this 3-1 is no typical 3-1....

[nkdlunch]

Let's use a little bit of logic, and you will see we are not in such a bad position.

You've heard the dreaded 3-1, being down 3-1 and you have a 90+% chance of being eliminated. bla,bla,bla
That might be true, but it mostly doesn't apply in this series. Why?

First of all, in 3 out of the last 4 games, the Spurs outplayed the Mavs, plain and simple. Yes they lost 2 but it happens all the time in basketball, when one team plays better, but the other team wins, props to the mavs, homecourt and refs for that. But anyway truth is, Spurs are playing great.

2nd, we have the next 2 out of 3 games at home. Let's face it, Spurs will be -6+ favorite by vegas in game 5 and 7(if there is one). The only tough, tough game I see is game 6

3rd, the Mavs will have a very hard time closing us out. They will see all video clips form past 4 games and they will realize, we are the superior team, and the reigning champs. To close out the champs might be one of the toughest things to do in the NBA.

So.... up to this point, all Mavs have done is steal one game in San Antonio.... That won't happen again.

Let's face it, Mavs have stronger, bigger, faster and younger team. But Spurs have the experience and intelligence on their side. So who is it gonna be, brains or muscle??? it will balance out, so it will come down to who's hungrier????



I am calling it right now, game 5 is ours. I would be very,very,very shocked if mavs win game 5 in San Antonio. If they do, I promise I will be the first one in this board to come in and congratulate them. But that won't happen, so game 5 is ours. We just have to go back to Dallas and pull a shocker.




Realize, this is not a typical 3-1 series. Go Spurs!!!!!

[DDS4]

Game 5 is not a problem. So much, I don't think I'll be watching.

Game 6 is the nail-biter I wanna see. It will tell if the Spurs have the testicular fortitude I believe they have.

[td4mvp21]

I think we have a good chance at Game 5. I really do. It's game 6 that will be the ultimate series deciding factor. If the Mavs win, well obviously the series is over (unles they win Game 5). If we win, I like our chances in a Game 7. The crowd will be pumped as well as our players.

Remember, other defending champs have come back from 3-1 deficits. Why can't we do it?

[LEONARD]

The best team always wins in a 7 game series...just remember that Spurs fans :)

[Shank]

So.... up to this point, all Mavs have done is beaten down the defending champions so badly that all of their fans have become delusional dipshits....

There. Fixed it for you.

And a 22-point win isn't stealing.

[mavsfan1000]

So the mavs haven't proved yet they can win on the road? They outscored the spurs by 18 in the first 2 games. I think the mavs actually play looser on the road and get tight at home.

[greensborohill]

Mavs in 5

[menono]

....So.... up to this point, all Mavs have done is steal one game in San Antonio.... That won't happen again.


Uh, does the definition of "steal" include winning by 20? If the mavs won G1, then that would've been a steal, but G2 was not a steal.
I don't know!

[strangeweather]

The best team always wins in a 7 game series...just remember that Spurs fans :)

If the Mavs win the Best of 7 Series, they will be the better team.

The Mavs haven't won yet. Remember that, Mavs fans.

[Shank]

I liked the "little bit of logic" line with nothing but a Spurs slant following.

[Trainwreck2100]

So.... up to this point, all Mavs have done is beaten down the defending champions so badly that all of their fans have become delusional dipshits.........Not to be confused with the dipshits the Mavs fans have been since the series started



There. Fixed it for you.

And a 22-point win isn't stealing.

There, fixed it for you

[LEONARD]

If the Mavs win the Best of 7 Series, they will be the better team.

The Mavs haven't won yet. Remember that, Mavs fans.

Of course...I understand that...

But I have a feeling that if the Mavs win the series, that statement, which has been used for years, will be thrown out by Spurs fans...

[strangeweather]

Of course...I understand that...

But I have a feeling that if the Mavs win the series, that statement, which has been used for years, will be thrown out by Spurs fans...

Not by me. But one thing at a time.

[mabber]

Let's use a little bit of logic, and you will see we are not in such a bad position.

You've heard the dreaded 3-1, being down 3-1 and you have a 90+% chance of being eliminated. bla,bla,bla
That might be true, but it mostly doesn't apply in this series. Why?

