2011 playoffs west conference 1st round Mavs vs Blazer，G1"},"lengthSeconds":"6253","ownerProfileUrl"

Opening night of the

2011

NBA

playoffs

concludes in Dallas at an American Airlines Center as the Mavericks host the Moreland Trail

blazer

s Dallas the three seed won 57 games during the regular season Portland the 61 48 games split their season series regular in two games each, all with Dave Pasch Doris Burke Holly Rowe is also here Doris perhaps never has a team with so many regular season wins been so written off before the

playoffs

even begin. Questions about the Dallas Mavericks. Are they too old? Are they hard enough? Will they have another outing at the beginning of the season? In the playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki received enough support from a consistent second scorer to Rick Carlisle.

He said it's all about his disposition. He ruled out the passing game tonight. They have lost in the first round three of the last four years and their opponent tonight, Portland Trail. The Blazers are playing well since the trade for Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, they are six and two against the top four teams in the West, as he will be joined by Wesley Matthews Miller Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge, who did not make the all-star team but fought. as an All-Star this year and you'll see a lot of Brandon Roy and something like that and for Dallas, DeShawn Stevenson will start at point guard and bring toughness to the table along with Kidd Marion Nowitzki.

The NBA playoffs conclude in Dallas. at the American Airlines Center as the Mavericks host the Portland Trail

blazer

s in the three-to-six showdown in the West and starting for the Blazers who won 48 games during the regular season, veteran Andre Miller along with Wesley Matthews Gerald Wallace LaMarcus Aldridge their leading scorer and Marcus Camby in the center of the Dallas career Dirk Nowitzki 26 points per game in the playoffs along with Chandler Marion, Jason Kidd, 38, and Sean Stephenson Dallas 57 wins tied with the Lakers for the fourth best record in the NBA , but they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs three of the last four years Portland we will start with that Andre Miller 35 years old 12th year from Utah looking for his first victory in a postseason series here is Miller with border shots and he is a great start for the Blazers if Miller hits Mac you get a swap in the pick-and-roll so Andre gets away from Turkey, a fairly large defender trying to shoot over the top.

Good job by him, Stevenson is out of the selection and Stevenson is the first shot for Dallas. We've guarded Wesley Matthews, normally a great pick-and-roll defender, he got a little hung up on the screen, there are alternatives with the shot clock at 7:00 called to travel, so Mike, the road team, wins there and a lot of people pick the road team tonight and in this series the Portland Trailblazers were tied at two early here in Dallas, the Mavericks have been eliminated in the first round three of the last four years, including a year ago, since They are the three seeds this year. the Blazers sixth place in the West a bucket for Andre Miller for Portland and DeShawn Stevenson for the Mavs and his first foul of the game Stephenson pumped his way to the goal Rick Carlisle his third season as head coach of the Mavericks led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2004 when his bench hit and what a job Nate McMillan has done again tons of injuries in Portland but 48 wins and since his trade for Gerald Wallace they went six and two against the four best playoff teams in the West Here's Nowitzki going down and Dirk is over 200.

It seems like the Blazers as an organization have made it the norm for them to deal with the injuries they're used to. Alright, not for the year again. Brandon Roy has head injury issues on that guy. LaMarcus. Aldridge has really taken a step forward, he wasn't an All-Star, but in an All-Star caliber season, another Portland foul, team's second foul, the only thing Nate McMillan hasn't done is an eight-point goal and the last Blazers Series victory was in 2000, those six. consecutive series have lost the longest current streak in the NBA there is Nowitzki old by two in the night tenth highest scorer in the NBA during the regular year defensive exchange because Miller does not go under normal circumstances review Dirk and his release points so high very It's hard for Andre to prove that Miller made a jumper earlier and missed there, but candy is very important for this team blazer gets the offensive rebound.

Aldrich commits a foul. There are so many questions about a 57-win team. I don't think you can question this guy. He has been one of the most extraordinarily talented scorers this league has had in the last 10 years of its playoff run. 26 points per game and 11 rebounds. One of only four players in NBA history to have those kinds of numbers in the playoffs. obviously they didn't win a championship, they came close to those six, they don't do anything in the heat, they lost that series the next year, 167 games during the regular season and they lost first place to Golden State in the first round, there are so many questions .

Do you know if they talked enough? Do they have a consistent enough second scorer? Jason Terry is not as consistent as he has been in the past. This is a team built more on Valerie. Guys get about eight and nine points to be successful and of course. you need ground to change the steam equation who had one hundred and thirty-three three-pointers during the regular season, but averaged a career-low eight points per game. Jason Candidates 38, Dallas native LaMarcus Aldridge missing, and a fumble foul could be the third. missing in four here in the opening period Jason Kidd, who has extraordinary experience in the playoffs, remember that he went to the finals with New Jersey on two different occasions, his percentages are very low this season, whether you give him a couple of days off, let him mentally decompress, you wonder what his readiness is to start this playoff series, a lot of people are picking the Blazers while Stephenson buries the three and is a five-point Dallas Lee Alice two for two on the offensive foul of Three, they're going to be in the bonus very early, but Stevenson gets him to start in the group wahoo is injured, they made that change in the last series of the regular season and then Stevenson you get some toughness.

Wes Matthews, who has had a great year, one of the most improved players in the NBA, has to sit out with two fouls. and Nicolas Batum enters the game the truth is he has been great since the all-star game, he can defend and right now he is with Jason Kidd and Gerald Wallace talking about being able to defend one of the best defensive players in the league he almost came up with a steal He is 22 23 years old, he is long, he is athletic and his advantages are tremendous Americans that other death of Glazer so officially before Andre Miller runs out the shot clock at 14 the boy walks away from the screen there is Batum in Nowitzki the turn ties contact trip first first loss to Dallas I didn't realize until we talked to Rick Carlisle before the game that when he first came into the league they were trying to make him a three, not a four.

He thinks about his abilities as a team's top shooter in the league. but he has worked very hard, he has become a very good one-on-one basketball player. Here is the grave with five to shoot from the boundaries and well from 18 feet, but Tim in the last 13 games he averaged 15 and a half points per game. Where is Miriam? the former son has been very good lately and the kid who hit a three earlier this time this layoff Chandler hits him alive, that's one of the reasons they hired him. He can also defend the paint in his first year with the Mavs.

Stevenson and Nowitzki are missing. the same page there on the die, wow, woloson boy, but a good decision without calling, yes, I agree, I agree on the opposite end mixing his looks defensively that time catching the dirt, running to catch, here There is Wallace, the 10-year pro from Alabama, who is coming for the pending here is Nowitzki with the jumper four points for Dallas by five again Portland only has seven points in five and a half for those of you who watch the classic, he would turn it over to him it's been the clock the rest of the game they passed Doris Burke Holly Rowe back in Dallas a five point lead for the babs at the start 57 wins 11 straight 50 win seasons but no titles and the players of the map they know that if they don't win the playoffs, most of the 57 victories will be nothing.

I definitely feel the tension. around town, you know, there's been an organization that's one you know, 50+ games, phone slot for the playoffs and the city's like, you know, hungry for rain, nothing else is possible unless you complete the task today, so we formed a task squad. We're prepared, we're ready, we fit in really well with this team and it's okay, it's fun, this is a fun time of year for us, think about this, they want 57 games and Dirk, when he got hurt, they had an ISO even if they go. 500 you're looking at team 61 and wondering if they would still be fired.

One of those two wins without Nowitzki was against Portland, but the Blazers have beaten Dallas twice since Gerald Wallace traded Stephenson for a Miss he spotted on an alley-oop. dunk on the other end Aldridge led the NBA in alley-oop dunks and Rd has five points, that's seven for the Dallas native returning home and for Levin he wanted well, what a transformation in this guy by personality he didn't necessarily want to be. I quote the guy and now, when he puts the ball in the box, he is so decisive and dominant or the second overall pick in 2006, a short time at the University of Texas before going for his third field goal, what can you do with that?

