Not much change in the standings as the Mavs continue to lead the division while the Rockets overtook the Spurs for 2nd place.

Standings

Dallas 14-6 (2-2)
Houston 11-8 (3-0)
San Antonio 9-7 (1-1)
New Orleans 8-11 (1-2)
Memphis 8-12 (2-2)

Dallas Mavericks (14-6)

Nov 28 @ CLE L 111-95
Nov 30 v PHI W 104-102
Dec 2 @ NJN W 117-101
Dec 4 @ MEM L 98-82

A rather lackluster week for the Mavs, the highlight of which may be avoiding being the first team to lose to the Nets this season (congrats Bobcats!). What’s been missing the last few games that was seen with regularity earlier in the season is the bench production. That, along with the Mavs seeming to be playing to the level of their competition (or, as was seen in the game against the Cavs, not so much) has the team in a rather treacherous spot as they prepare to league 3 of the league’s best this week.

Some key numbers:
18: largest lead hed by Cavs against Mavs
8: games missed by Erick Dampier before returning to the lineup against the 76ers
81: Mavs shooting percentage in 1st half against the Nets, a new franchise high
0: number of free throws attempted by the Mavs in the 2nd half against the Grizzlies

Upcoming games
Dec 5 v ATL
Dec 8 v PHX
Dec 11 @ MIA

Houston Rockets (11-8)

Nov 29 @ OKC W 100-91
Dec 2 @ LAC W 102-85
Dec 3 @ GSW W 111-109

The Rockets took advantage of some lesser quality opponents to sweep their 3 games of the week. It’s rumored that Tracy McGrady is closer to returning, but I don’t think they should bring him back. Houston is getting a lot of production from the cast they have now and adding to it would only mess with the chemistry.

Some key numbers:
12: consecutive victories over the Thunder after Sunday’s win
29: bench scoring advantage for the Rockets against the Clippers (46-17)
13: blocked shots against the Warriors, a season high

Upcoming games
Dec 5 @ POR
Dec 9 v CLE
Dec 11 @ PHI

San Antonio Spurs (9-7)

Nov 29 v PHI W 97-89
Dec 3 v BOS L 90-83

Is the end nigh for the Spurs? Their 3 best players have injury issues, their offseason acquisitions have yet to make a consistent impact and the Western Conference is as strong as it’s been for some time. Until they go on the Rodeo Trip that seems to bring things together, the Spurs hae some work to do.

Some key numbers:
1: more points scored by the Spurs bench than the starters in the win against the 76ers (49-48)
18: offensive rebounding advantage for the Spurs against the Celtics

Upcoming games
Dec 5 v DEN
Dec 7 @ UTAH
Dec 9 v SAC
Dec 11 v CHA

New Orleans Hornets (8-11)

Nov 29 @ SAC L 112-96
Dec 1 @ LAL L 110-99
Dec 4 @ MIN W 98-89

Chris Paul is back! Will his presence be enough to lift this team out of its current funk? Darren Collison filled in admirably for Paul, but there is no denying Paul’s impact when he is on the floor

Some key numbers:
4: games won minus Chris Paul in 8 tries
13: points scored by Emeka Okafor in 3rd quarter of loss to Kings
19: percentage of 3-pointers made by the Hornets against the Lakers
38: minutes played by Chris Paul against the Timberwolves in his 1st game back from a sprained ankle

Upcoming games
Dec 8 v SAC
Dec 9 @ MIN
Dec 11 v NYK

Memphis Grizzlies (8-12)

Nov 29 @ LAC L 98-88
Nov 30 @ UTAH L 120-93
Dec 2 @ MIN W 97-95
Dec 4 V DAL W 98-82

The Grizz look like your typical young team with oodles of talent: inexperienced enough to lose to the likes of the Clippers on the road but dangerous enough to beat the division-leading Mavericks at home. This team has shown improvement since Allen Iverson was shown the door, but is still going through the growing pains every young team goes through. Assuming the main players for the Grizz stay together, this team will be a force to be reckoned with sooner rather than later.

Some key numbers:
15: lead held by the Grizzlies entering the 4th quarter against the Clippers
30: rebounds for the Grizzlies against the Jazz, tying a season low
3: road wins on the season, following the win over the Timberwolves
3: consecutive home wins for the Grizzlies over the Mavs, after last winning at home in the series in 2004

Upcoming games
Dec 8 v CLE
Dec 11 v OKC

Sources: nba.com, mavs.com, rockets.com, spurs.com, hornets.com, grizzlies.com

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