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View media item 1493644
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Primer: The Mavericks’ arena and Rockets’ arena are separated by less than 250 miles, so we’re in for a classic Texas shootout.
MVP candidate James Harden led the injury-plagued Rockets to the second seed in the Western Conference, while future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki took a payout in the offseason before leading the new-look Mavericks back to the playoffs for the 14th time in his career.
This season poses another opportunity for Harden to get past the first round for the first time as a Rocket, but the veteran lineup of Dallas has the playoff chops (Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo) to send Houston home with another early exit.
As far as familiar faces on the opposite bench, Jason Terry, now a Rocket, won a title with Dallas in 2011, while Chandler Parsons, a former Rocket, is in his first season as a Mavericks sharpshooter.
Season series: 3-1 Houston
Key players: Nowitzki is still the heart of the Mavericks despite being 36 years old. The German power forward averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the regular season. In addition to the ageless wonder that is Nowitzki and his turnaround jump shot, the return of Chandler (10.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg) and midseason additions of Amar’e Stoudemire (10.8 ppg) and Rondo (9.3 ppg, 6.5 apg) have provided veteran leadership and production.
Harden at 27.4 points and 7.0 assists per game is the straw that stirs the drink in Houston, but the return of a healthy Dwight Howard should prove invaluable for the Rockets. In just 41 games this season, Howard averaged 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. If Howard is fresh for the postseason after playing half of the regular season schedule, the paint might belong to Houston throughout the playoffs.
Injuries: Donatas Motiejunas (back) and Patrick Beverley (wrist) are both out for the season in Houston, while Dallas’ Devin Harris (toe) and Parsons (knee) are both questionable for Game 1.
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Mavericks get who they preferred and the Rockets are looking to avenge a series loss 10 years ago made up of ghost calls/Tim Donaghy/JVG fined for sticking up for Yao/Michael Finley.
Should be fun boys.
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Primer: The Mavericks’ arena and Rockets’ arena are separated by less than 250 miles, so we’re in for a classic Texas shootout.
MVP candidate James Harden led the injury-plagued Rockets to the second seed in the Western Conference, while future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki took a payout in the offseason before leading the new-look Mavericks back to the playoffs for the 14th time in his career.
This season poses another opportunity for Harden to get past the first round for the first time as a Rocket, but the veteran lineup of Dallas has the playoff chops (Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo) to send Houston home with another early exit.
As far as familiar faces on the opposite bench, Jason Terry, now a Rocket, won a title with Dallas in 2011, while Chandler Parsons, a former Rocket, is in his first season as a Mavericks sharpshooter.
Season series: 3-1 Houston
Key players: Nowitzki is still the heart of the Mavericks despite being 36 years old. The German power forward averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the regular season. In addition to the ageless wonder that is Nowitzki and his turnaround jump shot, the return of Chandler (10.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg) and midseason additions of Amar’e Stoudemire (10.8 ppg) and Rondo (9.3 ppg, 6.5 apg) have provided veteran leadership and production.
Harden at 27.4 points and 7.0 assists per game is the straw that stirs the drink in Houston, but the return of a healthy Dwight Howard should prove invaluable for the Rockets. In just 41 games this season, Howard averaged 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. If Howard is fresh for the postseason after playing half of the regular season schedule, the paint might belong to Houston throughout the playoffs.
Injuries: Donatas Motiejunas (back) and Patrick Beverley (wrist) are both out for the season in Houston, while Dallas’ Devin Harris (toe) and Parsons (knee) are both questionable for Game 1.
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Mavericks get who they preferred and the Rockets are looking to avenge a series loss 10 years ago made up of ghost calls/Tim Donaghy/JVG fined for sticking up for Yao/Michael Finley.
Should be fun boys.
