| Updates : 18/04/03 : > Mavericks To Face Clippers, 1st Round |
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The Mavericks clinched first spot thanks to the great form of their big three, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley, beating off the Sonics, who suffered from a late injury to Ray Allen. They managed to get the leagues best record of 57-22. Finley finished second in the Point Per Game Charts, hitting 27.9 per game, while Nowitzki also made the top 10. Nash lead the Western Conference in assists passing 9.8 dimes per game and Shawn Bradley was named an NBA Western Conference All Star and made the NBA All Defensive Second Team, including 2.4 blocks per game and near double figures in rebounds per game, he even his 83% from the free throw line. LaFrentz and Van Exel have provided quality of the bench but one feels maybe the Mavericks could utilise Eduardo Najera's defensive talents a bit more.
The Clippers, started the season very poorly and surprisingly managed to beat the Suns and the Warriors to the number eight seed by one game. The Clippers for the first month and a half held the worst record in the league but once GM, Tony Finch, started to have an effect on the side, their fortunes began to change. Elton Brand made the All Defensive Second Team of the Year and performed very well during the season, averaging a double double. Andre Miller had a good debut season for the Clippers scoring a superb 14PPG and averaging 7.9APG. Olowikandi, Maggette, Hughes and Richardson also put in good numbers to help the Clippers finish well. And the Clips clinching eighth ensures Michael Jordan will finish his career in the post season, Finch will be hoping for a repeat of the that finish in Salt Lake City.
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since the 5th February 2003