By: Naman "Tiny" Buch
It seems Mark Cuban, owner of the Mavericks will do anything to make his team better and making trades to have the team do well in the playoffs. With recent trades of Jason Kidd, and Caron Butler both helping out the team considerably. But this year it didn't seem like the big trade was there. However, they did pick up solid pieces in veteran and shooter Peja Stojokovic and much needed youth and solid defending in Corey Brewer. Portland on the other hand never seem likes they make the big move until this year in my opinion when they received the biggest steal of the season in Gerald Wallace, for what didn't seem like much. Portland vs Dallas is a series that provides much intrigue in two teams going in different directions, one in Dallas on the decline and one in Portland with tremendous upside and on the way up.
Keys for the Mavericks to win the series
The Mavericks are on the decline, and despite the best efforts of Cuban, aren't getting younger and he seems to be acquiring pieces that are a little old, with the exceptions to Caron Butler and Corey Brewer. But with Butler having a season ending injury, unlikely to return for this series it's a big blow for the Mavs to do well. I believe one of the biggest keys for the Mavs is young guard Roddy Beaubois. Roddy last year didn't seem to get any minutes in last year's first round series vs San Antonio and probably should have and could have helped the Mavs out more. Rick Carlisle, I believe is very conservative with his young players with especially Roddy and even Corey Brewer. After Roddy returned from his foot injury I could understand why he limited him, but at one point when he had returned for a while Roddy played less minutes than Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood, Peja, and Brian Cardinal. Roddy's explosiveness, speed and defense will be utilized and should be utilized after some rest and should be 100% after the foot injury. Of course the big key is Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs go as Dirk goes. Dirk has been easily one of the top NBA players that nobody talks about, and always has his shot going it seems. But with the versatility of the Portland defense Dirk will see athletic and pesky defenders against him in Nicolas Batum and Gerald Wallace. Dallas will need to exploit the size difference on the front line and need to have Tyson Chandler lead the defense and get touches and finish at the offensive end as well. Chandler vs Aldridge is the only slight mismatch for the Mavs and they need to exploit the small front line for the Trail Blazers.
Keys for the Trail Blazers to win the series
I believe the Trail Blazers is the only team with a 6 seed or lower in the NBA that can make some real noise in the playoffs. The Blazers have so many options but it starts with LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is averaging 21.8 ppg a big improvement from last year, and could be this years Most Improved Player. Aldridge even though plays center will look to overcome the size difference against the Mavs like he has against every other team, for the entire season. Though, the Portland front-line is a little small they are extremely athletic and have matchup problems for the Mavs throughout their lineup. Gerald Wallace should be able to build on last years playoff success and will be an important 2nd option for the Blazers. The Blazers also have a signing that in the off-season helped them a lot in Wes Matthews. Matthews was another steal that the Blazers had in the off season that proved to be a great move. Matthews is a great 3 point shooter and will look to be a 3rd option behind Aldridge and Wallace. Batum is the least talked about Blazer but is a very young 22 year old player who has shown his potential this year with his defense and length as well as his shot selection. With this team so deep once go to guy Brandon Roy is their 6th man and if healthy could make the Blazers even scarier. With Rudy Fernandez and also Patty Mills off the bench the Blazers will look to use their rotation and athleticism to hinder the old veteran Mavs.
George Karl said that he would rather face the Mavs than any team in the West. And the Mavs have been called "soft and too old" by many. The Mavs will look to overcome this but I believe they need big series from Dirk, Roddy and Tyson Chandler and it doesn't seem like it's going to happen especially if Roddy becomes inefficient Carlisle won't likely play him. Carlisle should use his youth against this athletic team but I don't think it will happen often. The Trail Blazers should exploit many of the matchups and hold on to win the series.
Prediction: Blazers in 6 games
Rating: 4/5 stars (Exciting series, and the games should be close)
Game 1: Saturday April 16 Portland @ Dallas 9:30 PM EST ESPN
Seize the day people.
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