Mavericks Run Around and Through Lakers, 93-81

This team likes to defy critics. Maybe they're trying to make up for all the years that they were the favorite. It was too much pressure for them to handle. Maybe all the Mavericks needed were competent centers, and a lower seed, no expectations.

 

It would have been understandable if the Mavericks had gone into their game Wednesday night with a kind of complacency. They had won the first game of the series, in Los Angeles, against the defending champions, and winning two could have been seen as greedy. JJ turning into a tall black man greedy. JJ turning into an ice cream dispenser greedy. Thankfully, the Mavs played with a little greed, and pulled out an improbable win over the Lakers, 93-81.

 

Dallas looked like the aggressors for a majority of the game, even when the score was tied. Everyone worked hard on offense, but Dirk worked noticeably harder while setting picks that freed his teammates and himself for better shots. The Lakers fought back at the end, but it was too late. Dallas stunned Kobe and company while wresting a 2-0 series lead before going home. Game 3 is in Dallas on Friday. It had better be loud.

 

 

 

 

Positives

 

Holy shit, the Mavericks have a 2-0 lead on the Lakers. If you thought this was coming, you're a damn liar.

 

Dirk was magnificient while he dominated the ball in the first half. He finished the game with 24 points, and 7 rebounds. It can't be understated what he means to this team. When he's leading them, it's a good feeling.

 

The Lakers missed a bunch of three pointers. A lot of that was luck as several of them were wide open looks, but they all count the same, which is to say that they don't count at all.

 

I can taste the sadness of the Lakers - strawberryish. Maybe it's different for you.

 

Marion almost registered a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds, Stevenson made some huge threes, and

 

JJ Barea played like a world beater, or at least a Miss Universe dater. He was big at the end of the game with a couple of clutch layups.

 

We won't have to look at Ron Artest's ugly face next game?

 

Negatives

The series isn't over yet. It's easy to forget after winning two in Los Angeles, but it's far from over.

It's a celebration, bitches! No more negatives.