Believe: win the next game, take the momentum back & come back home.

[Virgil]

Dallas is at its peak, we are not.

This isn´t over my friends. I stil believe we are the favorites here. Everything will come out just fine.

The only regret: it will take us 6 games. Kinda hoped we would take care of it quickly and get some rest.

[AFBlue]

+1 tbqh

[Budkin]

This is fucking bullshit tbh.

EDIT: The fact that we're down, not your take.

[TheRemix]

just have to find a way to stop ellis.

[hater]

10% chance IMO

[RD2191]

Go fuck yourself. There is zero reason to believe in this team right now.

[TheRemix]

and patty has to find his shot.

[BillMc]

Dallas is at its peak, we are not.

This isn´t over my friends. I stil believe we are the favorites here. Everything will come out just fine.

The only regret: it will take us 6 games. Kinda hoped we would take care of it quickly and get some rest.

Absolutely.

[Prime Time]

We're losing this series, IMO. I'm not really 'worried', I still think the Spurs have a shot. It's just a prediction of mine since Game 2.

The Mavs have found a way to take San Antonio's role players out of the game, and once that happens... That's all she wrote.

[dg7md]

This year is the year of the underdogs in the playoffs, imo

[Malik Hairston]

We're losing this series, IMO. I'm not really 'worried', I still think the Spurs have a shot. It's just a prediction of mine since Game 2.

The Mavs have found a way to take San Antonio's role players out of the game, and once that happens... That's all she wrote.

Spurs figured out Dallas's defense, they didn't have troubles scoring in this game..

The problem is defensively, which is mostly due to the coach's rotations..

[Virgil]

Go fuck yourself. There is zero reason to believe in this team right now.

You´d still think that way if we had won?

[raybies]

if we win, its gonna be good preparation for most likely Portland. problem is we got to stop overlooking this team. they came to play.

[SpursRock20]

10% chance IMO
Based on what?

The Spurs looked pretty damn solid today and had a great shot of winning it. Mavs don't play too tough at home and the Spurs have shown a lot of resilience to play very solid basketball on the road this season.

Just go back to last year when the Spurs lost an even bigger heartbreaker to the Heat in game 6. They came back in game 7 to play a great game that came down to the wire. If they had the heart and passion to pick themselves after a loss like that then they should be more than able to be ready to play solid ball again on Monday. It's a 2-1 series lead, so what?

[Budkin]

Go fuck yourself. There is zero reason to believe in this team right now.

I have to agree with rob. This team has shown no heart at all. The fucking Mavs?? How would we have a chance of beating the Thunder/Blazers/Heat, etc?

[Raven]

yes but i'm still pissed.

[SpursFan86]

I know these past 3 games are all people can think about...but are y'all really so worried about beating Dallas 3 times in 4 games? Think about it. We win on Monday, and it becomes a best-of-3 series with us having two games at home.

We win Monday, and we're in good shape. Lose Monday...well, that's when I get seriously nervous.

[DarrinS]

There are stats on this situation for the Spurs -- doesn't look good

[benstanfield]

I know these past 3 games are all people can think about...but are y'all really so worried about beating Dallas 3 times in 4 games? Think about it. We win on Monday, and it becomes a best-of-3 series with us having two games at home.

We win Monday, and we're in good shape. Lose Monday...well, that's when I get seriously nervous.

people were saying the exact same fucking shit after G2 rofl, spurs suck pop sucks trade tony for picksPERIOD

[Virgil]

Indiana tied up its series and OKC and SA will do the same.

back off chickens!

[hater]

Based on what?

The Spurs looked pretty damn solid today and had a great shot of winning it. Mavs don't play too tough at home and the Spurs have shown a lot of resilience to play very solid basketball on the road this season.

Just go back to last year when the Spurs lost an even bigger heartbreaker to the Heat in game 6. They came back in game 7 to play a great game that came down to the wire. If they had the heart and passion to pick themselves after a loss like that then they should be more than able to be ready to play solid ball again on Monday. It's a 2-1 series lead, so what?

We proved for the 2nd game in a row that we cant stop Dallas. Dallas shot the ball badly this game, if Dallas had shot well wed have gotten blown out. Pops system is getting exposed and Im not too sure there are any adjustments he could do to get us back in this series. Pops system is the weakest link here. Thata is BAD news. Still we have a chance in hell but I would not bet any koney on it. Its looking pretty dim

[SpurSwag]

It's so funny how down everyone is right now, but if we win the next game all of a sudden everyone is gonna say how we are once again the favorite to win the series.

Being down 2-1 isn't remotely bad, idk why anyone is acting like it is. Tbh Any scenario where you can tie the series up with a win is never serious imho, especially if you are the better team as I know we are

[dg7md]

Wishful thinking ITT

[Hoops Czar]

Believe thread is back.

[313]

Indiana tied up its series and OKC and SA will do the same.

back off chickens!OKC is finished

[Arcadian]

Agreed... It could be a good thing that we're not peaking too early, tbh.

[Rick Von Braun]

+1

Believe!

[hommeaetage]

The thing the "homers" refuse to acknowledge is there is no reason to believe in this team right now because they are playing bad basketball at the wrong time of the year. It wouldn't bother me as much if we lost, and the eye test showed me the team fought hard and relied on its defense and all that. The problem is despite the high score, you could see the mental mistakes and the lack of focus all game long. I'm not gonna say it's over (simply because Dallas has to win 2 more) but they keep playing that way, even if the miraculously beat Dallas I don't see them going anywhere

[BillMc]

One of the problems seems to be Danny is in a massive shooting slump and has no off the dribble game to compensate. So, to find offense, his time is getting cut, some of which is given to Marco who isn't half the defender Danny is. It's a vicious cycle.

[Sigz]

Believe, that it's over.

[BillMc]

Win Monday and it's best of 3 and we have home court.

[rascal]

Win next game or the spurs are finished in 5. The Spurs will not battle out of a 1-3 hole and an elimination game, this core team has not done well in facing their elimination games over the last few years.

[rascal]

Win Monday and it's best of 3 and we have home court.

Like home court matters all that much, you must have missed the first two games. This is why I don't care so much about the Spurs getting the top record because that only means the last pick in the draft.

[Ginobili3]

I would want someone to defend Ellis better, he's really quick taking a handoff and coming off a screen. I can live with long 2s, and ofc he'll find penetration, but I dunno why tf we're turning the ball over. We hd 15 today but I still think thats too much

[rascal]

I would want someone to defend Ellis better, he's really quick taking a handoff and coming off a screen. I can live with long 2s, and ofc he'll find penetration, but I dunno why tf we're turning the ball over. We hd 15 today but I still think thats too much

People wanted Marco over Ellis this past summer.

[Dverde]

Mavs had to hit a 3 pointer with their 3rd option to win this game on their home court. Up 2 pts, you have to defend more ground. Spurs should have won that game and they played okay. If they are playing good, they win that game by 8 or 10 pts. How the team responded in the fourth quarter is encouraging. They hit big shots. Got some stops. I still like their chances, but it may take 7 games now.

[GrandeDavid]

I have to agree with rob. This team has shown no heart at all. The fucking Mavs?? How would we have a chance of beating the Thunder/Blazers/Heat, etc?

You can remove 1-2 down Thunder from that list.

[BillMc]

Like home court matters all that much, you must have missed the first two games. This is why I don't care so much about the Spurs getting the top record because that only means the last pick in the draft.

Didn't miss a moment of our games. But I'll take home court in a game 7 if it comes to that.

[superjames1992]

I know these past 3 games are all people can think about...but are y'all really so worried about beating Dallas 3 times in 4 games? Think about it. We win on Monday, and it becomes a best-of-3 series with us having two games at home.

We win Monday, and we're in good shape. Lose Monday...well, that's when I get seriously nervous.
Agreed...

I feel like game 4 is as close to a must-win as you can get, though. Lose that and we're screwed in all likelihood.

[therealtruth]

Like home court matters all that much, you must have missed the first two games. This is why I don't care so much about the Spurs getting the top record because that only means the last pick in the draft.

We need to stop treating the regular season as something to get out of the way. And start treating it like warmups for the playoffs.

[therealtruth]

Facing this kind of adversity now can be good for the team in the long run if they figure it out and respond.

