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November 24, 2006
The Battle of Texas
Mavericks riding high into San Antonio
The Spurs and Mavericks match up for the second game in their season series on Friday night in San Antonio. San Antonio stands atop the Southwest Division with a 10-2 record. The Mavericks struggled early, losing their first four games, but have come on strong, winning their last seven. They thumped the Wizards 107-80 on Tuesday night in Washington. The Spurs extended their perfect road record to 6-0 with a 106-86 pounding of the Heat in Miami.
San Antonio is a 5.5-point favorite at BetJamaica and the posted total is 186.5. Dallas is 6-5 ATS overall and 4-2 ATS on the road. San Antonio is 8-4 ATS overall and 2-4 ATS at home. In their first season matchup, the 97-91 San Antonio win, the Spurs were a 2.5-point underdog and the combined score was OVER the posted total of 182.
In their season opener in Dallas, the Spurs witnessed the reigning Western Conference champions hoist their banner to the rafters. San Antonio promptly trotted out their revenge in the form of a 97-91 beating. The Spurs outscored Dallas by 12 in the second half after being down by six at half. Tony Parker was nursing a sprained ankle but came up with 19 points and Manu Ginobili added 16 points and five rebounds; four other Spurs scored in double figures. For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard contributed 21 and 20 points respectively but their supporting cast was not quite as effective. San Antonio’s shooting was the decisive factor in that game; they shot 49 percent from the floor to Dallas’ 43 percent.
Each team has a couple of new faces. The Mavericks have rejuvenated their frontline with Austin Croshere who will provide scoring punch and aggressive rebounding off the bench. Dallas has solidified its backcourt with pickups Anthony Johnson and Greg Buckner. San Antonio has a new center in Fabricio Oberto, giving the Spurs even more international flair alongside Ginobili and Parker.
Dirk Nowitzki has been the major factor in Dallas’ current unbeaten streak. He won the Eastern Conference player of the week honors, guiding Dallas to a 3-0 week. He recorded a double-double in all three games last week. Nowitzki averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds last week. Josh Howard is questionable with an ankle sprain but Jason Terry’s 17.6 ppg and Jerry Stackhouse’s 13.6 ppg should help fill the gap.
San Antonio’s big three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have led a fine supporting cast so far. Brent Barry, Michael Finley and Robert Horry are chipping in off the bench. Bruce Bowen’s defense is always frustrating and Fabricio Uberto is contributing 6.6 points and 5.3 boards a game.
The latest chapter in the Battle of Texas promises to be full of run and gun and lots of bench support. Look for the Spurs to win a close one at home on Friday night.
25038 - Copyright 2006, BetJamaica.com, The Player's Paradise
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