Welcome, fellow Kings fans!
Another great day for a basketball game. By reading the various threads the past few days, it looks like a good number of KF members will, in fact, be at the game. I'm hoping to spot at least ONE sign.
As far as today's game goes, here's the skinny from today's Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14229412p-15052541c.html
KINGS UPDATE
Status: The Kings have won 11 in a row at home. But Dallas comes in not at all awed by Arco, having won at the arena for years, including the playoffs. The Kings know well that any losses from here on out -home or away -could bite them at the end of the season as they try to secure a playoff spot after a slow start.
Trend: The Kings have cohesion, offensive balance, defensive help and an air of confidence for the first time all season. Winning certainly does that, with the Kings fresh off of a 4-1 road trip and enjoying some of that old Arco swagger. Presumably, the Kings will only get better when Bonzi Wells and Francisco García are fully healthy.
Injury report: García, ankle, day-to-day.
MAVERICKS UPDATE
Status: Dallas is shooting for the top seed in the Western Conference playoff scramble, and defense has led the charge, a far cry from the offensive-minded Mavs of yesteryear under coach Don Nelson. Avery Johnson's team is playing superbly on both ends of the floor in a heated race with San Antonio.
Trend: Lost in all the MVP chatter about Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash is Dirk Nowitzki. He torched the Kings for 11 consecutive points in the fourth quarter in the last meeting at Arco, on Dec. 22, when he scored a season-high 37. Josh Howard also played well with 14 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, who are averaging 17.1 and 12.7 points, respectively, provide balance.
Injury report: Keith Van Horn, knee, out.
LINEUPS
Kings
23 Kevin Martin SG
10 Mike Bibby PG
93 Ron Artest SF
9 Kenny Thomas PF
52 Brad Miller C
Mavericks
34 Devin Harris SG
31 Jason Terry PG
44 Adrian Griffin SF
41 Dirk Nowitzki PF
7 DeSagana Diop C
Best matchup: Bibby vs. Terry -Both guards are having their finest seasons, and both can push the ball and shoot it. And for added intrigue, the former Arizona teammates are good pals. First one in serious foul trouble, or the first to hit a shooting slump, loses.
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I have snow, snow and more snow. And it's snowing. Dry powder, though, so it's not as much hassle as the infamous Sierra cement.
I'm off for a bit to bring in some firewood, and make some lunch.
We're gonna have a good game!
Remember, you can discuss the game in piksi's game thread AND you can CHAT over at Mr. S£im's CHAT PARTY LIVE on mIRC. server irc.bludgeon.org, channel #Kingsfans.
GO KINGS!!!
Another great day for a basketball game. By reading the various threads the past few days, it looks like a good number of KF members will, in fact, be at the game. I'm hoping to spot at least ONE sign.
As far as today's game goes, here's the skinny from today's Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14229412p-15052541c.html
KINGS UPDATE
Status: The Kings have won 11 in a row at home. But Dallas comes in not at all awed by Arco, having won at the arena for years, including the playoffs. The Kings know well that any losses from here on out -home or away -could bite them at the end of the season as they try to secure a playoff spot after a slow start.
Trend: The Kings have cohesion, offensive balance, defensive help and an air of confidence for the first time all season. Winning certainly does that, with the Kings fresh off of a 4-1 road trip and enjoying some of that old Arco swagger. Presumably, the Kings will only get better when Bonzi Wells and Francisco García are fully healthy.
Injury report: García, ankle, day-to-day.
MAVERICKS UPDATE
Status: Dallas is shooting for the top seed in the Western Conference playoff scramble, and defense has led the charge, a far cry from the offensive-minded Mavs of yesteryear under coach Don Nelson. Avery Johnson's team is playing superbly on both ends of the floor in a heated race with San Antonio.
Trend: Lost in all the MVP chatter about Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash is Dirk Nowitzki. He torched the Kings for 11 consecutive points in the fourth quarter in the last meeting at Arco, on Dec. 22, when he scored a season-high 37. Josh Howard also played well with 14 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, who are averaging 17.1 and 12.7 points, respectively, provide balance.
Injury report: Keith Van Horn, knee, out.
LINEUPS
Kings
23 Kevin Martin SG
10 Mike Bibby PG
93 Ron Artest SF
9 Kenny Thomas PF
52 Brad Miller C
Mavericks
34 Devin Harris SG
31 Jason Terry PG
44 Adrian Griffin SF
41 Dirk Nowitzki PF
7 DeSagana Diop C
Best matchup: Bibby vs. Terry -Both guards are having their finest seasons, and both can push the ball and shoot it. And for added intrigue, the former Arizona teammates are good pals. First one in serious foul trouble, or the first to hit a shooting slump, loses.
-----------------------------------------------
I have snow, snow and more snow. And it's snowing. Dry powder, though, so it's not as much hassle as the infamous Sierra cement.
I'm off for a bit to bring in some firewood, and make some lunch.
We're gonna have a good game!
Remember, you can discuss the game in piksi's game thread AND you can CHAT over at Mr. S£im's CHAT PARTY LIVE on mIRC. server irc.bludgeon.org, channel #Kingsfans.
GO KINGS!!!