[kobexxx]

accept reality rather than being unrealistic.. DAlls would have been 3-0 now

[Sean Cagney]

Mavs had to hit a 3 pointer with their 3rd option to win this game on their home court. Up 2 pts, you have to defend more ground. Spurs should have won that game and they played okay. If they are playing good, they win that game by 8 or 10 pts. How the team responded in the fourth quarter is encouraging. They hit big shots. Got some stops. I still like their chances, but it may take 7 games now.

I keep waiting for them to play a good game this series to be honest, I keep hearing they are not playing good games or great yet, but it's game 4 coming up so they had better hurry soon or they will be on that boat fishing again.
Facing this kind of adversity now can be good for the team in the long run if they figure it out and respond.

IF they figure it out like OKC has done tonight, IF NOT they will be taking an early vacation.

[Horry Hipcheck]

I know the Spurs could still be better, but despite the heartbreak of Carter's shot, they showed a lot of positive signs today. Namely that Carlisle's defensive schemes were mostly solved. It's Pop's defense that needs a boost. A solid half from Parker, good turnout from Duncan again, and despite not scoring a lot, a pretty huge game from Manu. Kawhi and Diaw provided big shots and plays, too. The Mavs had all the energy for most of the game and still couldn't pull away. Had Carter's shot not fallen, we'd be talking about how the Spurs stepped up to make the big plays down the stretch that title contenders have to make.

I don't have the same outlook on this series as I did Memphis three years ago. Sure, being down 2-1 to a team they'd previously been untouched by sucks, and there are signs of problems everywhere. It just doesn't feel the same to me. The Spurs could very well end up losing the series but I have a gut feeling they put together a solid outing on Monday and knot everything up. Dallas won't wilt after that, but I think they bring more of what they did tonight and maybe find a way to slow Ellis a little en route to a victory and a 2-2 series coming home.

[Ditty]

Go fuck yourself. There is zero reason to believe in this team right now.

STFU dude. If you don't believe then why the fuck are you posting. You were getting all wet when we were about to win tonight. Everyone is disappointed so far but it is what it is.

[Ditty]

Spurs played well tonight. I really like what I saw. I believe Tiago should be on the court at all times when Dirk is on the floor. Diaw is having such a hard time with Dirk, but Diaw made a clutch shot tonight at the same time. I would like to see pop use Green on Ellis like everyone is mentioning also. I believe we will be fine. Lets get game four, and I will be confident the rest of the way.

[Horry Hipcheck]

accept reality rather than being unrealistic.. DAlls would have been 3-0 now

Just as easily as it could be 2-1 Spurs.

[r0drig0lac]

This is fucking bullshit tbh.

EDIT: The fact that we're down, not your take. this

[RD2191]

Do we even want then to win? Portland or Houston would go in raw on this team.

[baseline bum]

If Carter's shot bounces off the front of the rim I still wouldn't exactly be feeling confident in the team.

[TE]

If Carter's shot bounces off the front of the rim I still wouldn't exactly be feeling confident in the team.
This.

This team doesn't look like the one it did last year. Parker is on his last legs and can't carry this team (fuck u France) like he did last year. Our ball movement is not there like it was. Our role players just don't have it after showing so much promise during the regular season.

Portland (who I have winning in the first round) is going to blitzkrieg this team so badly, they'll close out the ATT center tbh.

[SpurPadre]

Just as easily as it could be 2-1 Spurs.

Yeah but through 12 quarters of play, the Mavs have clearly been the better team with a much bigger room for error. They've made some bad decisions with the ball and would still come up with a 5 point lead in a matter of seconds. For us, we make ONE little mistake or two consecutive missed shots, and we could be down by 7.

[dbreiden83080]

The series is far from over people need to chill...

[SpurPadre]

The series is far from over people need to chill...

True but we've been dominated through 12 quarters of play so you can't blame people from tripping about this setback.

[Sean Cagney]

The series is far from over people need to chill...

Even if the Spurs squeak past this series they are not doing shit this year the way they are playing, period. Portland or Houston would kill them right now. They have ALOT to build on but the thing is they can't lose two more games this round. They look like shit right now, period.
True but we've been dominated through 12 quarters of play so you can't blame people from tripping about this setback.

