NBA Southwest Division Report: Nov. 20th

In this space each week will be a report on the goings on in the NBA’s Southwest Division.

Standings W-L

Dallas 10-3
Houston 7-6
San Antonio 4-6
New Orleans 5-8
Memphis 4-8

Dallas Mavericks (10-3)

Nov 15 @ DET W 95-90
Nov 16 @ MIL W 115-113 OT
Nov 18 v SAS W 99-94 OT
Nov 20 V SAC W 104-102

The Mavs wrapped up an unbeaten week with a not as close as it looked 104-102 win against a young, scrappy Kings squad. The win put Dallas in a tie with the Phoenix Suns for the best record in the Western Conference going into the weekend. The win was the Mavs’ 5th in a row, matching their longest win streak from last season.

Some key numbers:

14: career 40+ point games for Dirk Nowitzki, after a 41 point effort in the win over the Spurs
1: point needed for a Jason Kidd triple-double against the Bucks (9 points, 10 rebounds, 17 assists). Kidd has 103 t-d’s for his career.
3: number of double-doubles for Drew Gooden this week (was one point away from a 4th against the Kings)
25: points allowed to Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings in his first game after his 55 point outburst against the Warriors
0: points scored by Tim Duncan in the overtime period of the Spurs loss to the Mavs.
1: number field goals made by the Pistons’ Ben Gordon in loss to the Mavs (in 16 attempts)
3: rebounds needed for a triple-double by Kings rookie point guard Tyreke Evans in loss to Mavs (29 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists)

Highlight of the Week:

Isn’t it obvious?
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pphZxPiCfk]

Upcoming games:

Nov 24 v GSW
Nov 25 @ HOU
Nov 27 @ IND

Houston Rockets (7-6)

Nov 15 @ LAL W 101-91
Nov 17 v PHX L 111-105
Nov 18 @ MIN W 97-84
Nov 20 @ ATL L 105-103

The Rockets wrapped up a yo-yo week with a last-second loss to the current Beast of the East, Atlanta Hawks. The rumors of Tracy McGrady returning to the lineup this week didn’t materialize, which is beginning to cause some tension between player and coach. The question that must be asked is: do the Rockets really need him back?

Some key numbers:

33: points scored by Aaron Brooks against the Lakers
12: number of 3-pointers made against the Timberwolves, matching a season-high
15: number of points the Rockets led the Suns by in the first half before losing by 5
52: points scored in the paint against the Hawks

Highlight of the Weak:

Yeah they lost, but it’s still an awesome play.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QaFkTByVmg]

Upcoming games:

Nov 21 v SAC
Nov 25 V DAL
Nov 27 v SAS

San Antonio Spurs (4-6)

Nov 14 v OKC L 101-98
Nov 18 @ DAL L 99-94 OT
Nov 19 v UTAH L 90-83

Rough week for the Spurs, as they end the week on a 3-game losing streak. Injuries have simply wreaked havoc on this team as Tony Parker (ankle) and Manu Ginobili (groin) have not been able to stay healthy. This has put most of the burden on Tim Duncan and while he seems to be up for the challenge, his body is starting to fail him as well (notice the giant knee brace he wears each game).

Some key numbers:

12: games the Spurs are in the midst of playing in the state of Texas, which began with the Raptors on November 9th. The Spurs won’t leave the state for a game until a road trip to Utah on December 7th.
20: consecutive wins the Spurs had against the Jazz in San Antonio until Thursday night
7:28: amount of time Manu Ginobili played against the Mavericks before leaving with a groin injury
10: shots blocked by Thunder players, a season high in blocked shots allowed

Highlight(s) of the Weak:

Not to kick a wounded dog while its down, but…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRi6RdbB6M8

Upcoming games:

Nov 21 v WSH
Nov 23 v MIL
Nov 25 v GSW
Nov 27 @ HOU

New Orleans Hornets (5-8)

Nov 14 @ ATL L 121-98
Nov 17 v LAC W 110-102
Nov 19 v PHX W 110-103

No Chris Paul, no problem? Doesn’t seem so as the Hornets have won 2 in a row after getting smacked around by the Hawks (who hasn’t that happened to lately?). New Orleans is 2-2 since the firing of Byron Scott and look to be pulling things together until Paul is able to return.

Some key numbers:

70: points in the paint allowed to the Hawks
24: points scored by David West against the Clippers
7: 3-pointers made by Peja Stojakovic in win over the Suns

Highlight of the Week:

Umm…hey the Hornets have new Mardi Gras uniforms for this season!

Upcoming games

Nov 21 v ATL
Nov 22 @ MIA
Nov 25 v MIL

Memphis Grizzlies (4-8)

Nov 14 v MIN W 97-87
Nov 18 v LAC W 106-91
Nov 20 @ PHI W 102-97

Well lookie here, a winning week for the Grizz! Yeah, they beat the Wolves, Clippers and Sixers but Memphis will take the wins when they can get them. Maybe getting rid of AI was The Answer.

Some key numbers:

7: consecutive losses before win in Minnesota
31: points scored by Grizz bench in win over Clippers, a season high
20: rebounding advantage for Grizz over Sixers