Has the best of the best of the West separated itself from the best
of the West?
Let's break
down that rather complicated question. The premier teams in the Western Conference remain
clearly the class of the NBA. Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio and Utah have no peer in the
East. Even the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets arguably fall into that group.
But have
the Mavericks, winners of 12 in a row, risen above all of them? An answer will be
provided Friday night when they play at San Antonio in a game nationally televised by
ESPN. WagerWeb.com lists the Spurs as a 5-point favorite.
The Mavericks
have certainly proven superior to one and all since the first week of the season. They are
a downright absurd 26-3 since opening the year with four consecutive defeats and have held
11 consecutive opponents under 100 points.
The continued
development of forward Josh Howard and guard Devin Harris
to complement Most Valuable Player candidate Dirk Nowitzki and speedy
backcourt standout Jason Terry could elevate Dallas from NBA finalist to
NBA champion.
The Mavericks
don't sit atop the league in any major statistical category, but are strong in all areas.
They are third defensively behind Houston and San Antonio at 91.9 points surrendered a
game and among the leaders in rebounding differential, 3-point shooting differential,
free-throw percentage, and blocked shots per game.
Dallas showed
its strength in a 100-91 victory Thursday night over visiting Indiana. The Mavericks won
despite receiving no points from their three centers. Harris scored a career-high 24.
TIME
TO CATCH THEIR BREATH? The depleted Lakers won't exactly be well-rested for
visiting Denver Friday night.
But they'll
come in smiling, courtesy of a 132-128 overtime victory at Sacramento Thursday night. The
Lakers have continued to play well despite injuries to frontcourt starters Lamar
Odom and Kwame Brown and a recent scheduled dominated by road
games.
In fact,
their replacements proved critical in defeating the Kings. Power forward Brian
Cook scored 26 points while 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum
added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Of course, Kobe Bryant remained the
dominant contributor with 42 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
According to
Wager.Web.com, the Lakers are a 5-point favorite against a Nuggets team still missing
suspended Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.
DRIBBLES:
At least one of the four key injured players has returned to the New Orleans Hornets. Bobby
Jackson scored seven points off the bench Thursday night, but his team still fell
at home to Detroit, 92-68. ... Orlando and sizzling Washington, who are tied atop the
Southeast Division, both play home games against under-.500 teams Friday night.
WagerWeb.com lists the Magic as a 9-point favorite against Charlotte and the Wizards as a
5 ½-point favorite against the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Dwyane Wade
(right wrist) has accompanied his Miami teammates to Phoenix, but won't play Friday night
against the Suns. |