First of all, in 3 out of the last 4 games, the Spurs outplayed the Mavs, plain and simple. Yes they lost 2 but it happens all the time in basketball, when one team plays better, but the other team wins, props to the mavs, homecourt and refs for that. But anyway truth is, Spurs are playing great.

2nd, we have the next 2 out of 3 games at home. Let's face it, Spurs will be -6+ favorite by vegas in game 5 and 7(if there is one). The only tough, tough game I see is game 6

3rd, the Mavs will have a very hard time closing us out. They will see all video clips form past 4 games and they will realize, we are the superior team, and the reigning champs. To close out the champs might be one of the toughest things to do in the NBA.

So.... up to this point, all Mavs have done is steal one game in San Antonio.... That won't happen again.

Let's face it, Mavs have stronger, bigger, faster and younger team. But Spurs have the experience and intelligence on their side. So who is it gonna be, brains or muscle??? it will balance out, so it will come down to who's hungrier????



I am calling it right now, game 5 is ours. I would be very,very,very shocked if mavs win game 5 in San Antonio. If they do, I promise I will be the first one in this board to come in and congratulate them. But that won't happen, so game 5 is ours. We just have to go back to Dallas and pull a shocker.




Realize, this is not a typical 3-1 series. Go Spurs!!!!!

I agree with most of this. Although, I don't think the Spurs are the superior team anymore. I think they are fairly equal and the Mavs have caught a couple of breaks or it could easily be 3-1 Spurs right now. I expect the Spurs to win tomorrow night at home and then anything can happen although I think it will be really difficult for the Spurs to win in Dallas on Friday night.

[greensborohill]

First of all, in 3 out of the last 4 games, the Spurs outplayed the Mavs, plain and simple.


??? How do you call adjusting to everything we have done and playing at our pace "outplaying us". You are the ones that have had to adjust to everything we do. You guys have had no answer and haven't been able to slow down the game so you've abandoned what brought you to the dance and have decided to beat us at our own game. How is that "outplaying us"

[Darrin]

I posted this in another thread, I thought that it applied. It's not an attempt to pile on, just some perspective on what you're asking this Spurs team to do:

Spurs NBA Playoff History (series deficit)
1977: Lose to Celtics (44-38) 2-0.
1978: Bullets (44-38) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 6.
1979: Spurs take a 3-1 series lead, lose to Bullets (54-28) in 7.
1980: Rockets (41-41) take a 1-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 3.
1981: Rockets (40-42) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 7.
1982: Lakers (57-25) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 4.
1983: Lakers (58-24) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off Spurs in 6.
1985: Nuggets (52-30) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 5.
1986: Lakers (62-20) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 3.
1988: Lakers (62-20) take 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 3.
1990: Blazers (59-23) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 7.
1991: Warriors (44-38) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 4.
1992: Suns (53-29) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 3.
1993: Suns (62-20) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 6.
1994: Jazz (53-29) take a 2-1 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 4.
1995: Rockets (47-35) take a 2-0 series lead, finish the Spurs off in 6.
1996: Jazz (55-27) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 6.
1998: Jazz (62-20) take a 2-0 series lead, finish off the Spurs in 5.
2000: Suns (53-23) take a 2-1 series lead, and finished off the Spurs in 4.
2001: Lakers (56-26) take a 2-0 series lead, and finish off the Spurs in 4.
2002: Lakers (58-24) take a 2-1 series lead, and finish off the Spurs in 5.
2003: Suns (44-38) take a 1-0 series lead, and Spurs win in 6.
2004: Lakers (56-26) take a 3-2 series lead, and finish off the Spurs in 6.
2005: Nuggets (49-33) take a 1-0 series lead, and Spurs win in 6.
2006: Mavericks (60-22) take a 2-1 series lead...????

You'll notice that the Spurs have never come back to advance when they have a deficit this late in the series.

[NoMoneyDown]

I agree with most of this. Although, I don't think the Spurs are the superior team anymore. I think they are fairly equal and the Mavs have caught a couple of breaks or it could easily be 3-1 Spurs right now. I expect the Spurs to win tomorrow night at home and then anything can happen although I think it will be really difficult for the Spurs to win in Dallas on Friday night.