I mean good luck. trying to get a piece, this guy breaks away and off-balance shots are his special tool here's Aldrich again, this time to the grave Aldrich with five to shoot the little hat book in Marcus Aldridge for a five from the field, nine points , do you know when? They get into their half-court setup, the ball is going to enter LaMarcus Aldridge's chair in percentages, about 42% of the time they feel like it's more than that, they see it every time he's in the box as an offensive foul and It has been a necessity, this is a team that has no other option.

LaMarcus Aldridge has to be the man and he understands that they miss shots, it doesn't matter the past, he may not have made those shots that we talked to him about today. guy a couple of years ago and it all started for him on December 15th of the year in Dallas Brandon Roy didn't look the same his knees didn't look good and that was the last game Roy played for a while Aldridge had to take a step almost brought Portland back within 35 points 20 in the fourth quarter told us today that was his big game. He has been spectacular ever since and gets yelled mate the second time he can find them.

He is especially good when he gives up. In basketball, one of the things he does very well for me is making cuts when he leaves the basketball. They execute this play. The ending is alley-oop. Is incredible. They have to handle a magician directly to Aldridge. ESPN's presentation of the NBA playoffs brought to you through Ford Service check out your Ford dealer for experience, convenience and value after giving Portland a lead. LaMarcus Aldridge took a short break. He has become the Blazers' go-to guy. Now I have a lot of confidence. I think at first you I know it was a different transition going from Robin to Batman, you know, you know, and in games, I don't usually, you know, or I showered, you know or dingus, now we're in games like the ball is coming towards me, so I believe. that took a little bit, no transition time, telling him okay, you know what I want this shot and then I can do this shot.

It's about dominating the basketball in a 611 246. This is a guy who wanted to be on his back. guy and shoots a lot of jump shots. I don't think it's easy in this league, look at the numbers before December 15, that game you mentioned, it's not easy in this league to be willing to go home to take the physical beating. You're going to take that every night, but the guy has changed his way of thinking and that's been huge for this club and Brandon Roy on the court, now we're talking about him battling those knee injuries this year, the former Rookie of the Year is Ted.

In the second quarter, it's hard to doubt that this guy has so much intelligence and experience, he's tough, he reads the game and this is what the Mavericks like to do. They love to start fast in the first quarter and try to establish positions. Jason Kidd's 122nd career postseason game was played in a pair of finals, but not in a championship, as there is a lack of Dallas on the season, 34% from three, but there is no doubt in sight when Jason Terry forces him to hand over the ball and a willing shot. Catcher Jason Kidd played well the other night against New Orleans he had 12 points, eight assists, just one turnover as the Mavs came back from a halftime deficit and closed out the regular season with a win.

Miller got fouled by Terry, so two quick fouls on Jason Terry and Andre Miller will go to the line, they have plenty of NBA coverage across the board for you, tomorrow on TNT at 1:00ET, it's Memphis in San Antonio, now we talk with the chin opener, I could play on ABC at 3:30, I have New Orleans and the Lakers NBA TV on Tuesday Atlanta Orlando Atlantic watching up - nothing in that series on ESPN on Friday Boston New York Lakers in New Orleans but he is such a competitive guy sure Coach Popovich would be a real fight for him not to play on the roster as doubtful yet while Marian sits in Berea enters the game for the first time, but Tony Parker said that would be surprised if Shelby didn't play in that game Andre Miller 85% free throw shooter misses the second now you'll see if this becomes an issue because this is where Portland believes they have the advantage with their post players Brandon Roy and Andre Miller in the guard posts.

Barea and Kidd on the court are tough matchups. Piraeus had a very good season and in their last nine games they averaged 13 points to play here is Nowitzki, he has six points, it is his second missed field goal, Chandler keeps him alive again in the hands of the two. Miller hits the cover that seems fine no one picks up the short two with a three and Barea tracks down the loose ball here's Kidd in the lane averages eight on the year already with eight here babs for three may be too long J Bo the reason he took that shot Tyson Chandler was looking to provide assistance in the post to Portland's guards and that allows there to be enough space for both teams to shoot more than 60% from the field while Paige histoy Jankovic misses his first shot Miller will go to the line while Barea collects the missing due to lack of equipment and now Jason King and according to Rick Carlisle he has failed so much in each game that they gave him a couple of days off to finish the season just so that he is fresh and ready, but he seems ready to play, he can get a playoff team of the Mavericks and Trail Blazers, now an NBA store.com and free shipping on any order over $85 NBA store.com a store for every team you support, there are so many good young guards in the NBA right now in the playoffs like in Westbrook and Rondo and Fall, how's the matchup here?

Andre Miller, 35, Jason Kidd, 38, well, they fill the position in different ways. Andre Miller is not a three-point threat at all, he's a guy who likes to move around the rim. Kidd is a guy who remarkably, when you look at where he's frozen all-time, stands out to you because he has a first-class mentality. Quite a chemical level, but number one is Jason Kidd, active artist in assists in the playoffs, eight forty-eight in the postseason for him, third of all time in triples, second in assists, third and steals, there's Barea, got in, Candy came in with a block, couldn't handle it, although Jason Kidd had an excellent 17-year career, the number to choose in 1994, for Dallas, where he is. his second season now with the return of the Mavs and a deal with New Jersey, Smart Tom has an incredible feel for the guys about him and it's interesting that he was chosen to be a scorer tonight.

He was here for a few hours to take a nap hours before kickoff shooting triples and that's it. off the mark with that Portland ball, a one-point lead as we approached the two-minute mark. Nate McMillan told us there will be an eight-man rotation for the Blazers, so I'll tap Roy off the bench with his In the first bucket, they wonder if his knees will allow him to return to the explosive player. There are flashes of him moving backwards. There's their patented hard-on-the-defender model and a step back from the All-Star Game from 2008 to 2010. 10th for Portland in terms of paint points, as Hayward is fouled and that puts the Blazers above the limit and is getting fouled and Brendan Haywood will go to the free throw line, he was the worst free throw shooter in the NBA during the regular season. season at 36%, I'm sure you appreciate the reminder, Mr.

Profession. I was going to add, however, that he has when in live action a decent 15-foot jumper that he hit a couple the other night against the Hornets. Espeon's coverage of Major League Baseball continues Sunday. and Monday night in the east Sunday Texas and the Yankees 7:00 This Monday it's the Phillies and the Brewers and Haywood are both missing, there may be, get the loose ball, look, the play-by-play curse doesn't work in the address opposite, you can't help him by mentioning how bad he is, he tried to help him at UH on jumpers at the foul line, maybe he should shoot jumpers on free throws he actually made the other night against the Hornets, in They are actually important shots, here is Wallace with five to shoot.

Betts key for the bucket and Heywood walks up and alters the shot and after Blazars waits for his teammates and parries with the floater the year that guy has it, well you look at his height and you'd think how the hell he has success in the NBA has a lot of toughness and uses his advantage, which is speed, not recruited in the northeast, here is Tim can't hit Haywood's three clearances and Dallas looks to regain the lead in a minute to get here in the first quarter , destroy Yaakov, is down. the lane Haywood hit the offensive rebound how about Hayward Nowitzki's first period activity six points moving back Batum can't make it just three of seven from the field here in the open goalie and about a half second difference. between the game and the shot clock, Portland is shooting 60% from the floor here in the first quarter.

Batum's off-screen guy can take a jumper earlier in the period, this time he missed here's the rail from half court and Portland leads by one on the way. Game one after 111 points for LaMarcus Aldridge to lead the way for Portland eight points for Jason Kidd it's the three-to-six showdown in the West and Portland has a one-point lead after a quarter back to Dallas with the coach in Portland head coach, me back to Dallas with Portland head coach Nate McMillan and the coach earlier in this quarter you guys were in foul trouble, how did you ask to start defending a little bit differently?

