Full-Court Press

For the Heat, game vs. the Mavs wasn't personal

DALLAS _ Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra tried to convince his listeners that Sunday’s 105-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks wasn’t personal.

That last year’s six-game loss to the Mavs in the NBA Finals wasn’t anywhere on their minds when the Heat stepped on the American Airlines Center court. He kept saying the Heat weren’t thinking that the Mavs stole last year’s championship away from Miami.

Spoelstra wanted everyone to believe that Sunday’s game was just another one in this 66-game season. Yeah, right.

“It’s not about last year’s storyline,’’ Spoelstra said. “It’s not about anything else other than trying to establish our season on the right note, and obviously I think we did that for the most part.

“It was a good business professional win for us tonight to get this thing started. We understand this is going to be a wild journey for everybody with all the condensed games coming one after another, and all we wanted to focus on tonight was our mindset to come in and focus on tonight.’’

-- Dwain Price

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The Heat heard the Mavs' pre-game ceremonies

DALLAS _ The Miami Heat couldn’t help but hear the Dallas Mavericks’ fans screaming and hollering during today’s pre-game banner-raising ceremonies.

At the time, the Heat were in their locker room waiting for the start of the rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, which was captured by the Mavs. That banner-raising ceremony was not something the Heat wanted to watch.

“Yes, we heard it,’’ Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. “But at the end of the day they are the champions and they deserve it.

“We just came back to the locker room and stretched and got ready for when it was time to get back on the court.’’

Wade said no statements were made by the Heat, who led the Mavs by 35 points before settling for a 105-94 victory.

“We came out and played this game,’’ Wade said. “We’re 1-0 and they’re 0-1, and I’m sure they’re going to be a very good team, and so are we.’’

The Mavs had beaten the Heat in 17 straight regular season games. Dallas also beat the Heat in last year’s NBA Finals in six games, but Wade is encouraged by what he saw from Miami today.

“It’s different from last year and we’re a little more together and more comfortable,’’ Wade said. “This is step one, and we did a good job today.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Stern has a very good relationship with Cuban

DALLAS _ NBA commissioner David Stern was at today’s Miami Heat-Dallas Mavericks game, and had a lot to say.

Stern talked about the NBA lockout, revenue sharing, why he blocked the Chris Paul-to-the-Los Angeles Lakers trade and several other issues.

In summation, Stern said he’s aware that folks are enthusiastic about finally getting the season started following the long lockout.

“It’s going to be great (season) that’s going to build on the momentum for our teams that are doing pretty well with respect to (ticket) renewal and ticket sales,’’ Stern said. “We still expect it to be a little bit flat when you have to sell so many games in a week, because we have a much busier schedule than we’re used to.’’

Stern also said he has a pretty good relationship with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who has drawn more than his share of hefty fines from the commissioner.

“All families are dysfunctional, they’re just dysfunctional in different ways,’’ Stern said. “Mark and I have a very good relationship, we visited before the game.

“He makes contributions to our league in many ways. Just as I was here to give him the trophy, I’m happy to be here at the banner-raising.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs new players have mixed results

DALLAS- After Sunday’s season-opening 105-94 loss to the Miami Heat, it’s crystal clear that the three new players in the Dallas Mavericks’ rotation have some work to do before they can fit in snugly.

Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West combined to score 19 points on 6-of-19 shooting in a lukewarm debut with the Mavs. They also combined for six rebounds, seven assists and seven turnovers.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Odom was his own worst enemy. The former Los Angeles Laker forward was just 1-of-6 from the field and finished with four points, four rebounds, four fouls and two turnovers.

Odom also picked up a couple of quick technical fouls and was ejected from the game midway through the third period for saying some nasty things to the officials.

“We’ve got to work him into things,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s going to be playing more positions for us than he probably played for the Lakers.

“I see him being able to make the transition quickly because he’s a smart player and he’s a skilled player. You can tell how much he wants to be a part of it and how much he wants to be a positive part of things.’’

