they somehow won again. they outscored the raps 31-14 in the fourth to force OT. toronto hit a 3 to tie it with 12 seconds left in OT, but Dirk hit a jumper to win it. again they're only 1.5 games behind us.

I always laugh when Sir Charles says that they dont play enough d. Ever since Avery took over the Mavs have been improving by leaps and bounds in the d department. Imo untill they beat the Spurs they are still #2 in the west but Dam they look scary.

lets not forget that in order to come back from a double digit deficit, defense is required...so I would say that yesterday was a step in the right direction. Besides, no way Avery lets that team continue to slip defensively if there is a dropoff.

I've never been a Dallas fan, I've always hated Cuban's antics (I know he is good for the league exposure wise but......) I've really disliked Dallas's run and gun and NO-D game. But I have to give them some credit for their ability to go on HUGE RUNS. They have won alot of games where they were down huge or where they just go on MONSTER RUNS. They can flatout bury teams. It's sucks giving them praise, but it's well deserved.

On a side-note, I'm a big Darko fan but I cannot stand Dirk's game. He is NEVER in the paint offensively. He is strictly a perimeter guy. I really never wanted Darko to become a DIRK type player. I wanted him to be an OLAJUWON type guy for the Pistons, in the lowpost and passing and blocking shots. I've never been a Dirk fan and I completely enjoyed watching a 6'7 TMAC put the shackles on a 7 foot DIRK in the playoffs (last year?). Dirk needs to remember that he IS a 7 footer and should be dishing out punishment to ANY 6'7 guy that tries to stop him. Until then, Dirk is still a punk.

There is no doubt the Mavs are finally for real. They're my favorite team in the West. I've been saying it ever since AJ took over.

They have depth, vets, youth, a wealthy owner who loves basketball and now a very good coach with a fresh voice on the sideline.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

They've been battling injuries all year though Abe. That needs to be taken into consideration as well.