Dallas Sports Roundup – November 17 2009

Dallas Sports Roundup – November 17

Well, the Cowboys’ NFL odds took one on the chin last weekend, but the news isn’t all bad for Dallas sports teams. The Mavericks in particular are pulling their weight as we peruse the sports happenings in the Lone Star State.

Dallas Mavericks (8-3, 1^st Southwest)

The good times keep rolling in Dallas. The Mavs have been on the road all week…and they’re doing just fine. They beat Minnesota, Detroit and Milwaukee, extending their winning streak to three games, and they’ve won five of six overall. Monday night’s game against the Bucks ended dramatically as Dirk Nowitzki drained a buzzer beater, bouncing a ball off the rim and backboard. The news isn’t completely good for the Mavs, however. Shawn Marion sprained his ankle Monday night and may miss some time. Erik Dampier is out with an illness. That means the depth that has been Dallas’ strength this year is suddenly gone. Can the Mavs handle tough tests later this month against the Spurs and Cavaliers if they’re shorthanded?

In the bright side, the injuries are giving youngsters like Roddy Beaubois more playing time. The rookie guard has back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts to his name, is shooting 61.8 per cent from the field and has made five of nine three-point attempts so far this season.

Dallas Stars (8-5-6, 3^rd Pacific)

The plucky Stars keep doing their thing and spoiling sportsbook spreads in the process, never getting blown out. Strangely, they’ve lost more overtime games (six) than regulation games this season.   Marty Turco remains surprisingly consistent in goal, still sporting a 2.25 goals against average and .920 save percentage, and sophomore James Neal’s 10 goals put him almost halfway to his rookie season total. The Stars are starting to tire, however. They’ve lost two of three, with the two defeats coming against beatable Phoenix and Minnesota. It’s likely the Stars are simply tiring after 12 days on the road.

Texas Rangers (Offseason)

Close, but no cigar for Elvis Andrus. The Rangers shortstop finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Oakland closer Andrew Bailey. Andrus came close to winning, garnering eight first-place votes. Bailey’s win was far less of a surprise than the NL result, as Chris Coghlan’s win wrecked many sports betting sharps’ predictions.

The speculation regarding Texas’ offseason continues. While they’re still loosely linked to Roy Halladay, their payroll makes them as likely to land Doc as the Houston Texans’ Super Bowl odds – still a long shot. The Rangers are certainly seeking a right-handed power bat for the middle of their order. Rumored options are Vladimir Guerrero, Jermaine Dye and switch-hitting Milton Bradley (in a swap for Kevin Millwood?).