Better team continues to win in this series
By Art Garcia, NBA.com
DALLAS -- As obvious as it appears, it's got to be hard to swallow for the Spurs. The Mavericks are just the better team right now.
This San Antonio squad isn't the one Gregg Popovich once envisioned going into the Playoffs a few months back, but that's old news. And to call this an "upset" if the sixth-seeded Mavericks close the deal next week wouldn't be fair to either side.
Relying on depth and athleticism over its stars, Dallas moved within a victory of the Western Conference semifinals by outlasting San Antonio 99-90 in methodical fashion Saturday afternoon. The Spurs' margin for error has evaporated after an outing that had to be more draining than the Game 3 wipeout.
How could it not be after Tim Duncan outscores Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry by himself? And when Tony Parker outscores Duncan by 18? The Spurs squeezed every ounce possible out of their two studs, while once again effectively shutting down Dallas' top-scoring duo.
But as Parker succinctly put it after racking up a career Playoff-high 43 points: "They had all different guys making plays for them."
There lies the difference in the series. For all the adjustments dictated by the Mavericks through four games, San Antonio simply doesn't have the horses. Dallas can survive with Dirk Decoy taking just nine shots, a grounded Jet and by shooting less than 40 percent.
The list of Maverick contributors in Game 4 started with Josh Howard, the game's high-scorer (28) who offensively keyed a third-quarter charge that erased a sloppy end to the second quarter that led to a 55-51 halftime deficit.
"It was a collective group effort, everyone giving it their all," said Howard, author of two games of at least 25 points in the series. "We know what they want to do with Jet and Dirk."
The rest of the Mavericks took it from there. Jason Kidd had an impact that went beyond seven assists, seven rebounds and an out-of-character 17 points. Erick Dampier, J.J. Barea and Antoine Wright picked their spots. Little-used backup center Ryan Hollins turned in an over-the-top 19-minute stint of eight rebounds, three blocks and a fist-pumping technical.
But Dallas didn't overwhelm as much as wear down the Spurs. The Mavericks overcame 38-percent shooting and a 21-9 difference in points off turnovers by dominating the glass and getting to the line.
"We kept trying to plug along and stick with the gameplan," Kidd said.
Lost on the stat sheet was the job Kidd did against Parker in the second half, when San Antonio's do-it-all quarterback found the defense not as inviting. Kidd was better able to stay in front of Parker, while Dallas' help defenders upped their aggressiveness when he got into the lane.
After carving up the Mavericks for 31 points in the first two quarters, Parker managed just 12 -- the same as Kidd -- after the break. Parker admitted tiring down the stretch, which probably had something to do with two missed free throws with San Antonio down just five (92-87) with about four minutes left.
"Tony was unbelievable," Duncan said scoring 25 and grabbing 10 boards. "He really kept us in it. We just hate to have an effort like that go to waste."
While the Spurs have no choice but to have Parker lift mountains, his single-mindedness also comes with a price. In the two games in San Antonio, Parker had eight assists in each. He has five total since, including just three in Game 4.
Duncan played the part of facilitator with seven assists, though most went to Parker. Their two-man game is just a cover for San Antonio being a two-man team. Popovich went looking for more, including going with a rookie (George Hill) that he previously deemed unready for the Playoffs for the entire fourth quarter. The other eight Spurs that played combined for 22 points -- the same as Nowitzki and Terry. The Mavericks' other eight trumped Tony and Timmy.
"It's obvious that's what we need to do," Popovich said. "Those guys have to have the ball as much as possible to score. Sure, we hope that other people step up and make shots and make plays.
"It didn't happen enough."
So the Spurs are left facing, at best, three straight elimination games. The first is Tuesday night back on their home turf.
"We've got to [win] or we go home," Duncan said. "There's no two ways about it. There's no magic answer to that. We're going to go home here and we're going to try to win that one at home, and come back here and do the same."
The Mavericks knew after Thursday's rout that the Spurs weren't going to roll over Saturday, and the visitors competed like a team that had its manhood called into question. San Antonio took an early nine-point lead and went into the half 24 minutes shy of a 2-2 series tie.
Instead, it's 3-1. Even though they're the No. 3 seeds, internally the Spurs didn't have any illusions of what they were facing going into this series. Getting past Dallas would be a feat in a season sidetracked by injuries.
"They're not going anywhere," Kidd reminded. "They are going to show up and give us their best game on Tuesday. For us, we have to understand that, and understand it's going to be a tough environment.
"It's not easy to put a team away, especially a team that has won championships."
The Mavericks aren't facing that team. The Spurs know that, too.
