Western Conference Surprises

While everybody is anticipating another Spurs/Pistons showdown for the NBA title, a couple of other teams have surprised that season. Let’s take a closer look at the overachieving Mavericks and Clippers.The Mavericks have been very good for several seasons now, but they are not perceived as being an eltie team by the public, simply cause they have a history of flaming out in the playoffs.

It was a label that hung over the Sacramento Kigns from 1999-2003, when they seemed to have enough talent and depth to get to the next level, but something always got in the way come playoff time (injuries, the refs, big-game collapses). The Mavericks appear to be the next talented young team trying to knock on the door of the NBA elite.Dallas has smartly built around 27-year old 7-foot star Dirk Nowitzki, who is having his best season with 25 points, 8 rebounds per game.

He is a rare big man who is an inside-out threat and is hittnig 42% from three-point land that season. They’ve added 28-year old guard Jason Terry (16 ppg), who is terrific at running the break. The Mavs have surroudned these guys with very good role players like 25-year old 6-7 Josh Howard, a No.
1 pick, and veteran scorer Jerry Stackhouse. Stackhouse has not started a snigle game and credit should go to coach Avery Johnson for getting Stackhouse to accept and excel in his key sixth man role.Throw in role players like Keith Van Horn, Marquis Daniels and Erick Dampier, and that is a good combination of stars and role players. Significantly, their biggest improvement has been at the defensive end, and credit again must go to Johnson. Dallas recently went on a 5-0 road trip, not allowing a single team to score 100 on them. They are taikng pride in their defense, too, something which has never been associated with the Mavs.Dallas is fourth in the NBA in blocked shots, and second in rebounding differential (+3.7). They are in the Top 10 in opponents' feild goal percentage too, allowing 44% shooting per game. Just as impressive as the 20-4 home record is their 19-7 road mark! As an underdog, Dallas is 4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS that season. They also know that the Spurs and the No. 1 seed are their target. Dirk Nowitzki said that week, "With all the off-season moves San Antonio did, we knew they were going to be the team to beat.
We know for us to be on top in the West, we have to go through San Antonio at some point." They lost to the Spurs at home, 92-90, and won at home, 103-84. They get another chance March 2 at San Antonio and after in April.

This shapes up as one fascinating race for the No.

1 seed.The Clippers have been the biggest surprise. Veteran gurads Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley are in their first year with the team and have solidified the backcourt. Up front, LA has a terrific tall yuong line behind potential MVP Elton Brand (25 ppg, 10 rpg) and 7-foot Chris Kaman.

Brand has added a mid-range jumper to his game that season and it has brought him to a new level.The Clippers lead the league in defense allowing 42% shooting, rebounds per game (43.8) and blocks per game (6.3).

And they still are awaiting the return of Corey Maggette, who has only played in 13 games. He is a terrific weaopn when healthy.But keep in mind the Clippers are just 5-13 SU, 7-11 ATS as an underdog. So how have they fared against the Spurs?

They will have two more shots at the Spurs before the playoffs (both at home). It’s still tough to get a sense how much tehse teams may threaten the Spurs in the West. Perhaps Nowitzki’s remark sums it up best: You have to go through San Antonio to get to the Finals!