I hope the Spurs can turn this around, period. I right now am in doubt and upset, but know they can do it if they put their mind to it.

[slick'81]

I was the dumbass who though they'd take game 7 so yes I believe this spurs team can get game 4

[mudyez]

I 100% believe.

The "If we can't beat Dallas, we are not ringing anyway." just became a "If we can't beat Dallas 3 out of 4 we are not ringing anyway."

My guess is that Dallas will win game 4 (blowout) but we will win in 7.

[nevitt_&_smrek]

Can't expect the path to the finals to be smooth, especially with all the strong teams in the West. Last year for you guys should be considered abnormal. This will be a grind. Tough losses can be overcome. Just think back to that buzzer-beater shot Lebron James hit vs. Orlando back in 2009. Yet which team won the series? First team to four wins. Sounds cliche, but it's true.

[heyheymymy]

still a lot of series left and i won't start worrying unless i dont see a different team out there on mon. if it's the same disinterested lazy unfocused team that played gms 2 & 3 we are in for a tough fight.

[jiggy_55]

One of the problems seems to be Danny is in a massive shooting slump and has no off the dribble game to compensate. So, to find offense, his time is getting cut, some of which is given to Marco who isn't half the defender Danny is. It's a vicious cycle.
If this is the case, then we gotta live with Danny as at least the Mavs won't be on fire. You gotta think Green will make some shots if he plays more than 13 minutes!

[Duncanforthree]

I'm in. SPURS are not losing this series.

This will get us sharp for POR/HOU

[Rito3d30]

The bench just looked completely lost
especially Marco and Patty, Green as well
Not to mention our assistant coaches:rollin

[siraulo23]

jinx


:lol spurs, okc struggled but wont lose to a 7th seed, Pacers too tied their series, :lol spurs will manage to repeat a feat that is a rarity in the nba, that is losing to an 8th seed

[dg7md]

jinx


:lol spurs, okc struggled but wont lose to a 7th seed, Pacers too tied their series, :lol spurs will manage to repeat a feat that is a rarity in the nba, that is losing to an 8th seed

We should be looking at their wins as a confidence booster, tbh. Both the Thunder and Pacers were about to be down 3-1 and put it together, I don't see why we couldn't. Not like they've looked any better against their opponents than we have.

[John_C]

I think it is time Pop gives Kawhi a larger offensive role than this, like the time when he first unleashed a seemingly green Ginobili. The Mavs have prepared against the big three, but I don't think they are really prepared for a fourth genuine option to explode.

[Chomag]

Mavs have found a way to gum up the spurs system. Its not looking good as Mavs are the ones playing with confidence while spurs are looking shaken up anim timid. Spurs can still win this but its gonna take pop getting over his system and let the star players take over.

It could easily be 0-3 right now so those that think there is no issues of concern might should take off the homer glasses.I hope spurs pull this out and Im going to cheer them on but its not looking good for them.

[Chomag]

Mavs have found a way to gum up the spurs system. Its not looking good as Mavs are the ones playing with confidence while spurs are looking shaken up and timid. Spurs can still win this but its gonna take pop getting over his system and let the star players take over.

[noles1983]

damn, we have been outplayed basically every quarter, but you guys are so confident. i dont get it tbh. blind homerism?

[Canibspur]

Dallas is at its peak, we are not.

This isn´t over my friends. I stil believe we are the favorites here. Everything will come out just fine.

The only regret: it will take us 6 games. Kinda hoped we would take care of it quickly and get some rest.

This.


if we win, its gonna be good preparation for most likely Portland. problem is we got to stop overlooking this team. they came to play.

Oh and this.

[Horry Hipcheck]

damn, we have been outplayed basically every quarter, but you guys are so confident. i dont get it tbh. blind homerism?

