Mavericks: How Dallas Can Beat Golden State
The Dallas Mavericks collide with the Golden State Warriors for the first time this year since being swept in the previous season series.
The Dallas Mavericks (18-13) were torched by point guard and Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry and the eventual world champion Golden State Warriors (29-1) in three head-to-head meetings in the 2014-15 NBA season.
The two teams meet Wednesday night at American Airlines Center for the first time this season as the Mavericks will see if they have the answer to upsetting the visiting Warriors.
First off, how do the Mavericks stop Curry?
Well, it’s easier said than done. But there’s really no stopping this guy. Curry’s vision is at a whole new level and he has plenty of lethal weapons around him. He’s a genuine scorer and an absolute stud from behind the arc.
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Curry is deadly from almost anywhere beyond the three-point line. All it takes is a little bit of breathing room for him to get a good look.
The Mavericks haven’t forgotten about Curry’s 51-point game on February 4 of last season. If Dallas has any chance of stopping the reigning MVP, point guards J.J. Barea and Devin Harris must play lock-down defense.
It’s highly unlikely we’ll see point guard Deron Williams, who is day-to-day due to a strained left hamstring, matching up with Curry in this game. Head coach Rick Carlisle understands guarding a beast like him requires full health.
Even if you double-team him, Curry has no problem giving up the ball. This is the reason why he’s averaging roughly seven assists per game this season.
But right behind Curry is shooting guard Klay Thompson, who’s averaging 19.6 points per game. If Curry has an off game, which the Mavericks can only pray he does, Thompson has no problem taking over.
Thompson set an NBA record for points in a quarter by scoring 37 points in the third quarter in a Warriors 126-101 home victory over the Sacramento Kings last season.
He went 13-for-13 in the quarter, scoring nine three-pointers. It was like watching an atom split on hardwood.
Dallas guards must provide the same energy to slow down Thompson. That means staying active and playing tight defense because Thompson can knock down three-pointers as well as attack the rim with wild abandonment.
The Mavericks need to come up big on offense.
It’s going to cringe to say this, but power forward Dirk Nowitzki and small forward Chandler Parsons will need to have the game of their lives. Right now, they are the bulk of the Mavericks scoring.
Witnessing a vintage Dirk would be epic, but one of the most prolific defenders standing in his way is Golden State power forward Draymond Green.
Parsons missed some time coming off a knee injury, but he is quickly regaining form and giving this team some quality minutes.
Shooting guard Wesley Matthews has been on fire lately. He scored a game-high 22 points in a 103-93 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, a team who handed the Warriors its first loss of the season. Matthews has plenty of range and he’s not going to be afraid of taking big shots.
The margin of error for the Dallas Mavericks is going to be small.
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If they’re going to disappoint the Golden State Warriors, they must execute on offense, protect the ball and compete on the defensive end.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports.