Author: John Paulsen (Page 878 of 937)

And deservedly so.

The “Little General” managed to transform the offensively-minded Mavericks into a capable defensive team, which resulted in a franchise best-tying 60-22 record. Over the course of the regular season, Dallas was 7th in the league in points allowed (93.1), 10th in FG% allowed (.443) and 4th in blocks (5.95).

Johnson’s focus on defense guided the Mavericks to the third-best point differential in the league, as they posted 99.1 points per game while holding opponents to a franchise-low 93.1 points. This year marked only the seventh time in the franchise’s 26 years that the Mavericks held opponents under 100 points per game. After being outrebounded last season, they tallied 3.9 more rebounds per game than their opponents this season (3rd best in the league), pulling down 42.2 boards per game and holding opponents to 38.3.

Johnson was the clear choice. He received 419 points in the survey of sportswriters and broadcasters, while last year’s winner, Mike D’Antoni was next best with 247 points.

The Bucks/Pistons, Grizzlies/Mavs and Lakers/Suns play tonight. Here’s what happened last night:

Washington 89, Cleveland 84 (series tied, 1-1)
On the heels of his triple double in Game 1, much was expected of LeBron James in Game 2, and the King just didn’t deliver. He did go for 26 points and nine boards, but turned the ball over TEN times and shot a miserable 7 of 25 (28%) from the field. His biggest mistake, however, occurred with his team down five with 1:35 remaining. Eric Snow had just made a great play to force a jump ball and actually beat Antonio Daniels for the tip. LeBron went after the ball lackadaisically at first, ultimately throwing it directly to Gilbert Arenas for an easy layup. What’s worse, Arenas got fouled, and he put the Wizards up eight, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Cavs wasted a great game from Drew Gooden, who is one of the league’s most underrated power forwards. He went 11 for 12 from the field, scoring 24 while grabbing 16 rebounds. Washington’s “Big 3” went for 72 points on 46% shooting, yet the Cavs still could have won the game.

New Jersey 90, Indiana 75 (series tied, 1-1)
Vince Carter shrugged off criticism of his shot selection in Game 1 to drop 33 points on 12 of 20 shooting in Game 2, leading the Nets over the Pacers in a “must-win” game. Jason Kidd only scored six points, but dished out 13 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds to tally an unlikely double-double. Five Pacers scored in double figures, but the team shot only 35% from the field, and that marksmanship isn’t going to win very many games. Still, the Pacers have to feel good about going home with the series tied.

San Antonio 128, Sacramento 119 (OT) (Spurs, 2-0)
The Kings should have won this game. They were leading by three with four seconds to play when Manu Ginobili drove the lane and found an open Brent Barry behind the arc. Barry’s shot caught all rim, bounced up in the air, and went through the hoop, forcing an overtime, which the Spurs dominated. Mike Bibby made a rookie mistake of drifting too far towards the basket when, with his team down three, he should have been standing right next to Barry. Who cares if Ginobili is driving to the basket? When you are up three, stay on your man! The win would have been huge for the Kings, especially considering the absence of Ron Artest, who was serving a one game suspension for an elbow he delivered to the head of Ginobili in Game 1. Bibby’s mistake is of the series-changing variety, and the Kings have to win both games in Sacramento to have a chance of advancing.

Washington/Cleveland, Indiana/New Jersey and Sacramento/San Antonio play tonight.

Miami 115, Chicago 108 (Miami leads the series, 2-0)
Take a look at this line from Dwayne Wade: 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks. With the Heat’s lead cut to four with just over a minute remaining, Wade put the game out of reach with a spinning jumper in the lane. Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Williams each added 22 points, while Antoine Walker added 17/10 filling in for the suspended Udonis Haslem. The problem with the Bulls is that they just don’t have anyone that can score inside. Andres Nocioni went for 30 on a phenomenal 13-15 shooting, while Kirk Hinrich tallied 29 points, seven assists and four rebounds. With the Heat missing Haslem and Alonzo Mourning, the Bulls really needed this game, and their playoff chances are now looking pretty grim.

LA Clippers 98, Denver 87 (Clippers, 2-0)
The Heat and Bulls score 223 while the Clippers and Nuggets only go for 185 – what’s going on here? Isn’t the East supposed to be the conference where teams walk the ball up and grind out possessions, while the West is supposed to be the free-wheeling, high-flying conference? Then again, the Clippers have a great team, so this is an unusual year. Once again, LA put the clamps on Denver, limiting Carmelo Anthony to 16 points on 5-15 shooting. So far, Anthony is shooting just 34% in the series. Elton Brand has his usual double-double (19/11), while Cuttino Mobley led six Clippers in double-digit scoring with 21. Sam Cassell didn’t shoot the ball particularly well (4-15) but he dished out 11 assists in the victory. Game 3 will be very telling for the Nuggets, who just look outmatched right now.

Ron Artest’s prediction that his team will win the NBA championship took a hit today as the forward was suspended by the league for a forearm he threw to the head of Manu Ginobili. He will miss Tuesday’s Game 2 of the series.

Game 3 should be interesting. I suspect the Kings will be down 0-2, and we’ll either get a superhuman effort from Artest in a Kings’ victory or maybe it will be time for a meltdown.

Miami’s Udonis Haslem was also suspended one game for throwing his mouthpiece at an official after a no-call.