March 18, 2009

Wanted: Rebounding Force

Dallas was without Josh for the sixth consecutive game, and there seems to be a disturbing trend developing: without their starting swingman, the Mavericks are losing the rebounding battle.

Tuesday, the Mavs survived another tough night on the glass with a 103-101 victory against the Detroit Pistons.

A win is a win, however, Dallas has been dominated in the rebound department of late, and head coach Rick Carlisle is justly concerned.

"We're just going to have to do it collectively," he said. "Five guys are going to have to get in there and dig it out. Sometimes, we play a little undersized, and in those situations where we don't have the length in there, we're going to have to do it with grit. Simple as that. There is really no other way."

Dallas gave up 27 second-chance points as the Pistons grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.

In the last three games, the Mavs have been out-rebounded by nine, nine, and 10.

INJURY UPDATE
The dreaded S-word has officially been uttered.

According to team officials, sooner or later, Josh's left ankle will require arthroscopic surgery.

The team would prefer later, obviously, as their first priority is to have No.5 healthy for the playoffs. Hopefully, surgery can be delayed until the off-season.

Regardless, Josh will be out for at least another week before he is even cleared to practice.

NEXT UP
Thursday, the Mavs travel to Atlanta to face Joe Johnson and the Hawks (40-28).

The Show won't be performing for the second, and last, meeting against the Hawks this year. Last season, he tallied 19 points and six rebounds in his only game verse Atlanta.

RELATED STORIES
Dallas Mavericks sputter past short-handed Pistons, 103-101 (Dallas Morning News, Mar. 18, 2009)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/...
Time running out on Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard (Dallas Morning News, Mar. 17, 2009)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/...