Odom said it could be as soon as Monday’s game against Denver before he settles nicely into his new role with the Mavs.

“Sometimes it just kind of happens, and I’ll be patient and just wait for it to happen,’’ Odom said. “I always remain confident.’’

Carter, who finished with five points on 2-of-6 shooting,  started the game at shooting guard with mixed results. But West started the second half in Carter’s place, because Carlisle felt he needed another playmaker on the floor with Jason Kidd.

“I like the way Vince played,’’ Carlisle said. “Vince is going to be a good player for us.

“He’s an eight-time All-Star and he’s a Hall of Fame player. He’s got plenty left, it’s just we need to examine what’s going to work best for us in terms of putting us in the best positive position defensively at the beginning of games.’’

West, meanwhile tallied 10 points in 25 minutes on 3-of-7 shooting. He also had three assists and three turnovers.

“We’ve got some work to do,’’ forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “We’ve got to get those new guys in real quick and just be sharper on both ends of the floor.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Heat leads the Mavs at the half, 62-41

DALLAS _ At the half at American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks are trailing the Miami Heat, 62-41. And it doesn't look like it's that close.

The revamped defending NBA champions look defenseless, as the Heat are having their way on the court. Miami had an 18-0 edge on points inside the paint in the first period, and a 28-8 edge at the half.

LeBron James (18 points, seven rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (14 points, five rebounds and five assists) have been the main weapons for Miami. The Heat also got three three-pointers off the bench from James Jones.

The Mavs have struggled and shot just 28.9 percent from the field (11-of-38), and have also lost the rebound battle, 28-13.

Dirk Nowitzki leads Dallas with 13 points on 2-of-9 shooting. New Mavs forward Lamar Odom has four points (1-of-6 shooting) and three fouls in nine minutes.

Also for Dallas, Jason Kidd has nine points and Jason Terry has eight points.

The Mavs raised the championship banner before the game in an emotional ceremony headed by NBA commissioner David Stern, who plans to fly to Oklahoma City later today and watch the Thunder host the Orlando Magic. That's about the only thing that has gone well for the Mavs today.

-- Dwain Price

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Oklahoma City will win it all this season

DALLAS _ This may be the season to be jolly, but some NBA teams won’t pass the smell test this season.

The 66-game season is upon us, and the presents will be unwrapped starting Christmas.

So, here’s who I think Santa Claus will bring lots of presents to by the time this six-month NBA journey ends.

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

PLAYOFF SEEDS

1. Chicago

2. Miami

3. New York

4. Boston

5. Orlando

6. Atlanta

7. Philadelphia

8. Milwaukee

 

PLAYOFFS

 

FIRST ROUND

Chicago over Milwaukee

Miami over Philadelphia

New York over Atlanta

Boston over Orlando

 

SECOND ROUND

Chicago over Boston

Miami over New York

 

THIRD ROUND

Chicago over Miami

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PLAYOFF SEEDS

1. Oklahoma City

2. Dallas

3. LA Clippers

4. San Antonio

5. Portland

6. Memphis

7. LA Lakers

8. Denver

 

PLAYOFFS

 

FIRST ROUND

Oklahoma City over Denver

Dallas over LA Lakers

LA Clippers over Memphis

Portland over San Antonio

 

SECOND ROUND

Oklahoma City over Portland

Dallas over LA Clippers

 

THIRD ROUND

Oklahoma City over Dallas

 

NBA FINALS

Oklahoma City over Chicago

-- Dwain Price

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Terry has a "Seahawk" hairdo

DALLAS _ A reporter asked Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry whether his new hairstyle was a Mohawk.

A Seattle native and huge Seattle Seahawk fan, Terry wasn’t bashful about explaining his new ‘do.

“It’s called a Seahawk,’’ Terry said. “It’s not a Mo, it’s a Sea.

“My team is making a run (in the NFL playoffs). They’ve got a chance. A slim one, but it’s a tribute to them.’’

