game home stand against their former coach Avery Johnson, the only Mavs coach that can say he took the franchise to the finals. "It wasn't just a nudge or push to get that team deep in the playoffs" said Coach Johnson referring to his first season as Mavs head coach. "Thankfully Nelly let me coach some games and practices to help get me ready."
The "Lil General" finds himself in a much different role with the 6-16 Nets, a team on the mend from finishing dead last. He knows that he has to have patience in developing this team with Devin Harris driving plus lottery pick Derrick Favors and the gritty Brook Lopez in the back seat.
The Mavs are on a tear in the NBA with a 10-game win streak. They have also played the role of "streak stopper" this season and now find themselves the hunted. Coach Carlisle realizes that Avery knows these players inside and out. This is ultimately a "trap" game with the Utah Jazz coming in on Saturday. Tyson Chandler is back in the line-up tonight after missing the last game due to a stomach virus. Surprisingly, he wasn't missed much with Ian Mahinmi scoring 12pts and 10 rebounds Tuesday. The team has been able to police themselves from falling victim to these type of "trap" games this season, tonight they will have to do it again.
