NBA Southwest Division Report

Published on 13 January 2010 by Anthony in NBA

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Took a little break for the holidays but we’re back! The Southwest remains the league’s most competitive division, being the only division in the league with each team above .500 going into Saturday. The Mavs still lead the division, but the Spurs are making their and it should be an entertaining battle the rest of the season in the division race.

Standings
Dallas 25-11 (3-1)
San Antonio 21-13 (2-2)
Houston 20-16 (0-3)
New Orleans 18-16 (4-0)
Memphis 18-17 (3-1)

Dallas Mavericks (25-11)

Jan 2 @ SAC W 99-91
Jan 3 @ LAL L 131-96
Jan 5 v DET W 98-93
Jan 8 @ SAS W 112-103

After a closer than the score indicates win over the Kings, the Mavs sauntered into the Staples Center and received theie most epic beatdown at the hands of the Lakers, ever. Considering the history between the two teams, that’s saying something. However, the Mavs were able to rebound nicely and pick up a couple of wins to close the week, including a big roadie against the hated Spurs. The Mavs need to keep up this momentum, with a tough home stretch coming up, including a rematch with those Lakers.

Some key numbers:
11: steals against the Kings
35: margin of defeat to Lakers, worst loss to Lakers in Mavs history
26: points for Jason Terry against the Pistons, leading the team in scoring
42: points scored in 4th quarter in win over Spurs

Upcoming games
Jan 9 v Utah
Jan 13 v LAL
Jan 15 v OKC

San Antonio Spurs (21-13)

Jan 2 @ WSH W 97-86
Jan 3 @ TOR L 91-86
Jan 6 v DET W 112-92
Jan 8 V DAL L 112-103

Remember what I said about sleeping on the Spurs? Well, here they are, about a month from the All-Star break, 3 games behind Dallas in the division standings. The Spurs may be having their struggles against teams with winning records, but they are dong what good teams are supposed to do, namely take care of business against the dregs of the league. Once the Spurs start figuring out how to beat the better competition in the league, watch out. That season-ending matchup with the Mavs may have some playoff seeding significance.

Some key numbers:
23: points for Tim Duncan, leading the team, in win over Wizards
2: games Duncan hasn’t started out of 929 after not starting against the Raptors
58.1: shooting percentage in win over Pistons
42: points given up to Mavs in 4th quarter, a season-high for a quarter

Upcoming games
Jan 10 v NJN
Jan 12 v LAL
Jan 13 @ OKC
Jan 15 @ CHA

Houston Rockets (20-16)

Jan 2 @ NOH L 99-95
Jan 5 @ LAL L 88-79
Jan 6 @ PHX L 118-110

Oh, dear. The Rockets told Tracy McGrady to take his pleas for more playing time and go home. While the Rox didn’t seem to skip a beat initially after the decision was made, suddenly, the Rockets take a 3-game losing streak into the weekend. I’m not saying McGrady, whom the Rox are actively looking to trade, would be of much help. What I am saying is they better figure this out and soon, because the Rox (currently #7 in the West) could be on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs are concerned with another couple of losses.

Some key numbers:
19: turnovers in loss to Hornets
79: season-low in points scored in loss to Lakers
34: career-high in points for Aaron Brooks in loss to Suns

Upcoming games
Jan 9 v NYK
Jan 12 @ CHA
Jan 13 v MIN
Jan 15 v MIA

New Orleans Hornets (18-16)

Jan 2 v HOU W 99-95
Jan 4 @ Utah W 91-87
Jan 6 @ OKC W 97-92
Jan 8 v NJN W 103-99

The Hornets seem to be figuring things out nicely in the last few weeks since Chris Paul returned from injury. Paul looking more and more healthy with each game help. Emeka Okafor playing the role of Tyson Chandler on those Paul alley-oops helps too. New Orleans is currently riding a 5-game win streak and with a relatively weak schedule for their next week of games, it’s not inconceivable to assume the Hornets putting some pressure on the Rockets in the standings.

Some key numbers:
14: double-doubles on the season for Emeka Okafor, after posting 14 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in win over Rockets
30: career-high in points for Devin Brown in win over Jazz
11: points allowed in 4th quarter in win over Thunder
18: assists for Chris Paul in win over Nets

Upcoming games
Jan 10 @ WSH
Jan 11 @ PHI
Jan 13 v LAC
Jan 15 @ DET

Memphis Grizzlies (18-17)

Jan 2 @ PHX W 128-103
Jan 5 @ POR W 109-105
Jan 6 @ Utah L 117-94
Jan 8 v Utah W 91-89

Raise your hand if you thought the Grizz would be over .500 at this point of the season. One of the real surprises of the season, especially after the Allen Iverson fiasco, Memphis is just 1 game back of the final playoff spot in the West. Zach Randolph has been a walking double-double (20.5 points, 11.5 rebounds this season), Mike Conley is coming into his own at the point, while OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay are capable of lighting it up each night. I really like this team and wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the playoffs. Beware the Grizz.

Some key numbers:
9: season-low in turnovers in win over Suns
4: consecutive victories after win over Blazers, putting the Grizzlies over .500 for the first time since late in the 2005-2006 season
22: points for Sam Young in loss to Jazz, tying a career-high
11: consecutive losses to Jazz before win at home over Utah

Upcoming games
Jan 9 @ CHA
Jan 12 v LAC
Jan 15 v MIN

Sources: mavs.com, rockets.com, spurs.com, hornets.com, grizzlies.com, sports.yahoo.com/nba

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