Well, we needed to play defense without catching each other and they were failing a little. I thought our guys made a good adjustment in the last four minutes of the quarter, continuing to apply pressure but without fouling. Jason Kidd got a little heated here. What do you change with it? Well, we have to get closer. They like to shoot three balls every time Jason makes one or two. he's going to go for more so we have to close these guys down quickly thanks to him Jerry gets to the basket Jason Terry with his first points of the night one of the NBA's top scorers off the bench by the way LaMarcus Aldridge is back on the court sat for the last four minutes or so of that first quarter after scoring 11 points, who was 5-for-6, so one wonders if it was just an early layoff because of that limited rotation he talked about.

Fernández scores a three-pointer and had trouble shooting during regulation. season, but in two playoff series of his career he shoots 45% from behind the arc. Novitsky, three turnovers and three field goals in that quarter, so yeah, well, that dagger who has become a better passer as his career has progressed and how do you notice the game plan? For Portland they were going to try to limit Dirk's touches and are obviously committed to a double on every sack. They'll say okay, someone else besides Dirk can try to beat us. Alice now, from eight out of three, plays a Kovitch point first. thirteen this year due to injuries in the light like Roy's aerial ball and then the officials give it to the bottom side trap, the guard comes from the weak side of hopes and the ground looks opposite like it should or that's everything, the laser ball. 5 this year, Matthews tried to hit Alder, it looks like he may have been deflected by a map, no, it's Dallas ball.

Audra with 11, the main ways in Jason hit Dallas' leading scorer with 8 points. He is led by two Blazers. Here is Paisa again. -point shooter in the beige playoffs I'm Yakov is playing in his eleventh postseason Matthews from the corner Djokovic with the board twenty-nine and twelve at home, which is the second worst home record among the West playoff teams, but they had the best record As a visitor, Italy tied with the warm-up to Nowitzki with his fourth, Dallas' lead is six, it's nothing, the race of a man Aldrich just one second misses from Barea to Terry here is the dirt obviously the pace the more it goes up and down, more favors the Dallas Mavericks Fernandez fast too hot to handle the format No timeouts here, streaks of twelve, two, three and eight, nothing for Dallas, their biggest lead of the game right now.

Well, if they're making it happen with guys other than Dirk, you mentioned the three turnovers, he's got a couple of assists, so he's not forcing shots. but you've gotten a good boost off the bench Haywood gave him big minutes in the first half, we showed Spencer in the key. Remember the Pagers only played in 33 games and he didn't play on Wednesday due to a personal issue, but he had a left knee. injury early in the season when he was on the Raptors roster, at the beginning of the year with New Orleans he was traded to Toronto and then he got hurt, they finally waived him and he signed with Dallas.

Roy and stay away, instead committing the foul. The first Corder on either team. Dallas leads Portland. Game one at six early in the second quarter. ESPN's preview of the NBA Playoffs brought to you by Autozone for the parts, accessories and tips you need once that's the upset. of the day when we look at our Domino's playoff tracker or it was Indiana hanging with Chicago up 10 with just a few minutes left before Derrick Rose took over. I think the surprising thing that remains was the ease with which Indiana scored in the first half against what has been one of the best defensive teams in the league in Chicago, let's say this about Derrick Rose, he's just not doing anything but solidifying the MVP votes that people already cast.

Remember when he called for the team boost? Remember when Derrick asked? Earlier in the year he said the MVP race emerged again. I think we mentioned it. In fact, I said why not. I and I remember being stunned and thinking about it because, young man, you are exactly like that. You're young, but I mean, how extraordinary. performance and a kind of love for his approach. I love that he said why not me and then came out and supported him and if he wins the MVP award, as you see his numbers from the first game, he will be the youngest in NBA history to win it. award as the two normally a very good free throw shooter misses Portland just four of seven at the line.

I like this approach. I like Jarrett's humility and the fact that he is committed to improving his game. I mean, not a year ago. I think you had to go out there and be able to try that three point shot, so now you have to get close enough to Derrick Rose to challenge the shot and with the speed that you like, what am I supposed to do as a defender because of his shot? for speed? Alice Ball's five-point lead here in game one, two, three, six matchups in the West is extraordinary. The Mavs have been eliminated from the first round in three of the last four years by Ray's failure, but the grave of the rebound, LaMarcus Aldridge, the leading scorer with 11. points, but was on the bench for a time in heaven, They even set him up here in the second quarter, yes, and he's been a very efficient scorer.

Let's see if they can get it restored. Now he has it all with Haywood defending and all the turrets in lane. Very physical Brooklyn aerial ball with LaMarcus Aldridge and Nowitzki at this time for Dallas there is Terry in the corner when Atun Jason Theriot the second field goal the biggest lead for the Mavs with seven Portland has only four points here in the fourth Terry a former Sixth Man from 2009, he's got the bucket on one end, here's Andre Miller on the other and they're called three defensive seconds, so that's a free throw plus the ball, no, you want to talk about a guy who has something to prove in the playoffs, he feels that he has not been what he was used to being, that he is a fourth-quarter player who appears in the big moments, he said: I am prepared, I am ready to play.

Andre Miller will shoot the technical number and Dirk's SP lately got into this with a teammate, JJ Barea, late in the game, he got into a fight with Steve Blake against the Lakers the other night with a couple of Hornets missing and with his loved ones who died weeks ago, helped raise him, will go to Seattle and said he will focus on that today. He's really affected in the last two weeks, but he feels that emotionally he's back to where he normally is. These guys are crazy. They have problems like everyone else and the loss impacts the salmon in divyam.

It's good work by Miller and you can see they are there. just trying to take advantage of Barea, he has eight points two years ago, he had 52 here against Dallas and Miller's not really known as a store, but he's a very solid point guard over the years, there's Mary and her first shot from him towards him and Dallas is 6 of 9 from the field, it's a limit, well, what do you notice? I made your Portlandcan't keep them out of the Lane Miller strip last touched by Dallas. Portland is having real trouble keeping Gloria off the dribble and into the dirt. a lot of things defensively and the Mavs have a six point lead over Portland here in the first game, being active in the community and giving back has helped me grow as a person when you see these war veterans coming back, some of them are injured upon seeing them. and seeing what they did for our country and being able to reach out and touch them and see the joy and excitement that they feel, right there it moves you, you know, because they don't have to, it was their choice to serve our country, we will always be in their debt. and we thank Jason Terry, who was very involved here in the Dallas community and in the game he has four points, you see the second quarter numbers and -2 in the turnover rate, and Portland in the season was second in the NBA and positive turnover differential in a fight, although here in the fourth the Dallas defense has something to do with it, since Miller working in Piraeus scores again and is in double figures with 10 points in three defensive seconds. trying to shave to give some assist but then you can get a technical burn on a free throw against you and they continue to work on Barea Aldridge defending Barea Haywood and Fernandez tied up it will be a jump up to now Portland with two players in double figures Dallas does not have Dirk Nowitzki on the bench at the moment he and Jason Kidd, the Mavs' leading scorers, have 8 points each.

Both boys will now come in Barea, who, as you talked about Doris, her father, the problems of the wireless man, will go to the bench, since Jankovic is very slow. aja hit a pair of threes off the bench so he got 6 points in 11 minutes, a wooden ball to travel, Dallas turnover, let's see if the Blazers try to get some touches on Aldridge as he scored eight points in a row halfway through the first quarter, he has only taken two shots. which he's done a pretty good job he's just putting the floor on his back and being as physical as possible with him here's Miller again and Andre Miller we weren't talking before the game thinking you know this guy's a veteran he's never been won a playoff series, you don't know how much longer he can last at 35 years old so he can have a good night.

He loves playing here in Dallas for four five twelve points. He loves to operate on the back line. Well, you mention the fifty-two point game he had here when Heiwa stopped Terry's mistake, but if Rick Carlisle everything you said before the game comes true, a lot of guys will give you a little bit off the bench in terms of productivity. hailer occasi Gerald Wallace had his first playoff game as a maverick who had difficulty shooting the ball, but Miller got the shot clock to five difficult passes to handle for Batum, the last one touched by Dallas' laser ball with four for shoot, a bit of a struggle at times for Haywood since then.

