Mavericks vs. Lakers: Road Woes Will Continue to Haunt Dallas Against LA
The Dallas Mavericks have had an interesting season, to say the least, and things got even more outrageous earlier this week with the Lamar Odom saga coming to a head. On the court, the defending champions are still trying to figure out how to win on the road.
Unfortunately, they will be going to Los Angeles to take on a Lakers team that dominates opponents at home and has come into its own since the trade deadline.
While the Odom experiment was a failure, the Mavericks can take comfort in knowing he won't be able to burn them in the postseason because he is forbidden from signing with another team until the offseason.
But that situation doesn't begin to solve the problems the Mavericks have right now. They have started to play a little better, thanks in large part to the return of Jason Kidd at the point guard position.
Jeff Caplan of ESPN looked at the difference Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki made in the fourth quarter of the team's game against Golden State on Thursday night.
"Kidd dished six assists, grabbed four rebounds and dropped a 3-pointer during his 10 fourth-quarter minutes. He ended the game at 33 minutes, not what Carlisle would call "inching" up his minutes following Kidd's recent groin injury, but there's no room for missteps with a playoff spot yet to be secured.
"
Still, that was against Golden State. The Lakers are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Andrew Bynum is hitting his stride as we move closer to the postseason. Kobe Bryant, who may not play due to a shin injury, has always been an underrated defender.
The Mavericks don't have enough punch in their offense to hang with the Lakers in Los Angeles. They are just 12-16 on the road this year, which is unacceptable for a team that has championship aspirations.
In fact, the only potential Western Conference playoff teams the Maverick have beaten this year are Houston (No. 7) and Denver (No. 8). They need to figure out their problems fast, or else they will be looking at a quick playoff exit.
Those answers, unfortunately, won't come against the Lakers on Sunday afternoon.
