Dallas Mavericks (101) @ Portland Trail Blazers (104)
Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Tuesday, March 29. Fans can select between the following games:
Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Houston Rockets @ New Jersey Nets
Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings
***CLIP OF THE DAY***
(click on link below to watch)
Kevin McHale on the Lakers Gaining Momentum Heading Towards the Playoffs
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AutoTrader.com Pre-Game Show
Rick Kamla, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber
Webber on the Dallas Mavericks: “I’m going back to what I said in the beginning of the year. I believe in Dallas and I’ve never believed in Dallas – never. I love what (Head Coach Rick) Carlisle has done with this team. I still say if they had Caron Butler they would be #1 in the West. This is a really good team.”
McHale on the Dallas Mavericks using Carlisle’s statement about being soft as motivation: “I liked the fact that when the Dallas Mavericks were called soft, they didn’t come out and pout. They went out and said ‘take some of this, coach.’ I like it. At this time of year, you fight everyone, the referee, the coaches, the ball boys; it’s time to get it on.”
Webber believing in the Dallas Mavericks because of center Tyson Chandler: “Definitely because of Tyson Chandler. He is an MVP candidate to me. I know that is crazy but MVP doesn’t mean most valuable player it means the player that changes your team. I think the resilience of that team, the new coach and Tyson Chandler has made me believe in that team.”
McHale on Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge’s improvement from last year: “(Brandon) Roy got hurt and someone had to step up for the Blazers and he accepted that challenge. He has been playing great, his ability to shoot the ball on slower big guys and then go inside with his new found little jump hook over the shoulder…his game has really filled out.”
Webber on the Portland Trail Blazers: “I say right now that I think these guys are going to be the ones to upset someone in the Playoffs.”
Webber on the similarities of forwards Dirk Nowitzki and LaMarcus Aldridge: Both of these guys are great from the field and they have great shot selection, which means their teammates can trust them.”
Webber on how today in the NBA a player’s ability means more than their height: “Hakeem (Olajuwon) dominated the post at 6’10. Here if you have a guy (Dirk Nowitzki) dominating that is just as tall. Usually they would say, if you are this tall, go over here. Now in basketball, they say if you have a handle, go over here. If you have all of it go over here. I’m glad these guys are changing the game. Nowadays, you can’t just play by position; you play by who has game.”
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T-Mobile Halftime Report
Kamla, McHale and Webber
McHale on the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks: “These are two teams that know how to play basketball and they play really well together.”
Webber on the execution of the Trail Blazers and Mavericks: “When you talk about playing together that starts with teamwork. Offensively and defensively these guys are making an effort. You really love seeing that. Teamwork is the way to go. I love watching these guys execute. It is really fun for me to watch both of these teams to be into it.”
Webber on Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge: “Aldridge has to be their bread and butter (with an injured Brandon Roy). He can shoot, he stays around the paint; he knows how to stay involved. He’s the main man on this team and his demeanor allows him to be the man. I really like how he is playing and this team has come together.”
McHale on Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose: “Derrick Rose is my MVP of the year. That guy is amazing.”
Greg Anthony joins the NBA TV Fan Night Crew to talk NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament
Anthony on the Dallas Mavericks: “I expect the Dallas Mavericks to be in the Conference Finals against the Lakers (depending on how the seeding breaks down.) I’m a big fan of San Antonio and what they have done but I don’t think their ceiling is quite as high when they (the Mavericks) are playing their best.”
Anthony on the expanded tournament: “It is going to be interesting to see how the tournament lays out. For me personally, I’m excited that we went to 68 (teams).”
Anthony on what team reminds him of his 1991 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels: “Duke to me has always been a terrific defensive team. I say this all time, I think (Duke head coach) Mike Krzyzewski is the greatest coach of all time. He gets more with often times less.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Kamla, McHale and Webber
Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy joined the Fan Night crew via Arena Link
Roy on the team chemistry of the Trail Blazers: “We’re such a close team. I think we feel like we can beat just about anybody in this league when we’re playing together, but we also have those nights where we’re maybe a little bit inconsistent. That’s something we’ve got to work on down the stretch. If we play together, we can win on the road in Miami and we can beat really good teams like Dallas, but we have to be more consistent. I think that’s something our coaches keep trying to put into our heads. We’ve got to be more and more consistent. This is the time of year where we’ve got to get better and I thought we did a good job tonight, but it’s time to bounce back tomorrow and get ready for Cleveland.”
Roy on dealing with injuries and not being able to play: “It’s tough sitting out 30 games in the middle of a season where we’re in a tight race. My biggest thing was that I just tried to focus on getting better. I tried to rehab every day, support my teammates and when my opportunities come, I just try to make the most of them. I’ve had some down moments this season, especially having two surgeries on both knees; I didn’t know where I was going. But the biggest thing I tried to do was stay focused on my rehab, keep trying to get better and not listen to what people were saying.”
Webber on the spirit of the Trail Blazers: “I think (the Trail Blazers) are a great example of resilience. Just look at what they’ve been through. (They have) no excuses, keep playing hard and they’re fun to watch.”
Webber on the Trail Blazers’ potential in the playoffs: “I believe in the Mavericks, but I’m going to stick to the upset in the playoffs in the West (Conference) in the first round or in any round. If there are upsets, they’re by Portland. They have great home court advantage and I know what home court advantage can do for you.”
Webber on the Knicks playing more as a team and less as individuals: “When (the Knicks) play good teams, they come (playing) team ball. When they don’t play really good teams, they really don’t score that well because they try to do it all themselves, which is something that I know (head coach Mike) D’Antoni is going to work on. In the playoffs, if you’re not playing team ball, you will get swept and you’ll be out of there really quickly.”
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