He's come here to Dallas, but he's given outstanding minutes on both ends of the floor. Excellent activity as soon as he came into the basketball game and used his length to get the offensive glass. Four rebounds. Two points for Haywood. He went to the playoffs often in Washington, he and Shaun Stephenson while Terry breaks up the pass and closer to Mary's head they tried to get it to Wallace and a foul is called as a first foul against the Blazers here in the fourth and Marion will shoot two that This type has in the open flora.

He has been sensational throughout his entire career. Wallace looks to make a good challenge and then looks at Mr. Thierry is definitely the emotional leader of this team and is trying to get the crowd involved. Two points tonight for Shawn Marion averaging 15 points per game since the All-Star break. A four-time All-Star on the Phoenix Maidens started a lot last year because of Kuran. Butler Marion had to start this season. Butler is out for the year with a knee injury. He was talked about but maybe they would get him back if they made the playoffs, but it seems more like the middle of summer since Butler had a terrible knee injury and he knows it. where would Dallas be and what would have been his correct seed Butler didn't miss game 50 Chuck Juice a guy who can score buckets on his own a consistent second scorer his numbers were fantastic before he got hurt here's Roy on Terry Wallace who Tim shot from there but he missed that time 33% three point shooter Dallas ball six points crazy there he is Nowitzki has eight points four of nine shots Aldridge defending ground how many times we see him make that shot but it doesn't fall tonight how many times do you say shooters Everyone must be balanced , except Dirk, as human Braun said the other night, one of the least athletic acrobatic scores in the history of the game, like that one on an athletic acrobatic miss from all the turrets, Nowitzki and Terry rebound, Roy miss in second. lack of gear near the fourth there are a lot of QB-isms you gotta love yeah the word wants a story when asked to evaluate what he was looking for most in a player and it wasn't what he thought the Hubie Brown part would be and the pain. tolerance can get its way and you can get blocks you know you're going to get hit in this league here's Terry Chandler first points of the night for Tyson Chandler such an integral part of this Dallas team that gives it some toughness in the medium When Miller shoots, he doesn't shoot from there and he doesn't make it and it was off target, there is Terry and the jet reaches the rim, he can't shoot, but it's a foul by Portland, even though the jet has been active. a nice little drive and dish and then a drive to get to the free throw line and again make it clear that both Barea and Jason have gotten to the line regularly in this first half and Terry would make one more free throw.

Ron Butler, who talked about being ready for the year with a knee injury, 50 games he missed 15 points, four rebounds and a guy who when you doubled Dirk in the weeks on the court could create with the dribble, it's toughness, You know, I think that's what JAMA brings and I think that's what Quran Butler brought extends that toughness that has so often challenged seven straight points for the Mavs and Terry Dallas' missed free throw with his biggest lead of the game in the night Elliot Aldridge worked a couple of times in the first quarter, he could be as good as there is no league when he's not playing basketball in making those cuts to the rim is points per possession when he makes those cuts 1.48 extraordinary led the league in alley- oops during the regular season Aldridge with 13 thousand with 13, but it's the

mavs

who are on top at the end of the first half and here are some of the other stories from today.

We talked about Derrick Rose's performance with 39 points. You get what you expect from the big three with Miami. Dwight Howard with 46 points. Chico Lawson, the Hawks looked so bad at the end of the regular season, but they played very well tonight on the road to take the first game, two good scores Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford combined for 48 points and another team that was fired Atlanta, you wonder if Kirk Hinrich is the shot clock difference in five for Dallas here's Marion and Campy's speed with the rejection Dallas leads by 7 and there are no Mavericks in double figures, meanwhile Wallace has yet to score for Portland and He continues to fight for five field goals he has. one rebound and also everything good so they are not doing it on the glass normally a very good offensive rebounding team one of two Dallas has five offensive rebounds Novitsky 4 of 11 but another offensive rebound now boy looking for his darkness this is what I know about For him, his percentages have gone down, but he is a streaky three-point shooter.

He sets the stopwatch. Everyone got some shots today. Miller files first. This guy, when he gets up, has a lot of time. They choose not to approach. as Nate McMillan told Holly Rowe after the first period, we got a little closer, there was a red shirt Niram 11 points for the kid on Jason Terry goes to the bench picking up his third personal foul fourth team foul on Dallas, so what children Stephenson Marion Chandler Nowitzki for the Mavs Batum Aldridge Miller Wallace and sweets for Portland shot clock at four Miller to the bucket as strong and a great tip as can be who put the right hand on Tiffany, she has nine rebounds here in the first half may be defending the jetski land only by 11 from the field Stevenson with the transfer Wallace with the block clock a Portland foul fourth team foul on the Blazers 62 seconds of the toy and a halftime show and we'll put it on day in case you missed all the scores today they wanted the

2011

NBA postseason Panna just gave us the Corona Lite update so shouldn't it be on a beach somewhere?

The Corona commercials change the view and inevitably there is someone sitting on the beach. the study and Bristol is the same good for the playoffs, if you are Hannah, sit there, look good, I don't mean a good place and Tanner gets the first free throw, an improved player, a player who has really matured 28 years. old, 10th year in the league, he was the second pick of the Bulls in 2001, he was there for five years and went to New Orleans Charlotte for one year. Now in his first year with the team, he is an incredibly bright guy and, according to everyone in Dallas, simply one of the best teammates they have ever had.

You love the energy and spirit he has brought to the game. Gallus Beckham matched his biggest lead in the first half with 12 for the men's race. Walters has been quiet lately and eternally busy. by Jason Kidd yes, he did it early and the kid will slow him down Novitsky a lot of contact the foul is called on Chandler there is a lot of contact Novitsky it seemed like there were three Blazers that committed a follow-up you feel like they were really giving it to Nowitzki, yes, his second ska gets used to being on him, the benefit of the second look when he goes to the hoop, Patil was actually grabbing his jersey, now he can clearly be outside the restricted area, but what Nowitzki did early from behind. of the shirt that is illegal in Wallace it seems that Nowitzki also fouled the bench Bryant martinel enters with a difference of approximately 10 seconds between the game and the shot clock the blazers held only 15 points here in the second quarter Wallace has not scored his first playoff game as a blazer and commits the offensive foul when Chandler got second in the wallet.

Oh Dallas can hold the final shot of the half, eliminated from the first round of the playoffs in three of the last four years and they haven't. He's really played well at home in the postseason lately, trying to win the first game against two Blazers and take a double-digit lead into the locker room. Nowitzki returns to the court with eight seconds left. Dirk only four of 11 field goals he will take. he comes in and Aldridge misses him. Camby gets the rebound, lets it fly from three quarters of the court and that's how the first half ends.

Dallas by 10. I thought Dirk made some contact on that one too. Portland led by one at the end. by one, so Dallas leads the Blazers by 11 in the second quarter Holly Rowe waiting with Jason Kidd Jason, you had some strategic chests before these playoffs started, how are those fresh legs working treating him three threes in the first half? Well, I feel great, you know this? It's like starting a season for me, my coach in the two minutes talked about giving me a week off, which is well deserved, but I feel the greatness is that this is the time of year in Pont, you have to be fresh and ready to go .

LaMarcus Aldridge had 11. points in that first quarter, only two in the second, what did they change about him defensively? Well, we are trying to remove the LOB. He's so good at it, he's so talented once he gets the ball into the box and we're just trying. to make it tougher, he made some tough shots, but we had to take away those layups excellent first half for Jason Kidd 11 points is Dallas leads by 10 at the Toyota halftime show the Hawks get a road win Derrick Rose fantastic at the At the end of the first game and the Bulls' victory over the Pacers, they led by double figures at the end of two quarters of play, Dirk struggled to make 12 field goals, Jason Terry and Dallas with 10 points in the first game of the three six confrontations.

