Mavericks @ Hornets .... 11/4/09

[Copperhead]

Preview

Coming off a record-breaking fourth-quarter performance, Dirk Nowitzki will try to help the Dallas Mavericks snap a four-game road losing streak against the Southwest Division rival New Orleans Hornets.


The way New Orleans has been playing defense, Dallas appears to have a good chance to end that skid.

The Mavericks look to ride Nowitzki to their fourth straight victory Wednesday night when they visit the struggling Hornets.

Nowitzki scored 40 points, including a team-record 29 in the fourth quarter, as Dallas (3-1) rallied from a 16-point deficit with 8:17 remaining to defeat Utah 96-85 on Tuesday night.

After totaling 52 points in the first three quarters, the Mavericks outscored the Jazz 44-18 in the fourth.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=291104003

I'm not particularly sure of the Mavs' starting lineup so I just went with what they used in last nights game against the Jazz.

[Houston Suns]

Hornets played great down the stretch!

[Copperhead]

I couldn't believe Peja hit that 3 to take the game into overtime after he hadn't made a shot all doggone night.

[Copperhead]

Recap

NEW ORLEANS -- Byron Scott had been stewing for more than a day over the Hornets' recent 0-2 road trip to Boston and New York when he finally snapped during shootaround as New Orleans prepared to host the Dallas Mavericks.


"We're not a team. We're just a collection of individual basketball players right now," Scott recalled telling his players Wednesday. "I'm pretty good at holding things in for a little while, but when I let 'em out, I kind of let 'em out. I kind of let it out this morning."

Perhaps later this season, the Hornets will look back on their coach's rant as a turning point.

Peja Stojakovic hit a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation and Chris Paul scored six of his 39 points in overtime, lifting the New Orleans Hornets to a 114-107 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night, snapping Dallas' three-game winning streak.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291104003

[og15]

I couldn't believe Peja hit that 3 to take the game into overtime after he hadn't made a shot all doggone night.

Even though he hadn't made anything, even the last time before when Paul got an offensive foul, I was saying "Peja this is your time to shine". I was so happy he made that.

Dallas' choking at the line definitely also helped the Hornets. Giving up offensive rebounds is still a problem though. Okafor had another solid game, and like I knew in the off-season, while he's not nearly as good as Chandler at rolling off a pick for the oop, he's a much better offensive player. Okafor can be given the ball in the post to make something happen. His mid-range jumpshot was also on last night which was an added bonus, and he can post up and make a move on his defender, or use a drop step and finish with either hand. He also had some nice blocks down the stretch, mainly that one on Marion.

[Copperhead]

I couldn't believe Peja hit that 3 to take the game into overtime after he hadn't made a shot all doggone night.

Even though he hadn't made anything, even the last time before when Paul got an offensive foul, I was saying "Peja this is your time to shine". I was so happy he made that.

Dallas' choking at the line definitely also helped the Hornets. Giving up offensive rebounds is still a problem though. Okafor had another solid game, and like I knew in the off-season, while he's not nearly as good as Chandler at rolling off a pick for the oop, he's a much better offensive player. Okafor can be given the ball in the post to make something happen. His mid-range jumpshot was also on last night which was an added bonus, and he can post up and make a move on his defender, or use a drop step and finish with either hand. He also had some nice blocks down the stretch, mainly that one on Marion.

I remember reading something recently where either CP or West said they were excited to be able to throw the ball in the post.