Dallas 1st in SW?

[leemajors]

Well the mavs are more up tempo than the spurs so I don't see in this pace that they could ever give up 82 ppg. The spurs are more of a half court team and use up the shot clock while the mavs look to score quickly like in first 10 seconds of the shot clock.

that style doesn't cut it in the playoffs, just ask phoenix...

[DDS4]

Well the mavs are more up tempo than the spurs so I don't see in this pace that they could ever give up 82 ppg. The spurs are more of a half court team and use up the shot clock while the mavs look to score quickly like in first 10 seconds of the shot clock.

I guess you didn't watch the Western Conference Finals last year. The Spurs are more uptempo than you think.

[FromWayDowntown]

Well the mavs are more up tempo than the spurs so I don't see in this pace that they could ever give up 82 ppg. The spurs are more of a half court team and use up the shot clock while the mavs look to score quickly like in first 10 seconds of the shot clock.

That's funny. John Hollinger says that the Mavericks actually play at a slower pace (in terms of possessions per game) than the Spurs do. The Mavericks use 90.5 possessions per game; the Spurs use 91.

Hollinger Team Stats Sorted for Pace (see teams 22 and 23)

Hollinger's numbers also show that per 100 possessions, the Spurs give up about 6 points fewer than the Mavericks, which, remarkably, tracks almost exactly how those teams have played in their last 12 games.

Sorted for Defensive Efficiency

[Winnipeg_Spur]

With the Clippers getting back to their early season level of play, the SW crown may be even more crucial than before. Not only will the winner get HC in the second round, the loser will most likely play either a really good Clippers team or a Suns team (possibly with a healthy Amare) just to get there. Not a good scenario for a team with the second best record in the West.

[smeagol]

Well I've actually tried to watch spurs games but I lose interest quickly. Their style is not that interesting. Probably because they don't score a lot. Where do I prove to be a troll? That I have a lot of confidence in the mavs and they are exciting to watch?

Manu and Tony are exciting as it gets. The Spurs handle the ball like no other team in the NBA. If you are looking for flashy dunks and players showing their nipples after they score, then yeah, the Spurs are not that exciting.

But simply blabbing the "Spurs are boring" party line does not help your credibility around here (not to mention FWD is taking your ass to school).

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Well of course the Spurs aren't fun to watch. I'd hate watching any team leave handprints on my squad's butt.

[Solid D]

I smell some ownage.

[mavsfan1000]

that style doesn't cut it in the playoffs, just ask phoenix...

Dallas is much better defensively and rebounding than Phoenix.

[mavsfan1000]

The spurs will have no answer for Bosh. Too athletic for Duncan.

[FromWayDowntown]

The spurs will have no answer for Bosh. Too athletic for Duncan.

Which, of course, explains why Tim Duncan was 27/10/8 -- 2 assists short of a triple-double -- the last time these teams played, back in December.

You're right about the fact, though, that Bosh is a damned fine player and is a load for anyone to guard. It wouldn't surprise me if he played really well tonight.

[leemajors]

phoenix's defensive stats have improved just as much or maybe more than dallas'

[mavsfan1000]

phoenix's defensive stats have improved just as much or maybe more than dallas'

http://www.nba.com/statistics/sortab...able1.html#top

[dmac]

At 38-10 They Are No. 1 Right Now. The Lead May Swell After You Spursies Get Mangled By The Raptors!

are you sure about that?

[mavsfan1000]

are you sure about that?

I wouldn't be celebrating an overtime win against the craptors.

[FromWayDowntown]

I wouldn't be celebrating an overtime win against the craptors.

An overtime win against the Raptors where the Cuncan-less Spurs had to start Rasho Nestervic and Sean Marks as bigs in overtime? I'll take it.

It's not about aesthetics, its about the result.

[mavsfan1000]

Well Sean Marks had a career night and still they were lucky. If you can celebrate this win than you can any win.

[ducks]

I take this win considering manu one of the big three sucked ass where the other on duncan did not play
one of the big three played and won

[CubanMustGo]

Well Sean Marks had a career night and still they were lucky. If you can celebrate this win than you can any win.

So says a man whose FULL STRENGTH team had to go to OT to beat an equally bad Portland team. GMAFB already.

[mavsfan1000]

So says a man whose FULL STRENGTH team had to go to OT to beat an equally bad Portland team. GMAFB already.

How much research did it take for you to find that? The mavs have been dominating teams as of lately. The heat will be a tough game though. Shaq and Wade are a tough duo.

[101A]

How much research did it take for you to find that? The mavs have been dominating teams as of lately. The heat will be a tough game though. Shaq and Wade are a tough duo.

Portland game was just two weeks ago. Also, since then Mavs have had close calls against Memphis AND Chicago.

[dmac]

I wouldn't be celebrating an overtime win against the craptors.

They sure as didn't "Get Mangled By The Raptors!"

[FromWayDowntown]

Well Sean Marks had a career night and still they were lucky. If you can celebrate this win than you can any win.

I also don't think that you could characterize the at ude of the board to be celebratory after that game; there's a lot of relief and some happiness that the Spurs overcame some adversity to win a game that would have been a very bad loss.

It's not like Dallas boards where everyone is jumping up and down at being #1 in the power rankings, as if those mean anything.