Over the past few seasons, the Dallas Mavericks have been historically slow starters.
In 2006, they dropped their first four before going 67-11 to finish the season. In 2008, the Mavs started out 2-7, and ended up a six seed only by good fortune on the last day of the season.
This year, after dropping the opener, the Mavericks have kept up a torrid pace. They dropped two roadies—an OT battle to the Hornets (with Dirk Nowizki having fouled out in the fourth), and a game against the nicked-up Spurs.
The Mavs are currently 10-3. Not a bad way to start the season, especially since Maverick teams of late have had trouble putting away bad teams.
Last season, a single game separated the number two through five seeds in the Western Conference. Let that sink in. A single game. A single game meant the difference between home court advantage in the first round and beyond, to no home court advantage.
The Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trailblazers all finished with 54-28 records, while the Houston Rockets finished at 53-29.
You think the Rockets weren't regretting the game-winning tip-in by Danny Gran ...
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Article written by Alex McVeigh
For Dallas Mavericks, Strong Starts are Paving the Way for Strong Finishes
November 22nd, 2009 by Alex McVeigh Leave a reply »
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