Hornets-Mavericks Game 1 Recap: Dallas Still Can't Close

The Dallas Mavericks won't sweep the New Orleans Hornets as I proposed earlier.

Tonight in New Orleans, the Mavericks played like they've played both of their last two playoff series.  They can't close the deal.

Very Brief Recap

After rolling with good shooting in the first half, the Mavs lost their 52-40 half-time advantage in torrid third quarter by the Hornets, in which New Orleans pushed to a 76-72 lead.  Dallas stood no chance late with Dirk Nowitzki scoring only four points in the fourth quarter.

Brief Analysis and Observations

• When I wrote my article the other day, I forgot a couple of things: 
• Josh Howard is playing some of his worst basketball.  I can't stand to watch him fumble the ball around when he's trying to dribble.
• Jerry Stackhouse isn't healthy.
• The Mavs are the streakiest shooting team in the league.
• Avery Johnson always falls for the reverse psychology trick, but just like the guy who you know will always bluff on the flop early and fold later in the night, he falls for his own mind trick.  Apparently he left his Chris Paul defensive game plan back in Dallas.
• It was only time before the Hornets made a comeback.  Peja Stojakovic and David West got so many open looks early while the Mavs were trying to "force Chris Paul to be a scorer", even when they were missing:  A) you knew they'd start hitting those and B) Tyson Chandler and Co. were getting every offensive board.  They whipped Dallas' rear tonight.
• Why are the Mavs paying Erick Dampier?  Dirk led with 2 blocked shots tonight, making Damp the most expensive non-shot blocking help defender outside of Madison Square Garden.

The Mavericks aren't dead, and the Hornets aren't scared.  Well at least I'm sure about the second half of that statement.