The battle of New Orleans

Tyson Chandler: Above the rim

Does anyone like these quotes from your team leader?

"I think that's definitely a matchup we wanted to avoid."

"This was definitely a win we wanted to get ... and don't see the Lakers."

That's the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki talking about the Los Angeles Lakers. Granted, it's true. But why vocalize it? Silly.

Instead of the Lakers, the Mavs have drawn the New Orleans Hornets. Not that the Mavs are going to roll them whereas they would've fallen limp against the Lakers. The Hornets are a fine team and this match-up is as even as it gets. Both teams are solid defensive team, but not great. Both are good offensively, but in different fashions.

The shocking thing about the Hornets-Mavs match-up is what little respect New Orleans are getting. The Hornets, mind you, won 56 games. Have a MVP candidate. And two frontcourt monsters.

Also, a week ago friends and media were dropping dirt on the Mavs' season. One friend of mine said they would miss the playoffs ... now he thinks they'll beat the Hornets, no problem. Also, the Hardline, the afternoon show of The Ticket, all of a sudden, is high on the Mavs.

Why? Playoff experience. Bah. Doesn't matter. Remember 2000-01? A playoff newcomer Dallas Maverick team beat the Utah Jazz in the first round. Where was Steve Nash's and Dirk Nowitzki's playoff experience. Even John Hollinger debunks playoff experience.

The keys to the series:

Erick Dampier
Maybe there are more important Mavericks. Maybe. Damp is up there. He must log in 30-35 minutes, get double-digit rebounding, stay out of foul trouble and play solid defense against Tyson Chandler or David West. Case in point: The Utah Jazz win a week ago when he slowed Carlos Boozer down to a crawl. This same play must be seen against those two guys.

Jason Kidd
Frankly, the Kidd-Chris Paul match-up isn't even really fair. Paul will more than likely tear the Kidd-Jason Terry defensive juggernaut apart. Nonetheless, as a vehement opponent to Kidd, I'm willing to put the regular season behind me and give him a clean slate. This is it. The playoffs were the reason he was brought in. So, let's see what he has.

Peja
For every game he choked away as a Sacramento King, there always seemed to be a half dozen huge three-pointers Peja hit against the Mavericks. If Josh Howard can keep him in check and out of rhythm the Mavs could have a good shot in this series.

The Road
The Mavericks must find a way to win in New Orleans.

Dirk Nowitzki
Must average 32 ppg+.

Furthermore, he has to make Chandler and West work. The Hornets biggest weakness is the bench. The plan: get Chandler and/or West in foul trouble early and dip into that Hornet bench.

Outrebound
Chandler and West are fantastic rebounders. Paul's solid. The Mavs must rebound the Hornets.

Bench
The Mavs bench must not just outscore the Hornets bench, they must completely and utterly annihilate the Hornets bench. Something like 40-15 or something. It has to be such a big deal that Charles Barkley talks about it.

Prediction
Hornets in 7
The Mavs were 17-24 on the road. The Hornets were 30-11 at home. The Hornets were 27-14 on the road. What about the last month makes us think the Mavs can not only win all three games at home, but also steal one on the road? Nothing. Just hopes, dreams, unicorns, pixie dust and rainbows.