DALLAS – As he reads the pulse of the Dallas Mavericks, guard Jason Terry believes he and his
teammates are ready to make a hard run towards winning the Southwest Division title.
The Mavs (25-20) are five-and-a-half games behind San Antonio (29-13) for the divisional lead. And the Spurs are at American Airlines Center at 8 tonight for a matchup which could serve as a telltale sign about where exactly are the Mavs at this juncture of the season.
“Right now if we just take care of our own business, we’ll be in a good position in the playoffs,’’ Terry said. “Just watching guys body language and seeing how we’ve come to prepare this week being back at home, we look refreshed and guys look ready.’’
The Mavs better be ready, because the Spurs sure are. The Spurs are fresh off Friday’s 114-105 win in Oklahoma City, and are looking like the best team in the entire NBA at this point.
Tim Duncan is playing like – even at age 35 – that he’s found the fountain of youth. And the Spurs continue to pound teams into submission with a bevy of shots from the three-point line.
“It’s the key to victory tonight,’’ Terry said, of limiting the Spurs’ shots from three-point land. “We cannot allow them to outshoot us from the 3.
“As you saw the last time we played them, we’re up 20 and they stayed in the game because of the 3-point shot.’’
In addition to Duncan, the Mavs will have to contend with Manu Ginobili, who sat out the game against the Thunder. Plus, Stephen Jackson, who the Spurs acquired in a trade with Golden State on Thursday, is in the building and may play tonight.
“They’re playing very well right now,’’ Terry said of the Spurs. “They made a move at the deadline that gave them some more toughness and scoring power (in Stephen Jackson).
“Whether he plays tonight or not, we’ll be ready.’’
-- Dwain Price
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@dwainprice
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