Mavericks vs. Rockets Q&A: The Enemy’s Take

The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Houston Rockets in a first round Texas Showdown. We’re lucky to be joined by Rockets’ fan – Scott Rafferty (@Crabdribbles) – to get the enemy’s take on the series.

Editor’s Note: Scott Rafferty is the editor of Hardwood Paroxysm’s Upside & Motor. He firmly believes that Tracy McGrady is the greatest player of all-time and will never forgive the Mavericks for what they did to him in 2005.

He’s also a must follow on Twitter. So Do It!

1. Dallas Mavericks’ fan are relieved and ecstatic that they are avoiding the San Antonio Spurs to face the Houston Rockets instead. How do you feel about the Rockets going head to head with the Mavs?

There’s two ways to look at this matchup with the Mavericks:

1) The Mavericks haven’t been good since acquiring Rajon Rondo, and it’s hard to imagine they’ll just flip a switch and be title contenders all of a sudden. Other than the Pelicans, they’re the one team the likes of the Spurs, Clippers, Rockets and Warriors wanted to play in the first round. They don’t have anyone who can stop James Harden and Terrence Jones should matchup well with Dirk Nowitzki. Also, Chandler Parsons has a bad knee.

2) Playoffs Rick Carlisle is a terrifying thing.

It’s not going to be pretty. I’m guessing they’ll be a lot of hack-a-whoever going on, seeing as the Rockets have some terrible free throw shooters. There will certainly be some close games and Carlisle will pull some unforeseen tricks out of his sleeve. Even so, it’s hard for me to pencil the Mavericks in the second round.

2. Which matchup(s) are you keyed in on most? Which player(s) may determine the series for either side?

The power forward matchup between Terrence Jones and Dirk Nowitzki should be fascinating. Jones had a rough time guarding LaMarcus Aldridge last postseason, which we all know ended badly for the Rockets, but he’s taken a huge leap forward this season and will be looking to redeem himself in an equally exhausting matchup. Dirk hasn’t been his normal self this season, but, I mean, it’s Dirk. It wouldn’t be a shocker if he averaged 20-something points, hit daggers in close games and looked like his 32-year-old-self again. There’s a reason he’s one of the greatest players ever.

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3. What do you see giving the Mavs the biggest problem and what do the Mavs do that you see the Rockets struggling with?

The Mavericks have the same problem as any team facing the Rockets: how in the world do they slow down James Harden? Keeping him off the free throw line will be key, but that’s much easier said than done.

For the Rockets, they’ll have to key in on Chandler Parsons and Dirk. Parsons will be looking to get some revenge on his former team, and he’s the key to the Mavericks’ success in this series. Let’s see if his knee holds up.

4. Dirk Nowitzki has had an up and down season but has still shown flashes at 36 years old. How do you see him impacting this series?

I’ll never count Dirk out. Bad season or not, he’s still an assassin. The Rockets will have to take him out of the series early and not give him any confidence, because a rejuvenated Dirk is a scary sight.

5. It’s been exactly ten years since these two teams last faced in the playoffs. After Houston took a 2-0 series lead, the Mavs rallied and took the series in seven games. How do you envision this matchup going this time around?

I have the Rockets winning in six games. The Mavericks are a well coached group with some interesting pieces, but they haven’t found their stride since acquiring Rondo and there are too many question marks to feel confident about them advancing. Although the Rockets have their own flaws — they rely so heavily on isolation ball and Harden getting to the free throw line, and they’re without Donatas Motiejunas, Patrick Beverley and K.J. McDaniels — they’re the better team.

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