Can Mavs do it again?

Coach Avery Johnson would say yes

By Matt Anderson
Sports Editor

The Dallas Mavericks entered the post-season with the best record in the National Basketball Association (NBA) 67-15.

After a defeat by the Miami Heat last year in the NBA finals, the question Dallas faced was, “Would there be a finals hangover?” The 2006-2007 season had Dallas facing the San Antonio Spurs in the season opener and then the Phoenix Suns a week later.

Dallas started off the season 0-4 and it looked like the hangover was in full effect. After losses to the Spurs, Rockets, Warriors and Clippers; Dallas rattled off 12 wins in a row starting with the Suns.

Mavs’ fans then saw Dallas have runs of 13 and 17 wins in a row and winning every game in the month of February. For a majority of the NBA season the Mavericks were locked in a race with the Suns for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Suns had an injury to Steve Nash and fell off pace.

At seasons end, Dallas held the top seed in the West and drew the Golden State Warriors and former Maverick head coach Don Nelson. The Warriors do pose a problem for the Mavs. Golden State leads the league in transition points.

Dallas dropped game one at home 85-97, but took game two 112-99. Golden State lost two players when Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson were ejected. At press time Friday evening the series was even at 1-1 and game 3 was Friday night in Oakland.

Can the Mavs head coach Avery Johnson keep Dallas on track and make a repeat trip to the NBA Finals?