The Spurs being mostly outplayed doesn't change the fact that they were one Vince Carter buzzer beater from taking a 2-1 lead in this series. Cliff jumpers see how easy it is to harp on the obvious negative aspects of the game, and the consistent manner in which the Spurs seem to struggle to maintain any rhythm, etc. The series is not over. The Spurs are not even on the brink of elimination, but a majority of posters here want to gather up all of the things that have gone wrong and use them to push Dallas into the semis. What's the real difference between blind homerism and cliff jumping? Nobody is saying that the Spurs are playing well, we can all agree they have yet to really show up. Half the people here want to declare the Spurs DOA after 3 games, and when the rest of us express an iota of confidence that they can still win the series, which is statistically still quite possible, you ask where it comes from.

It could so easily be 2-1 in favor of the Spurs. It literally does not matter how they would have gotten there. 2-1 is 2-1, period. I couldn't give two shits if the Spurs had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and get a 50-point game out of Ayres just to beat Dallas by 1 in Game 4, because it wouldn't matter that it took an impossible athletic miracle; the series would STILL be 2-2.

Championship teams very rarely impose their will on 4 different opponents without hitting a wall here and there. Spurs fans seem to forget that this is a title contender, not a juggernaut.

Call it blind homerism if you want, but don't forget that at the other end of the homer spectrum is the likes of people who see a couple of not-so-great games and assume the inevitable. Cliff jumpers and blind homers are the same people with the same mentality.

[r0drig0lac]

damn, we have been outplayed basically every quarter, but you guys are so confident. i dont get it tbh. blind homerism?

yes, basically how it works here

[RD2191]

Pop's system has been exposed, again. I mean he does what he can with what he has but he should of spent more time developing Kawhi this season.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

We'll win Game 4. Spurs will be ready. Vince had a nice shot, but that won't happen again.

[spurtech09]

just took one lucky three and acouple of bs calls by the refs....spurs should of won.....spurs are not going to lose 3 in a row you better believe that.....mavs are a fluke

[Oh, Gee!!]

spurs are gonna sweep portland tbh

[spurtech09]

I'm in. SPURS are not losing this series.

This will get us sharp for POR/HOUagree the spurs will win the series

[BillMc]

Spurs win this in 6.

Thunder and Houston having trouble. Sterling looks like he sabotaged the Clippers with his racist rant. West could open up.

[Virgil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWnyg-Q3VOg&feature=player_embedded#at=120

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWnyg-Q3VOg&feature=player_embedded#at=120)
Just see the way Dallas´s players celebrate. They do it as if they´d won the series. They will be emotionally exhausted tomorrow.

Spurs in 6. Book it.

[G-Dawgg]

Game 4 will define this series...

[TE]

Man, remember the last time the Spurs where in this exact same position? That was in the Memphis series, down 2-1. They got skullfucked in game 4.

Hopefully it doesn't pan out like that cuz fuck if it will.

[TXstbobcat]

The Spurs will win game four and this series won't be decided until game seven.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Man, remember the last time the Spurs where in this exact same position? That was in the Memphis series, down 2-1. They got skullfucked in game 4.

Hopefully it doesn't pan out like that cuz fuck if it will.

The differences between that series and this are numerous, though. Memphis presented a front line size problem the Spurs did not have a game plan for, the the Grizzlies beat the snot out of SA in the paint. The offense back then was still heavily centered on Duncan, and he was powerless in the post. Elsewhere, the Spurs only offered a hobbled Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, James Anderson, and Gary Neal as bench options.

Granted, Belinelli and Green have yet to prove the difference makers in this series, but Memphis was going to beat the Spurs no matter what that season. They'd given them fits in the regular season and it continued in the playoffs.

This Mavs team is just playing lights out right now and the Spurs haven't punched back. They could have easily been up 2-1, despite all of their miscues, and if Pop ever figures out how to rotate his defensive assignments to play to his role players' strengths, the Mavs are toast. Falling down 3-1 would be a tremendous setback, obviously, but I don't think the 2011 Memphis series should indicate how this one will play out. This isn't about what the Mavs can do the frustrate the Spurs anymore, they solved the Dallas defensive strategy in the second half of Game 3. This is now about what the Spurs do to frustrate themselves. Make some changes to the approach and win Game 4.

[rascal]

No such thing as momentum from one game to another.

[alamo50]

Man up or go home.

GO SPURS GO!

[Virgil]

THERE YOU GO, SUCKERS CHICKENS FANS!!!!!