Spurs-Mavs Game 2 Live Blog

[Findog]

[Findog]

I won't be on Spurstalk during the game, since I'm a supers ious sort and they won Game 1 when I wasn't near a computer.

Things I expect to see tonight: The Spurs will mix up their coverages, sometimes playing Dirk straight up and sometimes doubling him. The doubles will come earlier tonight since Pop won't want him to get into a rhythm, whereas on Sunday he didn't want the other Dallas players getting into a rhythm and getting hot. If McDyess can stay out of foul trouble, he gives the Spurs the best chance at keeping Dirk from beast mode.

They will play Blair more - they don't really have a choice. With Hill injured or limited, they don't have as much depth as we do. Pop will have to overcome his aversion to playing rookies. The Spurs are at a huge rebounding disadvantage in this series if they don't play Blair more. I think overall the Spurs will play with more energy and desperation - going down 0-2 will be pretty bad for their chances, since Dallas can win at the AT&T Center and they're not beating us 4 out of 5.

Jason Terry will need to step the up - he's going to get more open looks tonight as a result of doubles on Dirk and he needs to knock them down. JJ Barea needs to make a ing shot now and then too - he's a complete liability on defense, but he will also need to step up on offense to counter the renewed pressure on Dirk.

The Mavs are going to have to step their game up because the Spurs are playing with their backs to the wall and want to avoid 0-2 at all costs.

[Fpoonsie]

Yeah, from the Spurs' side of things, while early doubles on Dirk are prolly unavoidable, they can't afford to let Terry hit a couple in a row early on in tha game. For all of his poor shooting lately, all he needs is a few baskets to fall to get into one of his infuriating, arms-spread-wide-causing streaks.

The more I think about this series, the more matchup problems I see, and the more depressed I become.

I NEVER wanted to see DAL this year. I didn't expect a 'chip or anything anyways, so not getting put out by the Mavs two years in a row didn't seem like that much to ask for.

Pop.

[Blake]

The Mavs are going to have to step their game up because the Spurs are playing with their backs to the wall and want to avoid 0-2 at all costs.

na, if the Spurs come back home down 0-2, then it's just the Mavs protecting the home court as scheduled.

If the Spurs can go into game 5 with the series tied 2-2, then the series starts over as a best of 3.

[Findog]

na, if the Spurs come back home down 0-2, then it's just the Mavs protecting the home court as scheduled.

If the Spurs can go into game 5 with the series tied 2-2, then the series starts over as a best of 3.

The Mavs have now won 9 of their last 11 against San Antonio. I just think from a momentum and confidence perspective, it's not good to go down 0-2.

[Giuseppe]

This goes to the Spurs tonite. One of their specials.

[j.dizzle]

Nobody feels very confident about their chances going down 0-2 in a series..That means you have to win the next 4 out 5 which is pretty damn hard..That said, look for SA to go all out today..I think it'll be a close one, kind of like the Utah/Denver & OKC/LA game 2's.

[Ghazi]

Surprised the league didn't throw Dan Crawford out there for this one.

I guess they're rooting for the Mavs .

[Ghazi]

Popovich send a bad psychological message to his team in the 3rd quarter with a hack a damp

"we're the inferior team and have to resort to gimmick ass lame tricks to give ourselves a chance"

LMAO Pop damaging his teams fragile psyche

Doesnt help calling his teams dogs either... although they are

[Findog]

Popovich send a bad psychological message to his team in the 3rd quarter with a hack a damp

"we're the inferior team and have to resort to gimmick ass lame tricks to give ourselves a chance"

LMAO Pop damaging his teams fragile psyche

Doesnt help calling his teams dogs either... although they are

Eh, I think it was more of embarrassing his guys into playing better. Don't get too y, I am still fully expecting a 7-game series.

[dirk4mvp]

The JET will be on the runway. Big time 3 in game 1 that basically sealed the deal. Hopefully he contributes more tonight.

[Giuseppe]

Don't get too y

Stay humble!

[anonoftheinternets]

Popovich send a bad psychological message to his team in the 3rd quarter with a hack a damp

"we're the inferior team and have to resort to gimmick ass lame tricks to give ourselves a chance"

LMAO Pop damaging his teams fragile psyche

Doesnt help calling his teams dogs either... although they are

i dont think you should be celebrating just yet. .. might be prudent to wait and watch.

[Fpoonsie]

The JET will be on the runway. Big time 3 in game 1 that basically sealed the deal. Hopefully he contributes more tonight.

[clambake]

mavs aren't winning a le this year, so, i'd like to see the spurs play well, and then roddy will get to play.

[nkdlunch]

Like I been saying. Kidd is the one with the brains and balls in that team. I will not be surprised if they sweep the SPurs and it would all be thanks to Kidd.

that being said. Spurs gonna play better than game 1 for sure. And if Hill gets healthy, this series is going to be looong.

I am sticking to Spurs in 7.

[Lukor]

The JET will be on the runway. Big time 3 in game 1 that basically sealed the deal. Hopefully he contributes more tonight.

Unfortunately the Jet has trouble locating the runway lately.

[clambake]

mavs are going to be brick masons tonight.

[nkdlunch]

Unfortunately the Jet has trouble locating the runway lately.

the jet got volcanic ash in his engines

[AnthonyM]

I think the Spurs need to keep McDyess on Dirk for as long as possible. I know Pop doesn't want to tire him out, but it's now or never right now.

I expect him to throw doubles at Dirk early since playing him straight up didn't work last game. If we double too hard or when Dirk is too far out, it could spell big problems for the Spurs if Terry or Kidd get going.

A lot of matchup problems for the Spurs but when they play their best game, they're tough for any team to beat. Hopefully, they can keep Dallas in check for the first half and not let them get into rhythm, and then when Dallas goes on a run in the 3rd, hopefully we have enough of a lead to weather the storm.

Easier said than done.

[Frenzy]

Oh and let's not have a billion turn overs.

[Findog]

George Hill will play tonight:

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archi...r-tonight.html

Perhaps a 3-guard lineup of Hill, Tony and Manu together?

[Phillip]

I think the Spurs need to keep McDyess on Dirk for as long as possible. I know Pop doesn't want to tire him out, but it's now or never right now.

I don't think its a matter of tiring Dice out. It's that he gets in foul trouble too quickly. He bites on every fake Dirk puts up, and is too small and slow to stick with Dirk when he gets in triple threat position.

[Findog]

I don't think its a matter of tiring Dice out. It's that he gets in foul trouble too quickly. He bites on every fake Dirk puts up, and is too small and slow to stick with Dirk when he gets in triple threat position.

4 fouls in 23 minutes on Sunday. Hopefully that keeps up, since he's their best 1-on-1 option for checking Dirk.

[Muser]

If Hill can play at the level he has before Derek Fisher and a ing camera man injured him then the Spurs have a damn good chance IMO.