In the West and the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the Mavericks trail by one at the end of the quarter, but now have a ten-point lead as we prepare to start the third looking at our Buick Regal winning lead. Dallas was 6 and 10 behind the arc and out rebounded Portland and as usual 15 points for the twenty on the bench of top scorers during the regular season the great bastard Doris Burke Ali row here also Marcus Aldridge and Dirk Nowitzki the key confrontation Nowitzki had problems in that first half as many turnovers as field goals and Aldridge was off to a great start Dirk has spoiled us overall with his efficiency on four turnovers, but only four of twelve were physical with him, sent double teams, sent multiple defenders so had to work hard during all the shots there is some contact on some shots late got the charging callso unaccustomed that Dirk had problems and that LaMarcus Aldridge little miss chippy there came out of the gates five of six was really solid in the first period that jumped part of the wide tenth of Meanwhile, Jason Kidd with 11 points for Dallas, three assists, no turnovers, made three 3-pointers and Holly Rowe had a chance to talk to Portland head coach Nate McMillan and they said it really hurt them in the first half to have their second leading scorer right on top of them. six minutes because it's too early and it's a big boost for me to come back here to start the second half, but it says that we have to improve the ball film, we have to involve our three-point shooters more and get a better offense.

It will start with movie buffs and they had just won three. Gerald Wallace also did not score in his first playoff game as a blazer. Well, no wonder you're down 10 when you have two headlines against Oprah and don't discount the toughness of Wesley Matthews. on the defensive end he is also a committed defender Marian with the change and the rebound of Wallace Portland has not won a playoff series since 2000 Dallas has lost in the first round three of the last four years, including a single seat in the end of last year. eight, two seeds as three seeds this year and the winner of the first best-of-seven game takes the series about 80% of the time as Aldridge misses the shot.

He's now 6 for 11 after that great start you talked about, where do you figure that out? because of his willingness to hit and not be afraid to mix it up every possession, the vents came with a ball away, I can't accumulate it, he now has 13 field goals in Shaw, a career high this year. 52% Andre Miller strips got it back, had a big first half with 12 points and finds Wallace for his first basket of the night. Good job without a good cut when you're struggling to get close to the rim in a series on Tuesday here in Dallas before shifts. north

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in the NAB regular season finale, when talking about possible matchups, it's late that they don't have lunch on the four-hour flight to Portland, as Chandler didn't crush Ogre and Nowitzki gets to the fumble five against four.

His Darrell Wallace is back on the other end of the floor and Miller grabs Nowitzki's first foul on Portland here in the fourth, two blocks for Tyson Chandler, an athletic guy with enough length and size to protect at the rim with Dirk as his four, not a physicist. The defender is not a guy who protects the rim much, so Tyson's presence is important. He is healthy this year having missed 68 games the previous two years with several injuries disputed in 74 games this year. I think these feelings and frustrations I think on the last possession he felt like there was contact on his arm on the jump shot there was no whistle and look what he does, I mean he was just Starting this, he goes after it that time and it's right there where the referee finally blows his whistle, but you can see the frustration from that possession with Carlile.

He told us before the game that he thinks the dirty guy is a tough player and doesn't deserve that nickname this idiot gave him of being soft when Aldrich gets the bucket button, they shake him to reject the offensive foul on Portland, nice ball foul in the candy, that's three for him, well. He and Dirk were fighting on the weak side and did their thing. He's in disbelief because I think he felt that Nowitzki was giving as much as he was getting and that label on Witzke about soft, I think it's Barrett, listen, I can't. Look at him through the prism that other guys have seen him through.

I have not played. I don't know what it's like to be his competitor. I just think his eye test numbers tell you something about Gerald Wallace's different game. the strip in the key of the veterans and Wallace with these things on the other end again looks at the official without decision as they receive a strip steal a handful of turnovers by Nowitzki here tonight as Dallas' lead shrinks to six Marian can't get the rebound and Wallace with the save Portland last year took the first game in Phoenix in their best of seven and ended up losing that series in six games.

Wallace fouled Marian and they are going to call the shooting foul, the first foul by the Dallas team here in the room the referees are discussing whether this should be a shooting foul or not, they are going to say that there is no team out of Portland 148 games during the regular season 15 and 8 since the Gerald Wallace trade they won in Miami in Orlando and in San Antonio as Matthews gets his first points and Dallas calls a timeout so you know this Portland team is not going to go and they're back to four at the start of the third here in Dallas, everything that Goodyear has learned to make tires for handling stars inspires what they're going to do here in Dallas. dirk nowitzki six turnovers three offensive fouls yes eight point seven rebounds but Nate McMillan this team is doing what they wanted to do be physical with him try to deny his catches when he catches him make the traps there he gets a little frustrated commits the Offensive foul, It's a nice steal from behind by Wallace Dirk, who is looking for the foul.

It seems that in that case he received a lot of ball at times of the night when I think he had some complaints with the referees, but not in the last case. Maybe he still has the store and it was delivered three times to the room. Nowitzki had six turnovers in the game and four field goals. Dallas' lead was ten and halftime was down to four. He won this best-of-seven series. Here's Jason Kidd, he hit three. triples in the first half the big store so far in this game he has been the one who has hit important it seems that they changed theirs in that possession 14 points for Jason Kidd the advantage all the scorers 38 years old his fifteenth postseason good action of Marian on jumper with him and Wallace with Jason Kidd just relocating and making his shots in different spots, makes the past can see Andre Miller commit to providing some assistance to Stevenson and he just repositions and gets an open shot clock at 8 if Portland takes possession they do it, here are Miller's timers at 4 Miller on Chandler handler higher with the strip Miller has to get rid of it, that's a shot clock violation, here's the shot 5413, he gives it there to Mary, now he kicks fire playing like a child, Jason, why? seven fresh legs equals a good shooter when you're smart and smart you played while Jason sometimes comes easy ESPN's presentation of the NBA playoffs presented by Ford Service visit your Ford dealer for the experience convenience lasts tomorrow on ABC 3:30 ET starts with Buick Regal NBA countdown at 3:00 Lakers sweep Hornets and four games into regular season Kobe still there Phil Jackson still there Pao still there I like his chances if Bynum It's healthy, yeah, it's a good thing the deep fish are still there, right?

Chandler fouled some guys, Aldridge, do you think they're the favorites even though they're not the most watched in the West, but that's the team to beat? They are also the defenders. I am chained tightly to myself. I doubt that's not the case, it doesn't seem like Kobe has lost any of his passion and quest for the title, that's for sure, they closed the season poorly and almost blew a big lead last night against Sacramento, but in the end they secured the seat if would have lost would have been the 3c and maybe had to play Dallas without home field advantage in the

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semifinals LaMarcus Aldridge at Seagoville High School, Dallas native, has 14 points to lead the blazers this is the three-to-six matchup in West Northland Len after a quarter of play Dallas up by eight Jason Kidd has had a great night 17 points his most in two months since he had 20 against the aforementioned Kings on February 16 the kid has five triples almost six Chandler lo takes out of the state However, that's the first time he took his shot, everything else came within the context which is a small flash screen that marries the short jump that leads back to ten for the laboratories.

I wonder if you had a stripped pregame if the fighting land is 4 for 13 did you think you would be in this position? Good question, his bench has played well again in the meantime, Tillymann's alters ignore the only ones who scored for Portland. Every turn they miss their guy in the hole. 8 rebounds for the land. Novitsky crashed again and came up short again. he's 4 of 14 Miller's highest alley-oop, it's the fourth time they've had a successful alley-oop in this game. He's so long that he loses speed so quickly in the middle of the third Dallas for a kid again.

Jason attempted 19 points again. hey so you don't see him hunt down shots like that very often he feels so good he makes seven of ten shots and also has four assists on three rebounds Baldrige working on Chandler through the lane to Miller and Andre Miller chimes in with two he has 14 How about the two veterans, 35 year old Miller at 14 and the 38 year old at 19? We talked about all these great young point guards in the league. Two of the elder statesmen having big nights at that position in this league. Here's the boy again. with five to shoot, the hills came up short with the three, they give us Mista again hunting for shots, now the Vizcaya towards the goal can't get him to release the point balls, deliver a Wallace-like Miller and Gerald Wallace gets Portland back to six inches.

