GT: Dallas Mavericks (12-16) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (21-6) 8:00 ET on TNT

[Fudge]

VS.



PROJECTED STARTERS:


DALLAS MAVERICKS
PG: Darren Collison
SG: OJ Mayo
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Elton Brand
C: Chris Kaman

Bench: Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Jae Crowder, Dahntay Jones, Dominique Jones, Chris Douglas Roberts


OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Thabo Sefolosha
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Scrubdrick Scrubkins

Bench: Kevin Martin, Nick Collison, Eric Maynor, Hasheem Thabeet, Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson



OKC looking to avoid a 3 game losing streak, while Dallas is looking to get back on track with the return of the almight Dirkules. Gonna be intradasting.

[shortsoptional]

Just FYI

Dirk will be coming off the bench again. He'll probably play 20-25 minutes. I doubt he plays that long if this game gets out of hand, which it probably will.

[Fudge]

Originally Posted by shortsoptional

Just FYI

Dirk will be coming off the bench again. He'll probably play 20-25 minutes. I doubt he plays that long if this game gets out of hand, which it probably will.

For some reason i thought he started his first game back. Guess not. So do you think they'll go small ball with Marion at the 4 or throw Brand out there?

[shortsoptional]

Originally Posted by Fudge

For some reason i thought he started his first game back. Guess not. So do you think they'll go small ball with Marion at the 4 or throw Brand out there?

Nah... he played about 20 minutes off the bench before SA went on a three point fun run.

Carlisle said going forward these next few games that he'll continue to go with Dirk off the bench until he gets his legs back. Ease him back in.

I have no clue what the starting lineups will be at any position. Carlisle had 10 different lineups through the first 20 games. It changes from night to night...he's been playing the hot hand because the young guys are so inconsistent. Actually... the entire squad sans Marion has been inconsistent.

[maybeshewill13]

Thunder up!

[worldbefree]

Is Mayo playing tonight? I heard he was sick.

[bdreason]

This game could get ugly.

[shortsoptional]

Originally Posted by worldbefree

Is Mayo playing tonight? I heard he was sick.

Beat writers are being quiet on starting lineups... I haven't heard anyone out due to sickness except for Roddy B....which doesn't matter much...

[KG215]

Westbrook, Martin, and maybe even Serge will have to step it up some tonight offensively, because Marion seemingly always does a good job on Durant and holds him below his averages.

[shortsoptional]

Finally...

It's Collison, Mayo, Dahntay Jones, Marion and Kaman

[KG215]

I know it was Chris Kaman, but that crossover by Durant was nasty.

[fsvr54]

Mayo needs to be a more assertive force.

[fsvr54]

Mavs have the most atrocious rebounding in the league.

[shortsoptional]

Originally Posted by fsvr54

Mayo needs to be a more assertive force.

That's my problem with him...

He's had a decent start to the season, but teams take him out of the game way too easy... he turns in to a spot up shooter.

[shortsoptional]

Originally Posted by fsvr54

Mavs have the most atrocious rebounding in the league.

Certainly do...

Haywood was terrible offensively, but he blocked out. J-Kidd anticipated better than anyone for the loose ball and despite what people say, Dirk is a decent rebounder. Kaman, Brand and Wright have been terrible on the glass.