Dallas Sports Roundup – November 10 2009
Shh! Let the Pacquiao Cotto odds distract all the sports fans out there. No one seems to notice that the Cowboys are flying under the radar (somehow) and sitting atop the NFC East. Are the other Dallas teams following suit? Let’s check in.
Dallas Mavericks (4-2, T-1st Southwest)
For the second straight week, the Mavs took two of three. So far, Mark Cuban’s assertion that this team is stronger than the one that reached the finals doesn’t look so crazy. There’s still the odd blip on the radar – the home opener loss to Washington and a late-game collapse in New Orleans – but the Mavs are mostly playing good basketball.
The team depth that got everyone excited in the preseason is ringing true. In Dallas’ 129-101 win over Toronto last Saturday, Jason Terry had 19 points off the bench. Shawn Marion continues to look like a good fit and the Mavs just welcomed Josh Howard back to the lineup after his offseason ankle surgery. Even pluggers like Kris Humphries are chipping in off the bench. This week is a biggie for the Mavs, as they battle Lone Star State rivals Houston and San Antonio. Maybe they’ll follow the Cowboys’ NFL odds and get to 6-2 before we know it.
Dallas Stars (7-4-6, 4th Pacific)
Don’t let the fourth-place divisional rank fool you; the Stars are playing decent hockey but stuck in a surprisingly competitive group with San Jose, Los Angeles and Phoenix playing well and Anaheim due to wake up soon. Though they’ve lost four of five, two of those losses came in overtime, so the Stars aren’t making it easy on opponents.
The injury bug continues to bite; the latest casualty is James Neal, who is battling a groin injury. The Stars don’t play until Thursday, however, so he has time to recover. The next several games should give Stars fans and sportsbook bettors a much better idea of what to expect overall this year, as Dallas faces tough tests against San Jose, Phoenix, Detroit, Columbus and New Jersey.
Texas Rangers (Offseason)
As general managers begin their annual meetings, the Rangers find themselves in an unusual position. After years of never having enough pitching to contend, they’re wondering if they need to deal some of their surprising depth to boost their offense. Go figure. Whether it’s Kevin Millwood, Scott Feldman, or Brandon McCarthy, someone may need to go. It’s hard to imagine Texas parting with megaprospects Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland, however.
Also from the rumor mill: The Rangers may try to reacquire Milton Bradley from the Cubs. Bradley’s best Major-League season came with Texas in 2008 (.321, 22 HR, 77 RBI in 126 games). Maybe a return could help him push the Rangers to the same lofty divisional perch the Cowboys occupy as NFL picks right now.
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