Kori Ellis
04-15-2007, 01:04 AM
Spurs-Mavericks figures to be tamer showdown
Web Posted: 04/14/2007 10:02 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041507.01C.BKNspurs.mavs.2e5ae45.html
DALLAS — The Spurs and Dallas Mavericks play this afternoon at American Airlines Center, and while that's usually enough to get everyone's blood boiling, the latest chapter of their rivalry figures to inspire little more than a yawn or two.
When the NBA released its schedule back in August, today's game was supposed to be one of the jewels of the season. The Southwest Division title figured to be riding on the outcome and maybe even the Western Conference's No. 1 playoff seed.
So much for good intentions.
Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki will be in uniform. Bruce Bowen will bring his bear-hug defense; Josh Howard his pogo-stick legs. Mark Cuban might even have time to offer a fresh critique of San Antonio's water quality.
But with the Mavericks having siphoned much of the drama by securing the division title two weeks ago — or was it January? — today's game has become little more than a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. Depending on what happens, ABC could be treating the nation to that much-heralded J.J. Barea-Beno Udrih matchup by the fourth quarter.
Dallas coach Avery Johnson plans to have his regular players in uniform with the exception of starting center Erick Dampier, who has a strained right shoulder. But he also isn't expected to extend his stars' court time much past 25 minutes.
Unlike the Mavericks, the Spurs still have incentive to win. They began Saturday trailing the Phoenix Suns by two games for the No. 2 seed.
"We're in a position where we just have to go play," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Dallas could have the best of both worlds. They could put nobody out there and hope they win, and then supposedly, we're all depressed."
The Spurs are in much better spirits after winning 25 of their past 28 games, but their surge after the All-Star break has done little to cut into Dallas' lead. The Mavericks have put together winning streaks of 12, 13 and 17 games, and their 65 victories are a franchise record.
Dallas has been so strong for so long since starting the season 0-4 that the Spurs had all but conceded the division title two weeks before the All-Star Game.
"We had so many problems at the beginning of the season that we were more focused on us to try to improve as a team than to try to catch them," Tony Parker said. "They play very well all season long, so you have to give them credit.
"But (the best record) doesn't mean nothing. Detroit dominated the season last year, and they lost in the conference finals against Miami."
The Mavericks, however, are considerably deeper than last season's Pistons. Which is why the Spurs aren't overlooking today's game even if Johnson cuts back his starters' minutes.
"Whoever's there is going to take it as serious as anything else," Duncan said. "They're still the best in the league, and we still want to give the effort it deserves."
The Spurs expect to have Francisco Elson back today. He missed Friday's victory in Minnesota after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his sore left wrist but practiced without a problem Saturday.
Jacque Vaughn is questionable to play after spraining his right ankle Friday, but Popovich expects to have everyone else available. How long he plays his starters will be determined by how the game goes.
And if the game becomes a battle of benches? The Spurs are content to wait for their next true chance to unseat the Mavericks.
"It doesn't really matter," Robert Horry said. "The only way we'll play them is if we get to the Western Conference finals, so we just have to focus on ourselves and keep getting better."
Web Posted: 04/14/2007 10:02 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041507.01C.BKNspurs.mavs.2e5ae45.html
DALLAS — The Spurs and Dallas Mavericks play this afternoon at American Airlines Center, and while that's usually enough to get everyone's blood boiling, the latest chapter of their rivalry figures to inspire little more than a yawn or two.
When the NBA released its schedule back in August, today's game was supposed to be one of the jewels of the season. The Southwest Division title figured to be riding on the outcome and maybe even the Western Conference's No. 1 playoff seed.
So much for good intentions.
Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki will be in uniform. Bruce Bowen will bring his bear-hug defense; Josh Howard his pogo-stick legs. Mark Cuban might even have time to offer a fresh critique of San Antonio's water quality.
But with the Mavericks having siphoned much of the drama by securing the division title two weeks ago — or was it January? — today's game has become little more than a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. Depending on what happens, ABC could be treating the nation to that much-heralded J.J. Barea-Beno Udrih matchup by the fourth quarter.
Dallas coach Avery Johnson plans to have his regular players in uniform with the exception of starting center Erick Dampier, who has a strained right shoulder. But he also isn't expected to extend his stars' court time much past 25 minutes.
Unlike the Mavericks, the Spurs still have incentive to win. They began Saturday trailing the Phoenix Suns by two games for the No. 2 seed.
"We're in a position where we just have to go play," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Dallas could have the best of both worlds. They could put nobody out there and hope they win, and then supposedly, we're all depressed."
The Spurs are in much better spirits after winning 25 of their past 28 games, but their surge after the All-Star break has done little to cut into Dallas' lead. The Mavericks have put together winning streaks of 12, 13 and 17 games, and their 65 victories are a franchise record.
Dallas has been so strong for so long since starting the season 0-4 that the Spurs had all but conceded the division title two weeks before the All-Star Game.
"We had so many problems at the beginning of the season that we were more focused on us to try to improve as a team than to try to catch them," Tony Parker said. "They play very well all season long, so you have to give them credit.
"But (the best record) doesn't mean nothing. Detroit dominated the season last year, and they lost in the conference finals against Miami."
The Mavericks, however, are considerably deeper than last season's Pistons. Which is why the Spurs aren't overlooking today's game even if Johnson cuts back his starters' minutes.
"Whoever's there is going to take it as serious as anything else," Duncan said. "They're still the best in the league, and we still want to give the effort it deserves."
The Spurs expect to have Francisco Elson back today. He missed Friday's victory in Minnesota after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his sore left wrist but practiced without a problem Saturday.
Jacque Vaughn is questionable to play after spraining his right ankle Friday, but Popovich expects to have everyone else available. How long he plays his starters will be determined by how the game goes.
And if the game becomes a battle of benches? The Spurs are content to wait for their next true chance to unseat the Mavericks.
"It doesn't really matter," Robert Horry said. "The only way we'll play them is if we get to the Western Conference finals, so we just have to focus on ourselves and keep getting better."