San Antonio (2-0) at Dallas (1-1)
San Antonio (2-0) at Dallas (1-1)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 8:30 pm EST Sat Nov 5, 2005
TV: KENS, KTXA Add to Calendar
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Dallas and San Antonio have been two of the most successful regular-season teams in the NBA over the last five seasons. But the Spurs have always beaten the Mavericks when it mattered most.
The Mavericks will look to begin reversing that trend when they host the Spurs in their home opener.
Dallas and San Antonio are two of only three teams, along with Sacramento, to win 50 or more games in each of the last five seasons. However, the Mavericks have lost four of their last five regular season matchups with the Spurs after winning the previous four.
The defending NBA champion Spurs have also dominated the Mavericks in the postseason, knocking Dallas out in the conference finals in 2003 and in the semifinals in 2001. San Antonio also won the NBA Finals in 2003 and 1999.
The Mavericks beat the Spurs 104-68 on April 7 in the most recent meeting between the teams, but star San Antonio forward Tim Duncan did not play. The Spurs' 68 points matched a Dallas franchise low for points by an opponent.
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San Antonio won its second straight to start the season Friday, beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-76. Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Bruce Bowen added 12 points and helped hold James to just 10 points over the final three quarters.
``First half, we kind of played terrible defense, gave them wide-open shots,'' said Tony Parker, who had 18 points and eight assists. ``The second half, we matched their energy. Every time they tried to penetrate, everyone was in good position.''
The Spurs are playing their first game on the road this season.
The Mavericks are coming off their first loss of the season, a 93-82 defeat to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Jason Terry had a team-high 21 points, but scored just two after halftime for Dallas, which was coming off a 111-108 double-overtime win at Phoenix the night before.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points and Josh Howard added 11 for Dallas.
``They were more physical. They rebounded stronger and they had a presence about themselves and we didn't,'' coach Avery Johnson said. ``I think we battled. I don't want to make any excuses and say we ran out of gas or anything like that. This is the NBA.''
STANDINGS (through Nov. 4): Spurs - 1st place, Southwest Division. Mavericks - 3rd place (tied), 1 GB, Southwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Spurs - F Bowen, F Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Parker, G Manu Ginobili. Mavericks - F Josh Howard, F Nowitzki, C Erick Dampier, G Terry, G Doug Christie.
TEAM LEADERS: Spurs - Parker, 22 ppg and 5.5 apg; Duncan, 10 rpg. Mavericks - Nowitzki and Terry, 22 ppg; Nowitzki, 10.5 rpg; three tied with 2.5 apg.
2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Spurs, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: April 7; Mavericks, 104-68. At Dallas, Keith Van Horn scored 17 points and Nowitzki added 16 for the Mavs.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Spurs - 0-0 on the road; Mavericks - 0-0 at home.
"I don't want to make any excuses and say we ran out of gas or anything like that. This is the NBA.'' - AJ
you're making an excuse right there, if you dont want any excuses dont give any examples of excuses. he sounds just like he did when he was a player
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