With the Mavericks once again eliminated from the Playoffs after having high hopes of a playoff run the attacks about the team's (lack of) defense are again bubbling to the surface.

More intriguing, however, are the attacks which are coming about the team's offense.  The big O' was always the strength of this Dallas team we've been told, especially after the high scorers added more scoring in the form of Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamieson via trades in the offseason.

The results though, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning Journal, were too many predictable plays in key games and not enough creativity.  

While being forced to live through the next six months reading article after article about ways these Mavericks can improve their defense, the team must also survive knowing that the Kings were able to shut down their favored pick and roll game and in doing so shut down the Mavericks high powered offense.  Both went hand in hand.

The team could not protect a lead, and it does not have a 'go to' play it can rely on when it needs a basket.  Lack of execution in the halfcourt hurt the

If the Dallas Mavericks lose tonight their season is over, but despite the pressure which comes with this territory Steve Nash had a clear way of putting things into perspective.

He was asked just how bleak the Mavericks' situation is as they face a 3-1 deficit going into tonight's win-or-you're-done contest.

"There are a lot of kids younger than us who are fighting for their lives on the other side of the world," Nash said. "This isn't such a big deal. I feel pretty blessed being on this side of the world."

If the Dallas Mavericks have shown us anything this season it is that adding more high powered offence to an already offensive oriented squad simply doesn't work.

High hopes were in order for the Mavs this season after acquiring high profile scores Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamieson from Boston and Golden State respectively, and while both players have performed well the results in the standings simply haven't been there.

Many fans believe it is time to break up the big three.  Michael Finley, according to the fans via the Dallas Morning News, is the most expendable out of he, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, but his age and contract status would make it hard for the Mavericks to move him (but experience with Mark Cuban dictates that nothing is impossible).

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News doesn't agree with the fans, however, believing the team needs to keep the big three and then do a better job of filling in around the edges with a defensive commitment that has been lacking.

The Dallas-Sacramento series was one which was meant to be one of the closest, most exciting series of the opening round, but as Kevin Blackstone of the Dallas Morning News writes it has instead been one of sloppy play, poor shooting and disappointment.

The two teams' play through the first three games have done nothing to warrant talk of playoff success, with the team who moves on not moving much further.

The shooting percentages for each team have been poor, Dallas with 40% and the Kings with 42%, against teams who are not renoun for their defensive prowess.  What would happen if these sides met a defensive powerhouse such as the Detroit Pistons?

In teams full of stars only one per team are performing.  Chris Webber and Dirk Nowitzki have been relatively alone for their respective teams, with the games usually being decided by the team who makes the fewest unforced mistakes.

If the Sacramento Kings want to win they will need to ride the backs of four players, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes.  Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Doug Christie must account for 79% of the Kings offense to give them a shot, and while Webber and Bibby did their share of work in Game 3, Sacramento simply didn't get enough from Stojakovic or Christie.

In fact, Stojacovic only took one single field goal attempt in the second half.  Sacramento shot less than 40 percent from the field for the second consecutive game. The best passing team in the league had only 11 assists and 26 turnovers.

"We got what we deserved," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We have to have better ball movement.

"Unless Dallas suddenly became San Antonio, Indiana and Detroit all mixed into one, a lot of it has to do with us. We're going to have to look long and hard and find out why."

"The game got away from everybody, you know what I mean?" Stojakovic said. "We lost control.

"Me personally, I have to step up and play a better game."

Dallas owner Mark Cuban was upset with a foul call on Michael Finley early in the third quarter. No surprise there. But he got to appeal his case to a high authority.

Stu Jackson, the league's vice president of basketball operations, was at American Airlines Center to give the Sixth Man Award to Antawn Jamison. Cuban stood up, pointed at Jackson and began to plead his case. Jackson kept his eyes straight ahead and didn't acknowledge Cuban.

Mavericks rookie Marquis Daniels has been one of the suprise stories of this season, yet even after he leads Dallas in scoring he finds himself being talked to about his mistakes.

"We talked about some mistakes he was making, like bringing the ball too close to the basket," Mavs coach Don Nelson said. "He took what was there and really settled down in the second half."

Despite a game high five turnovers Daniels played like a veteran in the must-win Game 3, finishing with 22 points including taking over in the third quarter when point guard Steve Nash got into foul trouble.

"I'm kind of on a roll right now, just trying to do it with the help of my teammates," Daniels said. "Once I hit my first couple of shots, Coach started coming to me more and tried to keep it going."

Daniels had averaged 19.5 points in the final 12 games of the regular season after being inserted into the starting lineup, but the Mavericks were concerned about whether he could handle the point guard position.  There concerns quickly disappeared.

"He's one of those guys who is similar to Dirk [Nowitzki]," Nash said. "When he plays with the same mental attitude, it's a mismatch whoever is guarding him."

Dallas forward Antawn Jamison will be named the leagues Sixth Man of the Year when it is announced on Friday, but according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News something greater may be at stake for the high scoring phenom.

Jamison is known around the league as an ironman, playing in 328 consecutive regular-season games and two in the playoffs.  In Game 2 of the Mavericks series against the Sacramento Kings, however, Jamison's hamstrings tightened up and he could not play in the second half.  Despite the woes, Jamison is hopeful that he'll be right to play Saturday but will not practice today.

"I tried to run and both hamstrings tightened up, and I couldn't do anything," said Jamison. "It hasn't ever happened to me before. It just tightened up sitting around, I guess. But I don't think it's going to be a problem [Saturday]."

Jamison, acquired from the Golden State Warriors over the offseason, embraced the role of being Dallas' top man off the bench averaging 14.8ppg and 6.3rpg.  He played in all 82 games, starting only two, marking the fourth consecutive season that he hasn't missed a game.

Al Harrington of the Pacers, Desmond Mason of the Bucks and Manu Ginobili of the Spurs were also considered serious contenders for the Sixth Man Award.

Despite being down 0-2 in their series against the Sacramento Kings the Dallas Mavericks still have positives to draw on, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.

Firstly there is the team's home record, which is the best in the league this year.  Then there is the fact that thus far in the playoffs there has been only one home loss out of 16 attempts, odds which would bring a smile to any gambler.  Both things bode well for a team returning home for the next two games with their tails between their legs.  Win both and the series is tied heading back to California.

"We've been in this position before," said Eduardo Najera. "We know how to get back and win. Nobody's losing at home. So we're going to go back and take care of our home-court advantage."

Dallas forward Antawn Jamison will receive the Sixth Man of the Year Award, according to unnamed league sources. A press conference has been scheduled for Friday.

Traded from the Golden State Warriors in the offseason, Jamison embraced the role of being Dallas' top man off the bench, which is something he hasn't done since his rookie season while with Golden State. Jamison came off the bench in 80 of Dallas' games (started the other 2, which marked the 4th consecutive season of having played all 82 games) and averaged 14.8ppg and 6.3rpg.

Al Harrington of the Pacers, Desmond Mason of the Bucks and Manu Ginobili of the Spurs were also considered serious contenders for the Sixth Man Award.