The five minute mark now normally Portland is one of the slower paced teams in the league, but I think in an effort to try to generate some offense, they are opportunistic in transition and by being opportunistic, they are, in his opinion, the least offensive. possessions in the league this year the Blazers are efficient, that's one of the reasons why in 148 games here, Nowitzki again fell into double figures with 10 altered points. He's done a really good job using the length of him and not around the ground to get great separation to seven. -footnotes here is Miller five to shoot Wallace will try a three with another board he has 13 Miller says why he wasn't for 37 during the regular season his son takes from Wallace here Stevenson in transition Camby with his board 14 well, you forget strong that Jason Kidd is, Norman, this is an easy one on the inside, well, this is a great defensive spot in Jason Kidd's memory, six or five to ten guys with very strong outstanding hands, two solid defensive plays in a row, Marian came out of that Blazers ball three and a half remaining on third down eight have kept their starters on the court throughout the quarter here both teams have all the turrets working on Tanner top shot by LaMarcus Aldridge timeout Dallas you talked before about how you like it lower low block now I wasn't used to it he's a very good player there in Dallas the Mavs cut the six Jason Kidd is going to have a great night of timely rest the robbery stripped Wallace puts it at the rim he just that's the force that just breaks No I know, but it doesn't matter because the refs don't call him, so not only has he been outstanding offensively but he's definitely made defensive plays as well.

And in talking to Mavericks players, there's a sense of urgency here, not just because they've lost in the first round three of the last four years, but because Jason Kidd is 38, there's 30 against Jason Terry and AIDS , you don't know how many. You'll get more opportunities and they've got a good team, obviously 57 wins over the season for a Taylor screen exit and Tim B clears it again now with Dirk and Jason on the bench even though it's been a bit of a struggle, let's look for if Portland takes control here Marian controls Aldridge 19 points for LaMarcus Aldridge and Marian appears on the steal and then a third team foul on the Blazers follows here in a quarter now he can go to the bench and then Aldridge will move to the center position a smaller lineup for Portland with Matthews Roy Miller's stick and all good, remember Dirk, as he said, goes to the bench, so you have Marian playing the bad turnover by the mass, all the turrets They have position, find a cutting batoul, it's a four-point game but a nice pass.

I'm a little surprised that he buried his defender and the purple stuff surprise that he didn't shoot but a good 5 Dallas with only 12 points here in the quarter 26 in the second period Terry no, and the Blazers can cut it to 2 under two to go in the third to Los Angeles after it's another successful alley of the fifth game. See what I mean when they take him out of basketball and allow him to use this skill? move his feet so well and react to what defenders are trying to take away from him, this guy is sensational, cuts to the 10 rim to run, Dallas shoots about 30% this quarter, as Barea gets fouled out of the grave, they thought that he had position, but it's a defensive foul, not everything has to be a post to be a post scorer and LaMarcus Aldridge, although he has taken his fair share of shots, he does it as well as anyone in the league, he reaches 12 and 15 feet and then attack. the rim has to be good, but they have been on the bottom of Chandler towards the bench and what do you notice?

Haywood,who did an outstanding job. I thought in the first half checking that LaMarcus Aldridge was in the game, can he give them another good pair of? minutes here cam B's back in Aldridge goes to the bench with 21 points another blazer offender Andre Miller a little concussed limping the Blazers are over the limit Miller committing his third foul rheya 85 percent free throw shooter but we pinched his ankle he was talking to the officer about now not sure what he's complaining about, he would have held his position on the screen, he's trying to fight it, David's body is too big, blah with four points, four points, Dallas Lee, you can see how Andre Miller would have success under a guy like Rick Majerus from the Utah game and the way Rick thinks the game I think this is pretty good none of the playoffs six previous times Andre Miller but never won a series first round here is Fernandez scored a three in the first off the mark there can also keep it alive again 16 rebounds and how about five assists for Marcus.

Camby Roy got him punched in a state laser ball, but he can't be as important as the only current blazer who played in a finals series who didn't play with him mixed in in 1999 and is assisting with knee surgery in January this game of 16, the former Defensive Player of the Year just doesn't have a consistently solid rebound in this league. Here's Roy, ravenoid offensive rebound only 104, two points in 14 minutes, barely 30 seconds left here. in the corner a lost ball by the blazer there is Terry for three hey wait with the offensive rebound a second difference between the game and the shot clock to smooth things out for Korea if Fernández did not keep him in front in the first half six seconds of sweet rebound here's Roy with - Roy from half court from the rim Dallas' lead at the half was 10, it's hard to see as we go to the fourth LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers' leading scorer with 21 Jason Kidd has been the story for Dallas, which leads by four, welcome back to Dallas with Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, his 14 points in that third quarter, which stagnated your offense, we missed some shots, we lost it , it's a bad combination, LaMarcus Aldridge has had success in that alley-oop, how do you change that defensive attitude? body on him, they are the best in the league doing it, he was a little more detailed as an ESPN analyst in those interviews, we have a victim that made him think about his old job, but it was only 5 of 18 at his point about his offense 5 of 8 Tina's Stephenson fouls Roy 5 of 18 for turnovers in that quarter, so one more field goal and land.

It was a very difficult night, I think defensively and they did an excellent job. Portland with him, they have been physical. they have doubled they have mixed up their defenses everything Coach McMillen Tobi's pregame has played only 10 points for him at times during the regular season he only had ten the season low is 7 is Batum racks it up and it's a two point game another bucket in The paint was 14 points nothing in the paint in the third quarter in favor of Portland plus 18 for Portland's direct play to not give up the grave in that exchange because they did not want any party to give joy.

Yaakov is no rebound, he can last until the tenth, the tire takes the lead, there is a lot of pressure on this Dallas team that lost in the first round three of the last four years and many people are against them this year despite 57 win 9 more than the opponent in the first round the two can't accumulate it at this time Vince will enter the next dead ball here is Terry one of the best scorers of the fourth quarter in the NBA Barea and he can't touch him it would have been a turnover if it had touched it and therefore it is out of bounds, it will be Portland's ball, it adapts to the feedback on the court. 5 of 16 shots.He has dynamos, it has been an achievementless activity for him tonight, he is only 1 of 7, Barea has constantly been able to get into the lane, but he has not become anything for his team, all the droppings, the maximum scorer, game 21 Andre Miller s14 Hernandez.

Telling you to love us and leave it at 61, sixth by our count, he managed a Leo and a 14-4 blazer. Here's Nowitzki Batum defending the shot clock, as recommended, turned in the lane and fouled Phylon Portland here in the fourth. Now see why this. alley-oop is successful, you will see the actions page of his commitment to Fernandez because he is afraid of his teammates being defeated and loses contact and every time you lose contact with your guy, you open yourself to the LOB and the Ben just passes the a while. I can make that play. Nowitzki believe it or not, that was his first free throw attempt of his. 89% free throw shooter.

Wow, that's significant. I mean, you think about how many cooked games this guy has played on average during his career. We're talking over a decade, six and a half free throw attempts per game for a decade, so the fact that Portland defended him as well as they have without putting him at the free throw line means Dallas regressed until Nowitzki's free throw. Lanza has 12 points here he is Fernandez tried to pass the ball to Aldridge Roy all the threads the two point attempt is good 23 points for Aldridge well, you always forget that this was the strength of a man, I mean, between 18 and 20 feet, the jumper was his strength when he debuted. he came into the league he does so many things around the rim now you say oh I forgot that it's 22 points per game during the net a career-high average of 28 against Dallas a turnover from Terry Thruway to Fernandez Portland looks to take the lead Fernández Powell hit the basket well, you love selflessness, but you could have easily taken advantage of that shooting opportunity.