Friends with Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, Terry was asked if he mind if fans showered him with Skittles the way they affectionately shower Lynch when he scores a touchdown.

“No, I’m a Starburst guy,’’ Terry said. “LO (Lamar Odom) already loaded me up.

“He put them in my locker. Everybody knows he’s the candy man.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs' season opener has added flavor

DALLAS _ When the original NBA schedule was released, the Dallas Mavericks were supposed to open the season Nov. 1 against the Chicago Bulls.

The lockout changed that, and ultimately added some unusual flavor to the Mavs’ season opener.

As the basketball gods would have it, the Mavs will open the season Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center against the Miami Heat. Mavs guard Jason Terry describes it as a “special’’ moment, since it was the Heat whom the Mavs beat in six games to win last year’s NBA title.

“It’s a very tough challenge for us, but we’re up for it and we’re ready to go,’’ Terry said. “I don’t know any player in our locker room that’s not going to be ready. Guys are fired up.’’

That includes the three new Mavs’ players -- Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West -- who are slated to receive extensive playing time in Dallas’ rotation this season.

“I think all of them have something to prove,’’ Terry said of the new Mavs. “Vince hasn’t won and hasn’t been in the playoffs for several years.

“Lamar, everything he’s gone through in LA. And then Delonte, these guys have a chip on their shoulders and they’re out there to prove something.’’

Terry said the Mavs will rely a lot on what the Heat tried to do to them in last year’s Finals. But he knows Miami has also added some new wrinkles.

“Players try to work on different things in the offseason, but I’m a big fan of relying on your strengths and work on your weaknesses,’’ Terry said. “They’re going to be out here doing what they do, and we know this team very well being that they were the last team we faced.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Carlisle expect the Heat to be tough on defense

DALLAS _ The Miami Heat were a stellar defensive team last year and Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle expect more of the same this season.

Especially since the Heat has All-Stars Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh as their centerpieces.

“They’re going to again be a great defensive team,’’ Carlisle said after this morning’s practice. “They’re another year more experienced.

“They do have a couple of young players that appear to be rotation guys for them, or potential rotation guys for them. They’re going to bring them some more energy.’’

The Mavs open the season against the Heat at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at American Airlines Center.

Carlisle said he can perhaps get some pointers by looking at film he has from last season’s NBA Finals against the Heat. But he’s not totally counting on that as the sole scouting report for beating Miami.

“In their two exhibitions games they have some different concepts that they’re working on,’’ Carlisle said. “I know we’ll see a lot of the same things that we saw last year, too, that were difficult to defend and made it difficult for us to score on them.

“Look, we’ve got to make sure we’re pushing the ball at all times. We’ve got to make sure our disposition is strong defensively and offensively, and it’s a helluva challenge on opening day.’’

Carlisle knows his team’s transition defense has to be at its best, or else the Heat could put on a dunking clinic.

“We’ve got to be communicating and getting back, we’ve got to keep Wade and James out of the paint and from attacking the rim and dunking the ball, and we’ve got to find Bosh, because he’s a great shooter,’’ Carlisle said. “And there other guys are extremely capable.

“We haven’t seen (Shane) Battier in preseason yet. But he’s a proven playoff player and he’s going to be a big part of their rotation.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Carlisle won't talk about winning another title

DALLAS _ Don’t ask Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle about winning another NBA title. He doesn’t want to be part of that conversation.

“We don’t talk about results here,’’ Carlisle said. “We work on the process every day.

“Everybody knows what the goal is. But it’s important, particularly with a new group, that we concentrate on the things that we need to do every day to be successful, and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re not going to get in to thinking into the future and ‘what if’ and that kind of stuff.’’

The Mavs open defense of their NBA title at home at 1:30 Sunday against the Miami Heat. It's the same Heat franchise the Mavs beat in six games to capture last year's NBA championship.

-- Dwain Price

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@dwainprice