Mar 21, 2002 11:23 AM EST
The race for the top spot in the Western Conference has turned into a four-team horse race between the Mavericks, Sacramento, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers. Only 2 1/ 2 games separate the four teams, with each one jockeying for the best position heading into next month's playoffs.
The Mavericks appear to have the toughest remaining schedule because they play nine of their final 15 games on the road. That includes playing four sets of back-to-back games and going against 11 teams whose won-lost record is above .500.
"We went through our easy period about a week and a half ago, so now we're in one of our toughest positions of the year," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said. "San Antonio just went through an easy stretch, and now they're getting that tough schedule just like we are."
Via Star Telegram
Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Mar 21, 2002 11:04 AM EST
With Tim Duncan supplying 25 points, Bruce Bowen pressuring Kobe Bryant and nearly everyone else in a silver-and-black uniform playing solid team defense, Robinson helped hold down O'Neal as the Spurs routed the Lakers 108-90 in front of 30,775 at the Alamodome.
In ending their six-game losing streak to the Lakers, the Spurs also won for the 10th consecutive game to match their longest winning streak of the season.
"It feels good to end the six-game losing streak in grand fashion," Rose said. "But it doesn't mean anything. It's just like (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) said, 'It's one more win and one less loss.' But it does feel good until about 1 in the morning, and then I'm going to let it go."
Via San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Mar 20, 2002 11:59 AM EST
Kobe Stopper? Bruce Bowen doesn't want to hear it.
Bowen has a hard enough time shedding labels, and as flattering as that one sounds, it's also not the most accurate.
The NBA, as last season's Finals attest to, has yet to invent a Kobe Stopper. If Ruben Patterson wants to anoint himself as such which he did two seasons ago in Seattle that's fine. Just excuse Bowen if he doesn't also want to wear the title.
"That's not smart," Bowen said. "All that does is fuel his fire."
Via San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers
Read the Full Story
Discuss
Send Feedback
Buy Tickets
Lakers Mar 2002 Archive
-
Dallas Morning News | Mar 20, 2002
Jodie Valade of the Dallas Morning News reports that, in their fourth attempt, the Mavericks finally found a gameplan that worked against the Lakers, resulting in a 114-98 victory at home.
-
Dallas Morning News | Mar 19, 2002
Lessons learned by the Mavericks in their first clashing of the week against the LA Lakers:
1.
-
Star Telegram | Mar 19, 2002
Progress is being made, even if victories aren't.
-
Dallas Morning News | Mar 18, 2002
Imagine Jim Cleamons coaching the Lakers against the Mavericks.
-
Star Telegram | Mar 18, 2002
LOS ANGELES - Another Mavericks-Lakers game in Los Angeles presented yet another opportunity for the visitors to leave town with that same old empty feeling.
-
San Antonio Express-News | Mar 18, 2002
For all the enthusiasm their current nine-game winning streak has generated, and all the talk about achieving their "short-term goal" of catching Dallas for the Midwest Division title, the Spurs still figure, at some point, they will have to get around to beating the only Western Conference team they haven't beaten all season.
-
Los Angeles Times | Mar 17, 2002
Not picking up the fourth year option on the rookie contract of Devean George may be a move which comes back to bite the Lakers, reports Tim Brown of the Los Angeles Times.
-
New York Times | Mar 16, 2002
Associated Press reports that the Blazers' Dale Davis and Golden State's Danny Fortson have both been suspended for two games.
-
| Mar 15, 2002
-
Sacramento Bee | Mar 13, 2002
Maybe having the name Charles means the willingness to share opinions on any subject.
-
San Antonio Express-News | Mar 11, 2002
-
| Mar 7, 2002
Far be it from Andrei Kirilenko to disagree with a legendary coach.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
The capacity crowd was on its feet.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
For just the second time in 14 tries, the Jazz finally did it.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
Phil Jackson squeezed out a tortured smile and dropped into that disapproving tone of his, the one he saves for these occasions when the opponent has ruffled his purist sensibilities, the referees have been unhelpful and his Lakers have just stunned him with a sudden burst of ineptitude.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
84
It was the Jazz's turn Wednesday night, and they probably had an inkling soon after the start of their 92-84 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
After holding Kobe Bryant to three points on 0-for-9 shooting in the second half of Utah's 92-84 win over the Lakers on Wednesday, Jazz rookie Andrei Kirilenko predicted the challenge will be much different April 9 in Los Angeles.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
Lakers center Shaquille O"Neal and Jazz center Greg Ostertag both celebrated birthdays on Wednesday, but Utah rookie Jarron Collins may have been in the best mood at the end of the night.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
The Jazz did more than knock off the world champs to get a monkey off their back Wednesday night, they watched their kids grow up.
-
| Mar 7, 2002
-- NBA dynasties rise and fall and rise again.
-
| Mar 6, 2002
Let's get this out of the way quickly: Reggie Miller is not an angel.
-
| Mar 6, 2002
-- Heading into the homestretch of the season, the Jazz don"t appear to have much risk of missing the playoffs.
-
| Mar 6, 2002
Against most teams, the Jazz are big enough.
-
| Mar 5, 2002
The Lakers are not the perfect team, Nelson tells DallasBasketball.
-
| Mar 4, 2002
Will That Be Decaf, Sir?
-
| Mar 4, 2002
With Kobe Bryant serving the first game of his suspension, Shaquille O'Neal did not have to share the load and easily did whatever necessary for the Lakers to take an easy 95-79 rout of the Rockets Sunday at Staples Center.
-
| Mar 4, 2002
The Nets are winning, there is no doubt, and second year phenom Kenyon Martin is a huge reason for that.
-
| Mar 2, 2002
Main Event: Shaq & Kobe Vs Brad & Reggie
-
| Mar 1, 2002
Miller and the Pacers tackle Shaq today