Wow. They're so busy ing in their pants that they don't even realize they are beating a short handed team. I have an idea, take out josh howard or even "the jet" and then we'll call it a series. Until then, why don't you realize that you're a half ass franchise whose only accomplishment is a conference championship trophy.
You wanna redo 2003?Wow. They're so busy ing in their pants that they don't even realize they are beating a short handed team. I have an idea, take out josh howard or even "the jet" and then we'll call it a series. Until then, why don't you realize that you're a half ass franchise whose only accomplishment is a conference championship trophy.
Last time I checked dirk got injured DURING the series, not before the playoffs even started.
What a ridiculous argument. He got hurt in Game 3, before the Spurs had any kind of advantage.
oh well tough crackers. i'm not going to cry about it - injuries are a part of it. dirk got hurt and we won the series.
truthfully this is more about the mismanagement of our roster than injuries. even with ginobili we are not a championship team.
to have dallas fans in here taunting us is laughable. what the has their ty team ever accomplished?
right above that he says how TP scored 43, and then he says Howard had the game highThe list of Maverick contributors in Game 4 started with Josh Howard, the game's high-scorer (28) who offensively keyed a third-quarter charge that erased a sloppy end to the second quarter that led to a 55-51 halftime deficit.
lol...Here's to your conference championship
Good post. The spurs front office just did a poor job getting the surrounding talent to give the spurs a real chance. No true frontline starter and relying on guys who are at best limited backups.
Pop is so against getting players with some athleticism and rather get guys who stand around the 3 point arc. That won't cut it anymore.
Hard to argue this article.
This pisses me off, why do you want Parker to keep passing to brick layers? He had to carry them otherwise it would be a blowout by 50+
If Parker doesn't score he's weak mentally (according to Johnny ing Ludden), if he scores he a selfish bas that needs to pass. What do people want from him?
Wow. They're so busy ing in their pants that they don't even realize they are beating a short handed team. I have an idea, take out josh howard or even "the jet" and then we'll call it a series. Until then, why don't you realize that you're a half ass franchise whose only accomplishment is a conference championship trophy.
Boo hoo. Want to whine some more?
so, I take it you didn't read the article
Spurs had control of that damn game one and blew it, they were basically up 2-1 when he got hurt, that game was almost over with and SA was going to win that game. I still say the Spurs were the best team that year because of Tim Duncan, he was playing on a different level than anyone that year and they went out on top which was likely even with Dirk. I know if I use Manu as an excuse now though people will just bring up the Dirk thing again, so I stear clear of it and just let it day and it is what it is (SA won in 03 you guys likely now). Does Manu being out hurt? yeah it hurts, he is their clutch guy who makes plays late and can slash and get to the line when things die out there, but he is out and thats that.
Are you trying to say that the Mavettes would have gone on to win the NBA Championship???
Sorry but, your team had its chance in 2006 and failed miserably. In the years where we didn't win it all during the Duncan era we always had a key starter out with injuries, i.e., Timmy, Manu (twice now), etc. So go cry on somebody else's shoulder because you'll get no sympathy from me. It is all moot anyway because as long as Kobe & Gasol stay healthy nobody is getting past the Lakers in the West and I doubt even the Lakers can get past the Cavs if they keep playing as good as they have been.
But, I understand the burning desire of Mavette fans to win this series so they can tell themselves that they are champs in their little world. So go for the gusto!
LOL at the handle. Nice.
Exaaaaactly...thats what cracks me up about the Mavs and fans...emotionally, beating the Spurs IS their championship...to me that was part of their downfall in '06...they were sooooo happy to beat the Spurs they thought their work was done....go ahead...start planning your parade again Dallas...Wow. They're so busy ing in their pants that they don't even realize they are beating a short handed team. I have an idea, take out josh howard or even "the jet" and then we'll call it a series. Until then, why don't you realize that you're a half ass franchise whose only accomplishment is a conference championship trophy.
happens... the end.
Even though they played the Suns in the WCF after beating San Antonio?
And two whole games against the Heat.
Incredible. Zero mention of Manu. The writer brags about beating a 2 man team, but fails to realize they would lose to a 3 man team. I am really looking forward to his articles should the Mavs advance to play the Nuggets.
while the spurs were on there way of stealing homecourt from the mavs in game 3 anyways
The guy speaks the truth. Dallas is the team of destiny now.
Lest Spurs fans get too down, as bad as the Spurs have been in this series, and they have been really bad, the difference in the series is sitting behind the bench in a suit.
Why don't you ride a ing unicorn off into the gay sunset where destiny bestows failed playoff attempts.The guy speaks the truth. Dallas is the team of destiny now.
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