Dallas Mavericks Blog – Page 97 – NBA Blog

Celtics handle Mavericks

The AP reports:

The Boston Celtics got the split they wanted with the Dallas Mavericks.

Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Celtics stretched their winning streak to four games with a 102-93 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night.

Ray Allen had 21 points for the Celtics, beaten by the Mavericks 99-90 in Boston on Jan. 18 in their only other meeting this season.

Boston’s Rasheed Wallace vowed “retribution” in the rematch, complaining after the game in January that the referees give Dallas’ top scorer Dirk Nowitzki preferential treatment. Wallace refused to comment after Saturday night’s game, but Rondo said the Celtics weren’t dwelling on the past…

This time, Garnett and Wallace took turns guarding Nowitzki, who still went 11 for 19 from the floor and finished with 28 points.

Knicks dominate, end 13-game Mavs win streak

The AP reports:

Bill Walker scored a career-high 23 points, Wilson Chandler added 22 and the New York Knicks snapped Dallas’ 13-game winning streak and avenged a 50-point loss to the Mavericks earlier this season with a 128-94 victory on Saturday night…

Rookie Toney Douglas had 21 points, Al Harrington added 20 points, and David Lee contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who’d lost 14 of their previous 17 and nine straight in Dallas.

InsideHoops.com Notes:

The Knicks as a team shot 56.2%; the Mavericks hit 42.5%. But even better for New York was their incredible three-point shooting: 16-of-30. The Knicks also won the assists category, 28-14.

For New York, Walker shot 9-of-12 and hit 5-of-8 threes. Wilson Chandler scored 22 but he needed 20 shots to do it. Douglas, starting at point guard, shot 8-of-10 for his 21 points, and he dished eight assists. Harrington hit 8-of-15. And David Lee was fantastic in the middle, contributing 15 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki had a modest 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jason Kidd had 15 points on 12 shots and not much more. Shawn Marion had a mere 14 points on 15 shots. And Caron Butler was virtually invisible in his 30 minutes with seven points, three steals and little else.

Ryan Hollins OK with suspension

Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports:

Ryan Hollins insists he’s not a “dirty player or anything like that,” but he still was given a two-game suspension Wednesday by Stu Jackson, the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations, for striking Dallas guard DeShawn Stevenson during Monday night’s game at Target Center.

“I understand the suspension,” Hollins said after Thursday’s practice. “They said my fist was closed when it happened. That’s a league rule. I have to learn to control myself better and know what the refs are watching. I know it’s a matter of interpretation about what they see.”

Hollins is allowed to practice during his suspension, which cost him $53,252 of his $2.183 million salary this season, but he is prohibited from being in the arena for Wolves games. He was at home for Wednesday’s loss to Denver and will be again tonight for the Wolves’ game against San Antonio at Target Center.

Ryan Hollins suspended for hitting DeShawn Stevenson and Dirk Nowitzki

Ryan Hollins of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been suspended without pay for two games for punching DeShawn Stevenson and striking Dirk Nowitzki, both of the Dallas Mavericks, on Monday, March 8. The suspension was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident between Hollins and Stevenson occurred with 9:15 remaining in the second period, and the incident between Hollins and Nowitzki occurred with 3:38 remaining in the fourth period of Dallas’ 125-112 victory over Minnesota at Target Center.

Hollins’ suspension will begin tonight when the Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets.

Read NBA fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Celtics sign Mike Finley

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent guard/forward Michael Finley to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Finley, a 6’7”, 225 lbs guard/forward, has posted career averages of 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists and was a member of the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. The former Wisconsin Badger is a two-time All-Star and has netted over 17,000 career points. A member of the 1996 All-Rookie First Team, Finley has appeared in 111 career playoff games gaining averages of 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and a three-point field goal percentage of 39.1 percent. In postseason play among all active NBA players, Finley ranks third in career three-point field goals made (197) and sixth in playoff free throw percentage (.865).

Jason Terry out 7-10 days after surgery on face

Mavericks guard Jason Terry underwent surgery today to repair facial injuries sustained during Wednesday night’s game vs. Minnesota. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neil Williams in Dallas. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to basketball activities in 10-14 days.

Terry will not travel with the team to Chicago (3/6) or Minnesota (3/8).

Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News reports (via blog):

Whenever Jason Terry returns from his facial surgery, look for him to wear a shield as added protection, like Detroit’s Richard Hamilton.

“It’d be hard to believe that he wouldn’t wear something,” coach Rick Carlisle said, “but I didn’t do the surgery, so I’m not really the right guy to ask.”

Jason Terry needs surgery on face

Mavericks guard Jason Terry is scheduled for surgery tomorrow to address facial injuries sustained in last night’s game vs. Minnesota. A timetable will be released after the surgery is performed.

Terry (6-2, 180) has averaged 17.0 points, 3.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.23 steals, while shooting 44.7% from the field and 36.4% from 3-point range. The reigning 6th Man of the Year is the only Maverick that has played in all 62 games this season.

Tim Thomas dealing with personal issue

Eddie Sefko of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

For most of the last two months, Tim Thomas hasn’t been with the Mavericks because some things are far more important than basketball.

The 6-foot-10 forward has been caring for his wife, Tricia, who has been suffering from serious health issues for over a year.

“I had to give up doing something I love to take care of someone I love,” Thomas said in a telephone interview.

During his time away from the team, the Mavericks and Thomas have not commented on the reason for his absence. Every game, the same explanation is given: not with the team, personal reasons.

Kidd, Hawks coach have sideline run-in

ESPN reports:

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson drew an unusual technical foul with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks.

Down 97-95, Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd noticed Woodson standing on the court and drove into him, causing the contact and foul.

Woodson and Kidd argued after the play, and both had to be restrained from one another.

Dirk Nowitzki made the ensuing technical free throw, and the Mavericks went on to win in overtime, 111-103.

NBA fines Andrew Bynum

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing game officials, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Bynum was fined for his comments made following the Lakers 101-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Elliot Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News reports:

“It’s hard to win when it’s five against eight,” Bynum said Wednesday.

He meant it was difficult to play against five Mavs plus the three referees. Bynum said he had expected to be fined for the first time in his career.

“I knew it was going to happen,” he said. “Whether it’s fair is debatable.”