By Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Shootaround Report: Mavericks (19-11) at 76ers (20-10)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Whether it’s meant guarding a 6-10 forward and two-time scoring champion in Kevin Durant or Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson, Marion has taken on all challengers at the defensive end of the floor. The result has been more versatility for Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and his team on defense, allowing the starting backcourt of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter to match up with players off the ball.
“It’s hard, it ain’t easy,” Marion said in regard to defending multiple positions. “I guess the mentality you’ve gotta have is you’ve gotta want to do it and take the challenge of doing it. You know, I like challenges and I pride myself on taking guys out of doing what they’re used to doing. And I just go out there and compete. You always have to give yourself something to keep that edge. Whatever it takes to get you going, to get that edge over another guy or to get your team going, that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Wednesday night, Marion’s defensive prowess was on full display when he scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out a season-high six assists but more impressively held Lawson to just three points on 1-of-8 shooting. The four-time All-Star’s versatility may again be counted upon Friday night as the shorthanded Mavericks try to extend a five-game winning streak, taking the court at the Wells Fargo Center against the Philadelphia 76ers without three contributors in the backcourt.
The Mavs will again be without the services of guards Jason Terry and Rodrigue Beaubois as both are away from the team due to personal reasons. The reigning champs also await word on how long they’ll be without newcomer Delonte West, who fractured his right ring finger in the first half of a 102-84 victory over the Nuggets. And facing a Philly team that averages just 10.5 giveaways a game and is on pace to commit the fewest turnovers since the statistic began being recorded in 1977-78, Carlisle admits that his team will have a daunting task at hand if it is going to notch a sixth straight victory.
Still, with Marion leading the defensive charge, the coach fully expects for the Mavs not be slowed by their depleted roster.
“These guys are the lowest turnover team in the modern era, in terms of efficiency for 48 minutes night after night. They just don’t turn it over,” Carlisle explained. “They’ve got a plus-four differential of turnovers to not turning it over, which is phenomenal. So, they don’t beat themselves. They shoot the three well, they’ve got an inside game, they’ve got facilitators at the end of games with [Lou] Williams and [Andre] Iguodala that can make plays and they’re extremely well-coached.
“We’re just gonna have to adjust. Our game will be a different looking game, our rotation is gonna look different, but the foundation has got to be the same. It’s gotta be defense, rebounding and efficiency with the ball that gets us through and those are our three major points of emphasis heading into tonight.”
Note: Riding a five-game winning streak, the Mavs return to action Friday night when they travel to meet the Philadelphia 76ers to start a two-game road trip. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest and nationally on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT.
The Mavs return to the American Airlines Center next Monday night when they host the Boston Celtics. Dallas leads the season series 1-0 after a 90-85 win in Boston on Jan. 11. That game will air nationally on TNT at 7 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to arrive early due to the early tipoff. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).
Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.
