Nuggets coach George Karl has concerns. The Dallas Mavericks are potent opponents and playing their best basketball of the season.
How does he plan to slow them down? Here are a few of Karl’s keys to the series.
• Transition defense: “They are very good in the open court,” Karl said. “I think they get excited playing in the open court. I think they are a team-oriented team in the open court. They have balance.”
• Defending the 3-point shot and rebounding: “I think fundamentals are going to be more important in this series than New Orleans gave us. This team has hurt us in second shots a lot in our four games.”
• Limiting Dirk Nowitzki’s touches: “I think he gets 25-35 touches,” Karl said. The Nuggets, he believes, need to lower that number.
Revised goal.
Carmelo Anthony got past the first round for the first time in his career.
So now what?
“I got to get out of the second round now,” he said, laughing. “The first round is done and over with. I got out. I start the second round on Sunday, and my goal is to get out of that round.”
He said though this is his first time playing in the second round, he’s not more nervous.
“It’s just all about basketball, playing the same way I’ve been playing, taking my level up to another notch, and most importantly winning that first game here,” he said.
Ticket relief.
Kenyon Martin grew up in Dallas and still has many friends and family there, but he no longer worries about ticket requests. “I used to do that early in my career, going down there and having to get 60, 70 tickets,” he said, chuckling. “The playoff tickets are little more expensive than the regular season tickets.” . . . Center Johan Petro did not practice Friday and was sent home with a cold.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
