Category: Dallas Mavericks Blog

Mavericks blog – Dallas Mavericks blog. A great Mavs news blog

Lakers sign DJ Mbenga for rest of season

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center Didier “DJ” Ilunga-Mbenga for the remainder of the season, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Mbenga, a 7-foot, 220 pound native of the Congo, signed a second 10-day contract with the Lakers on February 1st after signing his first 10-day contract with the Lakers on January 21st. In 8 games with the Lakers, Mbenga has averaged 2.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.75 blocks in 7.1 minutes. Earlier in the season, Mbenga signed with the Golden State Warriors November 17 after spending three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks prior to their request for waivers on him October 30. In 16 games with the Warriors prior to his release January 6, Mbenga averaged 1.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.63 blocked shots in 8.1 minutes.

After signing with Dallas as a rookie free agent in 2004, Mbenga, 27, played 79 games over three seasons with the Mavericks, totaling 106 points, 75 rebounds and 35 blocked shots in 374 minutes. In his rookie year of 2004-05, he averaged 4.10 blocks per 48 minutes played while improving to 5.00 blocks per 48 minutes in 2005-06. In 2006-07 he was limited to just 21 games after missing the first 16 games of the year with a left foot tendon strain and suffering a torn right ACL 2/7/07 vs. Memphis.

In 103 career games including two starts, Mbenga is averaging 1.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.50 blocked shots in 5.4 minutes.

Mavericks re-assign Maurice Ager to D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-assigned guard Maurice Ager to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

Ager (6-5, 202) has seen action in 12 games this season, starting three. He averages of 1.3 points and 0.3 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per game. His best game came vs. San Antonio (11/5), when he finished with a season-high 5 points, 2 rebounds and a career-high 3 assists.

Previously, Ager, who was drafted by Dallas with the 28th pick of the 2006 draft, was assigned to the D-League on Dec. 17. In eight games with the 66ers, he averaged 17.4 points and 2.3 assists in 33.4 minutes per game before being recalled on Jan. 6.

The 66ers host Los Angeles on Feb. 14 before breaking for All-Star Weekend.

Mavs notes after beating Grizzlies

Dallas Mavericks notes after beating the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night.

Jerry Stackhouse returned to action tonight after missing the last 8 games with a strained right hamstring. He finished the game with 7 points, 3 assists, 1 steal, 11 minutes off the bench.

Erick Dampier was unavailable tonight due to a sprained right ankle. Gana Diop started in his place and contributed 8 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 26 minutes.

Diop’s 12 rebounds were the most since he came down with 11 vs. DEN (1/27).

Dallas improved to 2-1 when at least 3 reserves score 10+ points. Tonight, Devean George (14), Brandon Bass (13), Jason Terry (11) had at least 10 off the bench.

George’s 13 points (6-8 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) marked a season-high. (previous high was 12 at UTA, 12/26).

Memphis’ Rudy Gay recorded his 7th double-double of the season (team-highs 18 points, 12 rebounds).

The Mavericks have won their last 3 games by an average of 10.3 points per game.

Dallas has now won 10 straight games over Memphis – 14 games when including the 1st round sweep of the Grizzlies in the 2006 NBA Playoffs.

The Mavs have won 9 consecutive home games. They lost, 81-88, vs. CLE (12/27) at AAC.

Tonight’s attendance was 20,315 fans (19,200 capacity). The Mavs have sold out 259 consecutive regular season games at AAC and 297 games including the postseason. Dallas currently owns the longest running sellout streak in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings previously held the streak but failed to sellout their home opener this season. The Mavs are now ranked #10 on the all-time NBA sellout streak list.

Rumor: Heat, Suns talking Shaq trade

The Miami Herald (Barry Jackson) reports: The Heat has told center Shaquille O’Neal’s representation that it is talking about trading him and he should be prepared for the possibility of a deal, according to two officials close to the situation. Phoenix has discussed sending forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks to the Heat in return for O’Neal. Asked for confirmation, one of O’Neal’s representatives said O’Neal has been made aware that discussions with Phoenix are serious and ongoing, but that a deal was not definite. Dallas also has been mentioned as a potential destination, though the Heat had not immediately informed O’Neal of that possibility. O’Neal, 35, was shocked by the turn of events, an associate said.

The East Valley Tribune (Scott Burdow) writes: The Miami Herald is reporting that the Suns are trying to acquire center Shaquille O’Neal from the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I know this is the time for rumors, what with the NBA trading deadline on Feb. 21, but I can’t believe this is true. O’Neal is old and broken down. He would fit into Mike D’Antoni’s system about as well as  a tank on the Autobahn. Plus, he’s owed $40 million over the next two years, which would put owner Robert Sarver into luxury tax territory.

Devin Harris out 2-3 weeks

Mavericks guard Devin Harris underwent an MRI today on his left ankle. The results revealed a left ankle bone bruise. There is no additional structural damage. He is anticipated to return to activity in 2-3 weeks.

Harris suffered the injury at the 7:53 mark of the fourth quarter in last night’s game vs. Denver. In 39 games this season, Harris has averaged career-highs 14.4 points, 5.3 assists and 1.44 steals. He is also shooting 48.3% from the field, a career-high 35.7% from 3-point range and 82.1% from the free throw line.

He did not travel with the team to Memphis for tonight’s game.

Readers pick Suns over Mavs

InsideHoops.com polled our readers, who are a national and worldwide fan base, asking who would win a seven-game playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, assuming both teams were healthy and at full strength.

Right now, our readers prefer the Suns, with 63% feeling Phoenix wins it, and 37% liking Dallas.

Breaking it down further, 51% of our readers felt the Suns would win in 6 or 7 games, 13% saying the Suns would win in 4 or 5 games. As for fans who picked the Mavs, 33% said they’d win in 6 or 7 games, 3% picked 4 or 5 games.

Over 400 fans voted in the 36-hour poll.

Mavericks recall Maurice Ager from D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have recalled guard Maurice Ager from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League.

Ager (6-5, 202) is being recalled for the first time this season after recently being assigned to Tulsa on December 16.  He has played in 8 games for the 66ers and averaged 17.4 points and 2.3 assists in 33.4 minutes per game.

Ager, who was drafted by Dallas with the 28th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, has played in 7 games for the Mavericks this season and holds averages of 2.1 points and 0.6 rebounds. He is scheduled to meet the team in Minnesota today for the Mavericks game against the Timberwolves on Sunday, Jan. 6.