Good post. Outside of G2, this series has been a nailbiter with only a play or two deciding the outcome in the end (e.g., the rebound going to Dirk for a putback in G3, Manu's butterfingers).

[clubalien]

didn't the suns beat the lakers when down 3-1?
keep in mind these games were very very close not huge blow outs

[Shank]

These teams are a level above the Suns and Lakers.

[td4mvp21]

I agree with most of this. Although, I don't think the Spurs are the superior team anymore. I think they are fairly equal and the Mavs have caught a couple of breaks or it could easily be 3-1 Spurs right now. I expect the Spurs to win tomorrow night at home and then anything can happen although I think it will be really difficult for the Spurs to win in Dallas on Friday night.

Thank you, for looking at it the right way. I think that is the best analysis I have seen from either side. It could be 3-1 Spurs, but it isn't. Usually if you're meant to win a series, you get breaks like that. Dallas will most likely win, but Spurs aren't out of it.

[mavsfan1000]

The spurs played well enough to win 2 games in a row. If they have an off game the season is over. The same could be said of the mavs on having an off game though they have 3 chances. I think they can win on the road to so it's not like they have only 1 chance.

[td4mvp3]

yeah, i'm not buying what most folks are selling on this board. we've outplayed them? and lost? the mavs have outrebounded the spurs and shot better from the line. for all the talk about the refs, if the spurs make a couple more key free throws, they win these last couple of games, and no one affects them on the line. and no one determines how much they hustle for a rebound. sadly, i think they're toast.

[spur219]

Not only are the Spurs taking game 5. They are taking the series. Come on if the Mavs beat the Spurs 3 times in a row. 2 of those games could of easily gone to the Spurs. What makes you think the Spurs can't beat the Mavs 3 times in a row with 2 of those being at home.

Spurs win series. I called it.

[greensborohill]

Not only are the Spurs taking game 5. They are taking the series. Come on if the Mavs beat the Spurs 3 times in a row. 2 of those games could of easily gone to the Spurs. What makes you think the Spurs can't beat the Mavs 3 times in a row with 2 of those being at home.

Spurs win series. I called it.


1. The Spurs are old
2. They are slow
3. They are unathletic
4. They are a poor rebounding team
5. Their transition defense is poor (b/c the Mavs are quicker)
6. They have been reactive to the Mavs and have abandoned lots of the things that helped them win 63 games
7. They are more and more becoming a jump shooting team (Barry, Fin, NVE, Bowen, Horry)
8. They can't play any of their bigs b/c Dallas will exploit them
9. They can't stop Dallas's dribble penetration to the lane (b/c the are slow)
10. They are playing Dallas's pace and can't dictate the pace at all
11. They're tired and worn down
12. Their "superior bench" has been cut to two or three players


Should I go on?

[horryhader]

One element of the original logic that was forgotten, Mavs have a better coach. Pop has been completely out coached except for the first game.

[spur219]

1. The Spurs are old
2. They are slow
3. They are unathletic
4. They are a poor rebounding team
5. Their transition defense is poor (b/c the Mavs are quicker)
6. They have been reactive to the Mavs and have abandoned lots of the things that helped them win 63 games
7. They are more and more becoming a jump shooting team (Barry, Fin, NVE, Bowen, Horry)
8. They can't play any of their bigs b/c Dallas will exploit them
9. They can't stop Dallas's dribble penetration to the lane (b/c the are slow)
10. They are playing Dallas's pace and can't dictate the pace at all
11. They're tired and worn down
12. Their "superior bench" has been cut to two or three players


Should I go on?


Yes please go on.

[Shank]

I'm thinking of a number between 1-100. You (SA) have 5 guesses to get it right. I'll give another guy (Dallas) 95 guesses.

Those are your odds.

[td4mvp21]

I'm thinking of a number between 1-100. You (SA) have 5 guesses to get it right. I'll give another guy (Dallas) 95 guesses.

Those are your odds.

It's ironic that our odds to win the series are the same as your's to win the Finals!

[Shank]

It's ironic that our odds to win the series are the same as your's to win the Finals!

What?

[td4mvp21]

What?

