The Obvious: Game 4 is Pivotal - winner wins series

[Blackjack]

Didn't Orlando in 2003 do it too? The infamous "I've always wanted to make it out of the first round" line by Tracy Mcgrady after game 4...

And Phoenix did the same to LA, IIRC. (Post-Shaq.)

[DPG21920]

This game will tell you a lot about the Spurs imo. The Mavs are going to come out playing with fire. If the Spurs can take the initial punch or even clamp them down from the start, that will go a long way to securing this series.

The Mavs seem ready to implode. Marion and Butler seem to be on edge and if the Spurs can come out and keep this one close, there will be a ton of pressure on the Mavs and they will have to trust each other.

[Seventyniner]

Impossible. They lost Game 5 to the Spurs in 2003 when the series was tied 2-2. http://www.nba.com/playoffs2003/round2_west1.html

Can't believe some Spurs fans missed that one.

I believe, though, that the stat is that the Lakers are 17-0 *at home* in game 5s when the series is tied 2-2.