The numbers advantage was significant. Barea commits the touch panels, which is very well done and the first outlet for Portland since early in the second quarter. ESPN's presentation of the NBA playoffs brought to you from BMW the definitive coverage for driving machines provided by Goodyear everything Goodyear is learning to make tires for stellar handling inspires what they put in theirs every game of this series during the regular season decided by every point we're down we're headed for a close one again as Aldridge had a big night you know what you like it's all the different ways he scored on these alley passes oop a little upstream by andre miller, he spins his defender in the post, a weakside cut that goes three different ways. that one in transition four different ways than from a small screen and take another dive to the rim five you have to deal with this guy make cuts to the rim how about Portland while Fernandez completes the three-point play to give the Blazers a triple? led Dallas scoring and a fade here in the second half they were tied in the first half he wants Dallas to have made eight threes this is how Mabel stays in the game Jason Kidd has five of them still Jankovic wide open off the mark Aldridge with the board for the third rebound, Marcus complete, but he has 23 points to lead all scorers Dallas lost and the first round is 2 cd a year ago, in seven they lost, he is a seed here, the three seeds in the West this time around Fernández.

He keeps him alive to fail for the-what's like balls in the air? I went to the Blazers in the second half, so five on the glass, but I get it close and it's a five-point blazer leading the biggest lead. of the game you have to go to Dirk, he put seven mana on him, nothing bad on Portland's part, it's key to set the screen or yes, Fernanda is on the ground, the outcast finds a and now it's a derived score here in the fourth quarter was two points in four minutes and now Forex in the slow and light possessions, you just managed his clock, how about six points in the last ten minutes just in case?

Shot clock at five Wallace beats Asia and missed the layup. Dallas missed its last nine shots. Nowitzki walks away and Macmillan thought it was a blocked shot. He's here at half court complaining. Dad says no offense is punished. We've got more NBA action for you starting on TNT tomorrow at 1:00 ET with the first game between the Spurs and the Grizzlies. York at Boston Game One tomorrow at 7:00 ET Denver Oklahoma City should be a fun series Game One tomorrow night ABC is Game One between the Lakers and New Orleans at 3:30 ET NBA TV on Tuesday Atlanta seems to get nowhere in Orlando Friday in the ESPN Lakers Hornets Boston Knicks game before you know the series, if there is any way the way the Celtics played down the stretch was mixed up when it unfolded that series, you know you have a scary proposition, I think, and I think it would be the combination. by Amar'e Carmelo and don't fire Chauncey Billups mr. the big shot who controls things in the playoffs as a decision maker is a great decision maker.

I think it's a scary truck. I think it's almost better that that's the team they draw because you know the New York Knicks are going to have the spotlight suffix and that's probably "The nice thing when you have a team that's been to the finals as many times as Boston Boston handles them." easily under the rain of the season is that Aldridge achieves the recovery has 25 points he is 11 of 18 from the calf. I can't get over two guys breaking down in such a short period of time and it's actually heartwarming that you think your potential Dallas has gone almost ten minutes without a field goal.

Terry crashed and will go to the line, let's hear Nate the Blazer reunite with Terry. he misses the first free throw meanwhile he's one of the best free throw shooters in the league the last point he scored I think this is the best one you looked at on this list of blazers and if beefy Brandon Roy could get his but the reason he screams The important thing is that there are not many great one-on-one players who can create their own opportunities for him, so all that evaluation that they do to get the action going and get the players moving is important for this team for the third consecutive postseason for Portland after a five-year drought the Blazers have not won a series since 2000 the current longest streak of consecutive losing series is six so to know which victim is going for the port here's Derek on the other end of the subway defending dirt runs and misses Dallas has missed his last ten shots from the field and dirt despite 17 on the night, it's interesting when you interrupt an early score in the basketball game , is there ever a point in the game where you can get your groove back for dirty answers, no buts, at the stop? in the past by Brandon Roy fast guy to the hoop Batum 11 points for Nicholas's platoon and has its biggest lead of the game at 6:00 and a turnover by Dallas Wallace and Roy couldn't handle the loss of pass Blazers the Portland Trailblazers in the second half take control of this basketball game, many of their opportunities come right in the orange, leading to a good field goal percentage.

They have the advantage. They end up coming back to beat the Mavs, who then next year went 67 wins, lost in the first round as 1c lost in o8 the first round and oh nine they won a first round series before losing in the semis of the

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against Denver than last time. The year is a year to see them fall to the Spurs and one has to wonder if they had a double-digit lead. They are without a field goal now, in almost 11 minutes, is the pressure on Dallas? You could certainly argue that there's probably more pressure.

This team has 57 first round wins than any other series in the NBA and their problem now is that they have 16 points in the paint in the first half. They don't have a single point in the painting. This is a jump shooting equipment. Can they make enough jump shots to win? His last vehicle arrived at 4:30 of the third quarter. Jason Kidd, who bailed them out all night now 8 of 12 from the field 21 points, Dallas had missed its last 10 in an 11-minute span before that. shot by Jason Kidd, they were 47% shooting in the first half, 23% before that dunk in the second Roy with 3 on the clock, a short by Wallace trying to keep him alive.

Dallas goes down and a best of seven ends up almost winning the series. 80% of the time, the dirt going through the back door got it from the tip and a block by Bhalla indicates a team foul on the Blazers here in the fourth the third on Aldridge in the half ski is 4 4 in the line 14 points will shoot back Heim field what percentage this year in 52 but only 5 of 17 tonight don't forget tomorrow more NBA playoff action on ABC is the first game between the Lakers and the Hornets NBA Playoffs an ABC headquarters of the NBA Finals York's majestic NBA countdown gets things going at three Nowitzki gets him both, so it's a two-point game, it's surprising how often that guy hits fifty percent from the court, it's extraordinary consistency tonight, obviously, the exception shot clock at two, Miller Palestine timehere, Novitsky misses and that puts the Blazers over the limit with 4 minutes and 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Good job Dallas on late situations before my hair changes. Dallas one of the best free throw teams in the league. Dirk one of the best of all time. 89% this year scored 74. directly at one point in March and is seven for seven the night one more comes. Rick Carlisle has a very long history in this game. I asked him where he thought the dirt fit and he remembered that now he was teammates with mr. Berg said he was in the top 10 or 15 of all time without a doubt in his 13th year MVP in 2007, four-time All-nba first team, 10 straight all-star games and just tied it at 72 with his 84 having trouble in home during the regular season. and in the past playoffs starting to come alive through the crowd here, great atmosphere for us here in Dallas, let's see the Mavs get eliminated, they tied the game again, you've given up the ten point lead, people have questioned your hardness.

In recent years, you now have the opportunity to change your character, make enough stops and become the team that people expected you to be in recent seasons. One of these. Rick Carlisle talked to us about that attitude that that's all that's really coming. to Dallas and how it is, just listen, that's right, actually, when they were down by six points, he turned to his team and said, guys, here the game comes down to making defensive stops and in this moment we will define who we are from so. that Huddle, his team came back to tie, underlined, it looks like they're trying to find hookahs.

The Dallas team will be the winner of this game. Andre Miller continues to have a big night, he has 16 points and six assists after that basket in Portland. Nowitzki pulls away 11 to go in the fourth quarter for Derek Miller Novitsky has come to life here in the final frame, comes back through the back door and takes it hard on his foul, hits the ground hard holding his left elbow on his three-point opportunity Jason Terry tries to beat Wallace out of bounds dribbling Stace saw in the corner and then he was calling for this play, almost like he gestured for this particular play and get this, no fear of contact at the rim, there was a great free agent class last year in Dirk Nowitzki. he could have been part but in reality it took around two million dollars less per year to stay in Dallas once his career as a Maverick ended he signed a new four-year contract and although he has not had great numbers in terms of points and rebounds They are still a potential excellent season for the all-nba first team for the fifth time he has 13 here in the fourth from the free throw line it is an 11-2 run after Dallas 111 minutes without a field goal they go to Dallas native all birds on the other end with three to play Aldridge beautiful move to get the Blazers back to within a fair point if he's come this far toughness ability to absorb contact because Tyson Chandler was putting them on top of him there at just 25 years old He's got 27 points tonight here's Nowitzki defended by the smallest Miller on the ground with the spin, the showdown coming up was the two guys, one was a star, this guy probably should have been Chandler he's giving him strong body, that jump seems so hard to contain and then Andre Miller a little exchange on defense leads to a mismatch and dirt on this drive and what matters most 16 points in the fourth quarter 26 for the game Dallas for four in the past they would go through Brandon Roy now They are exclusively in the last part. game situations on LaMarcus Aldridge the double team comes aliso tries to hit Miller right there 13 fall Marian meanwhile dirk nowitzki with 12 consecutive points is now back in the top five by 14 to shoot for the Blazers see if they go to Aldrich again for the bass block the tension and roll with Roy Bears put two little steaks in transition for Dallas up the goal to play down for Miller hit in the dirt what a move at the 18 point that guy is so tough around the rim even when he's getting to the rag like dad's says to change things is not explosive speed or guile to score over and around bigger defenders Blazers come back with that too double dirt ties up terry with five to shoot and terry grabbed by miller that will put terry in line Miller receives his fifth personal foul receives this basketball from Brandon Roy the push forward feels like he has the advantage, it's probably doubtful he's going in there saying the push up he did, he grabbed his arm, but that was then Andre crossed his body Terry just up to 1/4 of the line.

