[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZFoJ4IE7I]
I want to go on record saying that I have never once doubted Coach Carlisle this season. I like the way he’s carried himself all year. I have no complaints. He makes mistakes like any other coach, but I think he “gets” his team and he is the best man for the job.
Associated Press - Vince Carter racked up 21 points in his Orlando debut and Brandon Bass added seven of his 13 points in the final two minutes to lift the Magic to a 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the preseason opener for both teams on Monday night.
Carter, who was acquired by the Magic in an offseason trade with the Toronto Raptors, scored 15 points in the third quarter. Bass was a key reserve for the Mavericks the past two seasons before signing a four-year free-agent deal with the Magic during the offseason.
Dallas (4-7) 96 at Houston (7-4) 86
Yes, 3 wins in a row is a winning streak. Although the first two may have seemed like gimmes against the Knicks and Bobcats, Dallas traveled to Houston and beat the best team defense on their own court. Sure the Rockets were without Yao Ming and have an ailing Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady (of course) but a win is a win. And a streak is a streak. And like Kevin Costner said in Bull Durham ‘You don’t f*** with a winning streak.’
Dallas (3-7) 100 at Charlotte (3-6) 83
The Mavericks won their second game in a row by overwhelming advantage of talent emphasised by the Bobcats being without Jason Richardson (day-to-day with an ankle injury). Charlotte, without an inside presense, was dominated inside losing the rebounding battle 50 to 34. Erick Dampier played less than 20 mins still pulled down 11 rebounds and had 3 blocks, while Josh Howard put up 21 pts in wonderful play within 17 feet. In a game that Dallas never trailed they were able to manage the tempo well except for one blemish – 17 turnovers. Luckily Charlotte couldn’t advantage and the Mavs coasted to a win.
