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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:22 am Post subject: Febuary 7th: Dallas Will Be Looking for Payback. |
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Dallas Will Be Looking for Payback
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
DALLAS — After a few days of much-needed rest, but not quite the healing for which they had hoped, the Lakers now try to end a streak of a different kind.
Their lurching, careening trip continues tonight, with Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm doubtful to play, just in time to try to halt the Dallas Mavericks' 11-game win streak less than a week after allowing Indiana and Charlotte to break skids of six and 13 losses.
The Lakers, 1-4 on their trip, get a Dallas team that hasn't lost since Jan. 11 and will be mindful of the last time the Lakers were the opponent, when Bryant had 62 points in only three quarters of a 112-90 Laker victory Dec. 20 at Staples Center.
"Dallas is going to be more than ready for us after the last game we played against them," Laker Coach Phil Jackson said.
The Dallas media certainly remembered, asking Bryant a variety of questions about 62, 81 and, of course, the possibility of hitting 100 some day.
"That's crazy," Bryant said.
But some fans want to see it, he was told.
"They probably believe in UFOs too," he said. |
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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:25 am Post subject: |
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Kobe's 62 still stings Mavs
Mavericks seek revenge and an antidote for Bryant's bite tonight
01:45 AM CST on Tuesday, February 7, 2006
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
On the ego-bruise meter, the needle flickered off the chart.
There is no question that when Kobe Bryant outscored the entire Mavericks team, 62-61, through three quarters of the Los Angeles Lakers' eventual 112-90 win in LA on Dec. 20, it was a monumental embarrassment.
However, in terms of medicinal value, it was exactly what the Mavericks needed. Galvanizing moments are important to really good teams. And if getting your throat stepped on by Bryant's 62-point outburst doesn't make you mad and pull you together, something's wrong.
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It's no coincidence that the Mavericks are 19-3 since that fiasco. Clearly, they have taken frustrations out on other teams.
Tonight, the Mavericks can vent a little against the source of all this angst. They will see Bryant for the first time since his outrageous game, and holding the Lakers' guard to something reasonable – anything under 40 points, perhaps – is the priority.
"We got to find a way to stop Kobe at least once this year," Dirk Nowitzki said. "If he's in a zone – and he always is against us for some reason – you can't really stop him."
So what do the Mavs do to bottle Bryant?
"I don't know," he said. "So far, we haven't. But as long as we win, he can score 80." |
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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:27 am Post subject: |
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Lakers notes: Mavs seek banner defensive effort
By Ross Siler, Staff Writer
DALLAS - On the walls surrounding their practice court, the Dallas Mavericks have a series of motivational banners more appropriate for a high school team than one tied for the Western Conference's best record at 37-10.
They read "Take the defensive challenge" and "Keep your man in front of you." The results speak for themselves as the Mavericks, previously defense-challenged, have won 11 games in a row and haven't given up 100 points in any of them.
If defense is about pride, the Mavericks will have the chance to regain theirs tonight at American Airlines Center. They will see Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for the first time since Bryant scorched them for 62 points in three quarters on Dec. 20.
It was a memorable night, even after Bryant went out and scored 81 against the Toronto Raptors barely a month later. The Raptors will have to wait until next season for payback; the Mavericks will get their chance tonight.
"They've got a lot of players that are his size that they can throw at him," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
That list would start with Adrian Griffin and Josh Howard, both of whom tried and failed to stop Bryant in his 62-point barrage. Through three quarters, Bryant outscored the Mavericks 62-61 by himself, with the Lakers leading by 34 points.
(As Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki said the next day, "That's what American sports are - a one-man show, I guess.") |
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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Lakers-Mavericks Preview
GAME: Los Angeles Lakers (24-23) at Dallas Mavericks (37-10).
TIME: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EST.
The Dallas Mavericks try to push their winning streak to an NBA-best 12 games and move into sole possession of first place in the Southwest Division when they take on the slumping Los Angeles Lakers.
A deep and balanced offense and a much-improved defense resulted in another Mavs' victory Saturday, 110-91 over Seattle. Josh Howard had 23 points to lead Dallas in scoring for the fourth straight game, and was one of six Mavs in double figures as Dallas tied the longest win streak in the league this season at 11.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas' leading scorer at 25.4 points per contest, had 17. He's only topped the team in scoring once in the last seven games.
``We got a lot of depth, a lot of guys can put the ball in the hole,'' said point guard Jason Terry, who had 22 points. ``Dirk's still No. 1, but if he isn't scoring, we've got other guys that can pick up the slack.'' |
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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:58 am Post subject: |
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Bryant offensive run might be for naught
By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register
DALLAS – For all the attention and excitement of Kobe Bryant's January scoring spree, if the Lakers lose their next two games tonight in Dallas and Wednesday night in Houston, they will be back where they were before Bryant began his offensive tear: a game below the .500 mark.
The Lakers were 15-16 before Bryant scored 48 points in a victory over Philadelphia then 50 in a victory over the Clippers to move the Lakers above the .500 mark.
After losing four of the first five games on this seven-game trip, the Lakers are 24-23, and it isn't likely either forward Lamar Odom or center Chris Mihm will be back for the next two games.
Odom said Monday his rib cartilage injury was "a little bit better," and he took the court and did some dribbling to test it out. But Coach Phil Jackson said Odom would have to feel "comfortable" tonight to play in the game.
"Lamar can't even raise his (right) arm," Bryant said. "If he can raise his arm, I'm sure he'll play." |
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Phil Retired
Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:59 am Post subject: |
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100 - Can Kobe be just like Wilt?
By JENNIFER FLOYD ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DALLAS -- Kobe Bryant looked somewhat stunned to see an All Star-size media contingent greet him Monday as he walked onto Dallas' practice court.
"Somebody get traded?" he asked nobody in particular.
What he failed to recognize or simply pretended not to recognize was: This is the Kobe Effect. This is what happens when you become the first person in 44 years of NBA action to get within spitting distance of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point gameCan Kobe be just like Wilt?
Wilt is a magical figure in NBA lore, and Kobe now finds himself inextricably linked with him.
"I heard about Wilt for a long, long time growing up in Philadelphia," Kobe said. "And to be mentioned in that same breath with him, to say it is an honor is an understatement."
So what does Kobe think when he hears people talking about him possibly besting Wilt's 100-point milestone someday?
"It's crazy," he said.
So you don't think about it? |
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