DALLAS -- Just because the Golden State Warriors played and lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 99-93, on Friday night, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle doesn't believe that gives his team a distinct advantage when they face the Warriors tonight at 7:30 at American Airlines Center.
"They're very, very good and they always bring it,'' Carlisle told three reporters after this morning's shoot around. "The other thing about them statistically, a lot of teams have big dropoffs on (the second game of) back-to-backs.
"These guys actually have better stats in a lot of areas on back-to-backs, which shows what great condition they're in and how tough-minded they are.''
The Warriors are 2-0 against the Mavs this season. If they beat Dallas tonight it would be the first time the Warriors have swept the Mavs in a season-series since the 2006-'07 campaign.
"They're a very strong team -- I don't know that there's any particular weakness that they have,'' Carlisle said. "They're on a tough road stretch, so we've got to attack them and keep our tempo where we need it, but they're strong in all areas.''
Warriors forward David Lee was named to next week's All-Star game, but guard Stephen Curry didn't make it, although Carlisle said he voted for him.
"Curry is a great player, Lee is an All-Star, their role guys all fit in, they're all
tough and physical,'' Carlisle said. "The game's going to come down to the usual things -- it's
going to be ball security and rebounding.
"I really believe that, because those are possessions of the ball. We're going to have to really scramble in this game to make it tough for Curry to get shots and for Lee to get his mid-range
shots and his tip-ins.''
Carlisle tipped his hat to Warriors coach Mark Jackson, whose team is sixth in the Western Conference with a 30-20 record.
"Mark Jackson,he would be Coach of the Year right night now because they're the most improved
team in the league record-wise,'' Carlisle said. "They're atypical for a lot of NBA teams.''
-- Dwain Price
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@dwainprice
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