It's ironic that our odds to win the series are the same as your's to win the Finals!

[Spurminator]

These teams are very even. If the Mavs can win 3 straight then so can the Spurs. Get it done.

[J.T.]

Hasn't Detroit (in the Billups-Hamilton-Prince-Sheed-Ben era) come back from 1-3 a couple times? It's not impossible. We have to take it one game at a time. The Mavs are playing great, the Spurs are playing great. The last 2 games could've gone either way, the Mavs just executed better during crunchtime. Refs have sucked ass the whole series both ways, it just looks like the Spurs get shafted cuz Dallas has got back into the last 2 games and won because of foul shots.

If the Spurs want to win, they must return to their original lineup. We are getting killed by layups and And-1s. We need shotblocking, rebounding and interior defense, going small pretty much throws that strategy to the wolves. One game at a time. I think Spurs will win game 5, and then game 6 on Friday will quite possibly be one of the greatest playoff battles in NBA history.

[TheSpursAreEasy]

Uh, first of all, the Spurs did NOT outplay the Mavs in game 3. The Mavs had a double digit lead throughout pretty much the entire game. The Spurs just made it interesting at the VERY end. You dont make a game close at the end and claim you outplayed someone. By your logic, the Mavs outplayed the Spurs in game 4 because the Spurs had a good lead throughout up until the end of the game. Right?

Moron homer.

[Trainwreck2100]

Uh, first of all, the Spurs did NOT outplay the Mavs in game 3. The Mavs had a double digit lead throughout pretty much the entire game. The Spurs just made it interesting at the VERY end. You dont make a game close at the end and claim you outplayed someone. By your logic, the Mavs outplayed the Spurs in game 4 because the Spurs had a good lead throughout up until the end of the game. Right?

Moron homer.
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6808/owl27bh.jpg

[DuncanInYourFace]

Durrr, outscoring the mavs 3 out of 4 quarters is pretty close to outplaying them. Though granted that 1st quarter they had their head up their ass

[Darrin]

Hasn't Detroit (in the Billups-Hamilton-Prince-Sheed-Ben era) come back from 1-3 a couple times? It's not impossible.

No, it's not impossible and becoming more possible in terms of the odds since the first round went to seven games. 3-1 used to mean you won. The Pistons did it once. They beat a 42-win Orlando Magic team with little playoff experience.

But what you have to realize is that the Dallas Mavericks also did it last season. They know what it's like to have homecourt for 2 of the final 3 games, and to win all 3. If Avery isn't reminding them of that, he's a moron.


We have to take it one game at a time. The Mavs are playing great, the Spurs are playing great. The last 2 games could've gone either way, the Mavs just executed better during crunchtime.

That's the sign of an experienced, hungry team. Remember when the Spurs beat the Lakers? That's how the Mavs feel about the Spurs.


If the Spurs want to win, they must return to their original lineup. We are getting killed by layups and And-1s. We need shotblocking, rebounding and interior defense, going small pretty much throws that strategy to the wolves.

Agreed. The Spurs are playing the Mavericks game. They haven't controlled tempo. But to be honest, with exception to game 1 versus the Kings, have the Spurs controlled tempo much this postseason?

The Spurs can win this series. I just don't think it will serve the Spurs much if they do.

[CubanMustGo]

1. The Spurs are old
2. They are slow
3. They are unathletic
4. They are a poor rebounding team
5. Their transition defense is poor (b/c the Mavs are quicker)
6. They have been reactive to the Mavs and have abandoned lots of the things that helped them win 63 games
7. They are more and more becoming a jump shooting team (Barry, Fin, NVE, Bowen, Horry)
8. They can't play any of their bigs b/c Dallas will exploit them
9. They can't stop Dallas's dribble penetration to the lane (b/c the are slow)
10. They are playing Dallas's pace and can't dictate the pace at all
11. They're tired and worn down
12. Their "superior bench" has been cut to two or three players


Should I go on?


Wow, if we suck so bad you should have won both games at home by 20, right? That you coulda easily lost one or both should tell you that your opinions are far from truth.

[greensborohill]

It's ironic that our odds to win the series are the same as your's to win the Finals!


What?

