Dallas was up by as many as 13 and led by 8 after the first quarter, they were at home and they were playing a bad Minnesota team with nothing to play for. I'm not sure why Dallas came out so flat. They did have a quick turn around after a physical loss against New Orleans, but that excuse is more fitting for a team that has struggles in the first quarter. Dallas had a significant lead in the 1st. They waited until later in the game to miss 14 consecutive shots. I don't know what the deal was.
But Dirk began to heat up after a slow start. Jet was magnificent in the 4th quarter and buried a jumper with 0.2 seconds remaining to give the Mavs the 96-94 lead.
Disturbing and encouraging all at the same time. Fought back from down by 7 in the 4th, but they shouldn't have been down by 7 in the first place. It should be noted and applauded that both Jet and Dirk hit clutch shots with less than a minute left. Dirk with the nifty move in the paint and layup to tie it at 94 with 40 some odd seconds left and of course Jason Terry's clutch jumper for the win.
BOX SCORE - DAL 96, MIN 94
This win is especially crucial because Utah won their game and New Orleans lost. This inches us closer to a chance at the number 6 seed and it also maintains our lead over the Jazz for the 8 seed. You don't want Los Angeles in the first round. Dallas (Before tonight) is playing their best basketball of the season. Peaking at the right time...you still don't want the Lakers yet.
If they were to beat against Houston, I could definitely see them beating any one of the possible first round matchups (Denver, Houston, Portland or San Antonio)
In turn, that means I could see them beating any one of their possible second round matchups (Which would be one of the aforementioned 4 teams or New Orleans)
If they close out the season strong and then win their first two playoff series, I don't see any reason why they couldn't take the Lakers. Dallas would be on an absolute high. But in their current state, I think they'd lose in 5 to LA.
Now for a look outside of Dallas but still relevant to the team...
Dallas fans need to temporarily become San Antonio fans. San Antonio needs to beat New Orleans and Dallas, who is at home on Wednesday, needs to beat Houston. This would move the Mavs up to 6. We shouldn't be terrified of Denver, as I think the Mavs could hang with them, I'd just rather not go against a team that swept us during the season for our first round matchup.
So who should you cheer for Mavs fans?
It all revolves around Wednesday night. Root for the Nuggets to beat the Blazers, the Spurs to beat the Hornets and of course, the Mavericks to beat the Rockets. The playoff tree would look like so at that point...
1- Lakers
2- Nuggets
3- Spurs
4- Rockets
5- Blazers
6- Mavs
7- Hornets
8- Jazz
The dream matchup for Dallas in the first round is San Antonio. Without Ginobili and an ailing Duncan, Dallas would be riding in on a season high. The next round would have us playing the Nuggets or the Hornets, both of which I think Mavs fans believe we can take.
So, for Wednesday night, go Mavs, Spurs and Nuggets.
Now to the Rangers.
Pitching continues to fail the Rangers. Just like it has for 37 years now. If it's not the bullpen (I'm talking to you, C.J. Wilson) then it's the starters.
Vicente Padilla was shelled this evening. 7 runs in three and a third innings pitched. Scott Feldman came in and didn't make matters any better, giving up three runs in just over two innings.
The bats awoke from their three game slump, but the pitching was horrendous. Except from Jason Jennings, who so far this season with his small 3 inning sample size, has been flat out nasty. Jennings has looked tremendous. He and Francisco both have. Both of them tossing a scoreless inning this evening.
Two good things come out of this game. Chris Davis found his swing again. Davis, who before today was 1 for 21 with 10 strikeouts, was actually supposed to rest today, but Hank Blalock had neck stiffness and was not able to go. Davis had by far his best game of the season going 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. He did strikeout once more, though. I was just glad to see him making contact.
The other fantastic thing to come out of this game is that Andruw Jones, playing in his second game as a Ranger, had another great performance. 2 for 3, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a home run. He also drew two walks. Batting patience has been a problem with this team for quite a while now. It was good to see Andruw have patience at the plate. Hopefully he's found himself after disappearing in Los Angeles last year.
Even after all the pitching problems this evening, the Rangers had closed to within one run in the 7th inning after Andruw Jones' two run shot. Frankie Francisco came in and was good with his scoreless ninth inning. Ian Kinsler led off the ninth with a double, setting up a runner in scoring position with Young, Hamilton and Jones coming up...no outs.
Good setup, but no follow through. Young hit a deep fly to right, but Nick Markakis made an absolutely ridiculous catch. Ian Kinsler, anticipating that the ball would not be caught, was not tagging up and was thus having to scramble back to second. That may be the biggest play of the night considering Hamilton's fly out to mid-Center would have scored him from third had he been tagging up on Young's fly ball.
Andruw Jones walked, David Murphy came into pinch run and the double steal was on. Put runners at second and third with two outs for Marlon Byrd, but Byrd went down swinging on a fastball in.
The Rangers, who swept the Indians to start the season, now sit at 3-4.
- AL West W-L
- Seattle 5-2
- LA Angels 3-3
- Oakland 3-4
- Texas 3-4
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