Wizards unleash first-quarter flurry Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Mavericks fall victim to fast-paced tempo they use on other teams
The Mavericks have blistered opponents in the first quarter since the day after Thanksgiving.
The team got to see how the other half lives Monday.
Washington was the aggressor in the first quarter at the Verizon Center as it ended the Mavericks 12-game winning streak. The Wizards jumped to a 31-23 lead to set the tone.
Talk about role reversal. The Mavericks had averaged 36.2 points in the first quarter of their previous five games. The team's average lead entering the second quarter of those games was slightly more than 15 points.
"They did what we had been doing," Mavericks forward Josh Howard said. "They just came out and played great ball."
The Mavericks fell behind by 31 points in the third quarter before a late run made the final score respectable.
"We had to play from behind tonight," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "We just waited too long."
Welcome back: Jerry Stackhouse spent two years in Washington before he was traded to the Mavericks.
The fans remembered. The Mavericks guard was greeted with a smattering of boos every time he touched the ball Monday.
"I don't know," Stackhouse said. "They've got to be the most. ...
"I don't even think they know why they're booing me. I don't play here any more, so I guess that's what they do."
Stackhouse was quick to point out that Monday was the first time he has lost to the Wizards since he was traded. He's 5-1. And he took solace in the fact that at least 40 of the 14,891 in attendance didn't boo him. That's how many tickets he distributed for the game.
"I think they were on my side," Stackhouse said.
Hard to hold: The players aren't the only people complaining about the new ball. At least one former player is as well.
Brad Davis works with the Mavericks in practice before he takes his spot on the radio broadcast. He rebounds for the players, throws them entry passes and has them defend him off the dribble.
The result: His fingers are cut in three places because of the ball. Davis said because the ball doesn't spin in your hand like the leather version, it's more abrasive, especially in cold-weather climates.
"I'm applying for workman's comp tomorrow," Davis joked.
Briefly: Center D.J. Mbenga was active for the first time this season and had two points and one rebound in eight minutes. "Physically, everything is fine," said Mbenga, who had been out with a strained tendon in his left foot. "I've just got to practice some more and get that feeling." ... Rookie Moe Ager, who sprained his right ankle in Friday's victory over Sacramento, was inactive against the Wizards for the first time this season. "He got an ankle sprain and shot it all on the same possession," Avery Johnson said.
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 11:04 AM,