He is an 85 percent free throw shooter. He repeats it now, curiously, in the last possession. Nate McMillan elected to put the ball in Brandon's hands, setting a screen and rolling. I don't think Batum was the option they were looking for, let's see what they do on the next possession. Terry gets a four-point timeout. Portland Dirk Nowitzki has taken over the game here in the fourth quarter for the Mavs, we are not. Done yet, woman, I have to go four points Dallas Lee back in Dallas, where Dirk Nowitzki rallied the Mavs from a deficit of six points in the fourth quarter to take a four-point lead, you have to be mentally strong, I think to be. frustrated as he was at some points in the game and yet he has the calm and demeanor to make the set list and many of these contacts making the right one read a backdoor cut on denial by Aldridge absorbing the contact and then stays spaced Terry's dribble makes the big three recognize a smaller defender the spinning moves are from Andre Miller but still effective two heavenly points in the second order 16-0 it's a 16-2 six-gallon to take a lead of four points Dallas has 15 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter Portland has 12 for the game.

I just called a blazer foul. They called a foul out of the game. This could be huge against Dallas. The foul is on Marion. If it's an out-of-game foul, it's essentially a foul. technical and the ball since we are within two minutes to go, so a technical shot and the ball due to the offside foul on Marion this could be big that is the team's fourth foul I missed the free throw are not in the middle of the painting area which is where marian is going to end up what is that in the same thing as the top arc it was called this it didn't hurt him because we missed the free throw ball from Portland here is Roy with the melody of three authors He tried to shoot the rebound, lost the ball out of bounds.

Dallas ball, so the camp was based on Marian's mistake, had a chance to get four points on that possession, instead they got nothing, they thought the conference was to discuss today and again they can go to the monitor. in two minutes to see who touched it last, but they don't, they give it to Kenny Mauer, it sure seems like the right call, less than a minute left, now Dallas has a four-point lead, Terry with the shot clock at five here's Nowitzki the earth falling won't go Chandler hits him for a takeaway there's Jason Kidd with a shot clock at 10 he's got 21 points clocks at five kid by three who's that kid 24 points for 38-year-old Jason Ted, including 6 3s.

You had given up a 10-point lead. People had questioned his toughness, but when you had to have it, he found it and he's been behind your two veterans, JC Kid, Dirk Nowitzki, at least through the first game, answering some questions and the owner, yeah, he thinks is. Dallas is pretty well in control after Jason Kids' six 3-pointers, it's a seven-point lead for Dallas after Portland had a golden opportunity due to fouling out of the play to get an extra point. Nowitzki and Kidd combined for 50 points and 15 rebounds in this experience. and there is collective experience and this is a Dallas team with collective experience those six triples reached a personal record in the playoffs and their 122nd postseason game but with four threes but the grave brings Portland closer to four remember that Portland won a game against San Antonio during the regular season where They were trailing by four with about two seconds left and it was Batum, then he made some free throws and then the game winning ally you're playing with will see if they have some late game heroics again tonight , well, exactly what you needed as an efficient. shot as you can dribble an incoming pass so it only takes a couple of seconds and that with a fairly long defender you could see why this team was adamant about not giving up Nick Batum because he's only 22 or 23 years, that's why three years ago. third year without friends, I mean, incredible, the advantages of this young man here Dallas.

I have to believe you want to make sure Dirk is playing this. He's been outstanding in the fourth quarter and a great free throw shooter. Unique offer for Fort. Lee Valis Ball with a four-point lead trying to take a one-and-nothing lead in the series is Tuesday early today, two of the three home teams, one of which lost at home to Atlanta at 6:00 here on day 4, recovered behind the bits. key and kisses Robeson trying to make a defensive play with a similar steal on any catch, regardless of who has it, you have to make the head. Dallas can throw it to the back horde here.

Chandler, of the guys on the court, is the worst free. shooter 73% has to make it, he does it with Terry and they will foul him Terry 85 percent free throw shooter who missed a couple tonight another one is picking up the staff this Fork don't forget it tomorrow on ABC You can see Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the New Orleans Hornets in one of those series on La 3:30 Eastern on ABC. He is a five point Lathan. A free kick for Terry. Portland will take the timeout. 21.4 on the clock, six-point lead. For Dallas, the last time you ran this play, you got a very efficient dribble look for Nick Batum, play back to the shed for Brandon Roy Deniz, he has to separate himself from defenders.

I think about the early part of his career, the other thing you could do. Sometimes look here for the direct entry to the post if you can free LaMarcus Aldridge and since it's a freebie, Phaedra has a good three-point share. We saw Hanoi in a formalin game before, every afternoon, Ascenta won overtime against Denver, you see. tonight's leading scorers, Aldridge, a game-high 27-bit 26, 16 of those who came in the fourth Portland led by six with six minutes left, but since then, a 21-9 run by Nowitzki on the Mavs, it's interesting that Nate was talking before the game that guys have bad quarters or two quarters or three quarters and are able to find their rhythm.

That's what Dirk did. That's what a veteran does. There are no timeouts left for the Blazers. 21.4 on the clock, they are six down, it will be Fernández entering. here's Batum, he took a look off the rebound Sandler the Dallas Mavericks are going to take the first game Novitsky birds will go to the holds 11 of 11 the night on Jason Kidd nine and fourteen a personal record in the playoffs six triples 24 points Nowitzki It's 26 all 12 of his free throw attempts came here in the fourth quarter. I think what surprised me is that Jason's first threes were because I think that's the way they were playing him.

He was getting those shots in the second half. him clearing those shots you rarely see him, doesn't he do it when he makes shots early, even though the dagger was when they had a four point lead, the shot clock was running out and he hit the three? Roy misses and the Mavericks win the game. wrong one in the fourth quarter for Dirk Nowitzki and Holly Rowe is standing with him there are five minutes left in the game and your cooking game this will define how you finish this what did you find inside you? You better stop getting sick.

It was kind of easy, they got balloons all night, they got shots, whatever they wanted. I think in the fourth quarter we really made it tough and finally got some buckets to go down, I mean I was cold basically all night, the rest of the stronger guys. He told me to go ahead and just make something happen and I was able to make a shot. You didn't get to the free throw line until the end of this game. How did you change your way of thinking? You finished with 12 free throws. I mean, in that. Point Down Six just had to attack and try to make something happen, that's the good thing they went down to give us a lead and we didn't look back from there, so you know this team is looking for me to come. through your core and all night long all season long and that's what I try to do, thank you very much.

Holly Portland led 72-66, its largest lead of the game with six minutes left, but Dallas behind Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd finished with a 23rd lead. 9 runs to take the first game 89-81 for Doris Burke Holly Rowe I'm Dave Pasch, this has been a presentation from ESPN, the world's leader in sports fora long time since Dallas, Texas, where the Mavs take the first game SportsCenter right now