[Trainwreck2100]

What?


http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6808/owl27bh.jpg

[td4mvp21]

What?

It's called ownage dumbass.

:owned

[J.T.]

:tu Darrin, good post.

Popovich has been outcoached by Adelman and Johnson so far. We had no answer for Wells and finally just nutted up and won that Game 5 (notice we did not shut Wells down in that, we were just more aggressive and made the right moves down the stretch). And now Popovich is playing right into Johnson's hand. He's been adjusting to the Mavericks for the entire fucking series. Pop, you have 3 championships and a COTY. You are better than this. Make the Mavs adjust to you.

I seriously hope he is saving some magic trump card for the next game, or has just been punking everyone with this small ball bullshit. But since the last two games have been so close, I don't really see him going big again.

[greensborohill]

Wow, if we suck so bad you should have won both games at home by 20, right? That you coulda easily lost one or both should tell you that your opinions are far from truth.

You guys are champions, you know what it takes to win games, there is no disputing that. But the things I listed are real concerns, you may not agree with some, but for you to refute all of it is just stupid.

[td4mvp21]

You guys are champions, you know what it takes to win games, there is no disputing that. But the things I listed are real concerns, you may not agree with some, but for you to refute all of it is just stupid.

You're a troll.

[T Park]

If the Spurs come back and win game 5. thats all the confidence they need.

They had the Mavericks beat in 2 straight games on the road, only to lose it at the end.

Do like Doc Rivers said the Suns had to against the Lakers.


Come home, focus on the game at home, and win that.


Go on the road, refocus, leave it on the floor and try and win that.

You win that one? You have a tremendous amount of momentum and the Mavs are reeling.


Spurs CAN do it. Will they?? ehhh.................

[greensborohill]

You're a troll.

Without a doubt

and your team is old and unathletic

[Jimcs50]

The Spurs can win the series, but he Spurs will really be in trouble if they lose game 5.

:)

[island_dude]

First of all, in 3 out of the last 4 games, the Spurs outplayed the Mavs, plain and simple.

How do you figure that? The Mavs have held the lead throughout every game except for last night. Remember in game one the Spurs didn't take the lead until late, and the outcome was decided on a missed last shot by Stackhouse. Doesn't sound like the Spurs have outplayed anyone in any games to me, except late in game one, but whatever makes ya feel better skippy!

[greensborohill]

It's called ownage dumbass.

:owned


What?

[Extra Stout]

The only possible edge the Spurs would have on the Mavs at this point is experience. But that typically would manifest itself as execution at the end of close games, and the Mavs have outexecuted the Spurs in the clutch.

Avery Johnson has done a good job of forcing the Spurs out of their comfort zone and neutralizing their experience advantage.

[TOP-CHERRY]

The Spurs can win the series, but he Spurs will really be in trouble if they lose game 5.

:)
Jim has a point.

[Extra Stout]

The Spurs can win the series, but he Spurs will really be in trouble if they lose game 5.

:)
No team has ever come back from a 1-4 deficit to win a best-of-7 series. Could the Spurs be the first?

[Jimcs50]

No team has ever come back from a 1-4 deficit to win a best-of-7 series. Could the Spurs be the first?

Only Dallas can come back from a 1-4 deficit, as Stern would deem that the series had to go best of 9 at that point, because the ratings would skyrocket and it is the right thing to do.

:spin

[DarkReign]

No team has ever come back from a 1-4 deficit to win a best-of-7 series. Could the Spurs be the first?

pwnd

[pussyface]

the Spurs are still CHAMPIONS. Honestly, the Dallas Mavericks do not impress me on any level. Our big 3 are each capable of taking over the game, have shown this, and are each better than anyone Dallas has. Michael Finley it out for blood!!!

Everything is pointing to a 20+ point Spurs blowout in Game 5...we will snatch Game 6 with our momentum and of course we cannot lose Game 7 at home.

Now, if only there wasn't a conspiracy involving the refs to keep us out of the WCF...

An another note, poll: better SA matchup for West Finals: Clips/Suns?

[Shank]

Is there a hopeless echo in here?

[Mavtek]

DENIAL??? Wow they better get some greif counselors down to SA ASAP!

[nkdlunch]

Bump!