Dallas Mavericks 2009 Playoff | Round 2 Nuggets

Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks will face the Denver Nuggets in round 2 of the 2009 NBA playoffs. The Nuggets won all 4 of the teams regular season matchups, and since Chauncey Billups arrival the Nuggets have a new identity. Both teams are firing on all cylinders and this should shape up to be a great series. The TV schedule is listed below and this post will be updated with scores and recaps following the games.

Dallas Mavericks 2009 Playoff Schedule | Round 2

Game 1
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 | at Denver | Denver 109 Dallas 95

The Dallas Mavericks looked strong early but they were unable to outlast the Denver Nuggets in game 1 of their round 2 series. The Mavericks led by 8 after the first quarter, but they were outplayed in each of the remaining 3 quarters. Erick Dampier was unable to contain Nene who scored 24. In order to win game 2 the Mavericks need less turnovers, they had 20 in game 1. Also Erick Dampier will need to give the Mavs more against Nene if they are going to have a chance in this series.

Game 2
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 | at Denver | Denver 117 Dallas 105 | Get NBA Playoff Tickets
Game 2 was a repeat of game 1 only this time the Mavericks lost Josh Howard to injury after 5 minutes. Josh Howard has been battling ankle problems for most of the season, he injured his good ankle in game 1 of this series. Game 2 was a surprisingly close game until the 4th quarter when it was apparent the Mavs were out of gas. Erick Dampier’s poor defense once again allowed Nene to score 25 points, Dampier was in foul trouble for most of the game. For Game 3 this playoff series heads to Dallas, and hopefully some home cooking will help the Mavericks elevate their level of play against this athletic Denver Nuggets squad.

Game 3
Saturday May 9th, 2009 | at Dallas | Denver 106 Dallas 105 | Get NBA Playoff Tickets
The Mavs missed key free throws in the final moments of game 3 allowing the Nuggets to tighten up the score. The Dallas Mavericks were up by 2 with about 31 seconds left when Antoine Wright attempted to foul Carmelo Anthony twice, but apparently the ref standing right next to Anthony and Wright did not see either of Wright’s foul attempts. Anthony continued playing through the fouls and knocked down a 3 pointer to put Denver ahead. Shortly after the game the NBA released a statement stating the officials blew the call. The Mavericks head into game 4 facing elimination as they fight the fact that no NBA team has ever comeback from being down 3 games to win a playoff series.

Game 4
Monday May 11th, 2009 | at Dallas | Dallas 119 Denver 117 | Get NBA Playoff Tickets
The Mavericks season appeared to be over in the first half, but they were able to mount a comeback and hold the lead in the closing moments of game 4. Dirk Nowitzki had a MVP performance scoring 44 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Mavericks victory. Erick Dampier was no help once again, he had had 0 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, and 6 fouls. Dampier played the fewest minutes at just under 23 but managed to have the most turnovers. Nuggets Forward Carmelo Anthony had 41 points and 11 boards in the game. The series heads back to Denver for game 5, the Mavs need a repeat performance to have any chance for a win in the Pepsi Center.

Game 5
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 | at Denver | Denver 124 Dallas 110 | Get NBA Playoff Tickets
The Denver Nuggets won game 5 winning the series 4 games to 1, the Mavs were unable to match Denver’s physical and athletic play. Erick Dampier’s inability to cover an athletic center has once again left the Mavericks out of the playoffs. This off season the Mavs will need to either resign Jason Kidd or find a new point guard for next season. The Dallas Mavericks are also in need of a center that unlike Erick Dampier has some hands and will do more than foul out and turn the ball over, a post presence would be nice. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit’s PF/C has expressed the fact that he would like to come to Dallas and would be a perfect fit.

Game 6
Friday May 15th, 2009 | at Dallas | TBD | ESPN | Get NBA Playoff Tickets

Game 7
Sunday May 17th 2009 | at Denver | TBD | TBD | Get NBA Playoff Tickets