Tuesday, April 27th, 2010...12:42 pm
Fear of the unknown: San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks - Game 5
A week and a half ago, who thought we’d be here, with the San Antonio Spurs up 3-1 on the Dallas Mavericks and looking to close out the series tonight? Who really thought the Spurs would execute on the offensive and defensive end for three straight games to put the Mavs on life support? Who thought Keith Bogans and Roger Mason Jr. would only play a combined 38 total minutes in four games?
Liars.
Truth is, no one really expected what has transpired. I’m not all that surprised, frankly. We knew this team had it in them. There were signs that the Spurs could do damage in the postseason.
But they hadn’t shown it this season. At least, not on a consistent basis.
Until now.
So what do we expect tonight? Who knows. I can see the Spurs winning a close one to finish off the series, and I can see them losing a close one and heading back to San Antonio for Game 6. I can see the Mavericks coming out desperate and energized in front of their home crowd and winning big. I can see the Spurs taking it to them early and Dallas lying down and losing in embarrassing fashion. Everything is in play here.
But know this - since 2003, the Spurs are 5-1 in Game 5′s when they have a 3-1 series lead. The one loss was back in 2003 when the Spurs lost Game 5 at home to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. So there’s that.
A major factor in the game will be what unsung hero jumps into the spotlight tonight. In his pregame media session before Game 4, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said, “Every game is different. Different players step up. Caron [Butler] was really big in Game 1, Richard [Jefferson] was really big in Game 2; who knows who it will be tonight.”
That night it ended up being George Hill, whose 29 points made up for somewhat disappointing nights from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, but not enough can be said about the contributions from Antonio McDyess, Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair.
So who will it be tonight?
Either way, enjoy this game for what it could be. It’s not far-fetched to think that this could be the last time the Spurs and Mavericks meet as rivals. If the Spurs win tonight, no one knows what Mark Cuban might do to his roster. And the possibility that these two franchises might not meet in the playoffs in the near future is a very real possibility.
So enjoy it. Enjoy the passion of both fan bases and the (hopefully) respectful hatred directed at one another. Enjoy the greatness of Dirk Nowitzki, no matter how much you may like to insult him.
And if the Mavericks win tonight? Well, we’ll do it all over again on Thursday night.
75 Comments
April 27th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I didn’t expect this type of Game 5. That’s for sure.
You’re right. It could go either one of those ways.
I think the SPURS just have to execute and not turn the ball over. That’s how they lost game 1.
How about BLAIR having a big night? I think he is finally over the rookie jitters.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Actually Andrew, if you look back on my facebook I put Spurs in 5, haha.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I see this being a close win for San Antonio. Dallas will come out playing with a sense of urgency for their fans, like it was mentioned in the article, but I think the Spurs experience and focus will ultimately lead to a close Spurs win.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I wish I could watch this game, but I have homework to do. Luckily this is the last game that I will miss.
April 27th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
“the respectful hatred directed at one another.”
You couldn’t have been there for Game 5 last year. Tons of Mavs fans standing over the escalators to the lower level yelling at the Spurs fans. Seeing fights between Spurs and Mavs fans in the parking lot as fans yelled back and forth to each other.
For the first Mavs game this season, a group of Mavs fans (one of which wore a Mavs flag as a cape, another wearing a German flag as a cape) sat behind us. The guy next to us would have fought them over being repeatedly spit on had a very “rough” Spurs fan not put the “frat” boys in their place.
I have to admit that the Mavs fans I’ve seen at games 3 and 4 have been less obscene, but we won both of those games. A co-worker and Rockets fan has similar stories about Mavs fans though. We both can’t stand them. That is what makes this rivalry so great though.
Then we all root for the Cowboys in the Fall.
April 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I’ll raise my hand as someone who thought they’d be up 3-1, though I thought this would start with a victory in game 1. It’s not a surprise or shock. That they won last game with the Big-3 scoring as they did is more a pleasant surprise and reminder of how improved this roster is from last post-season, which is why I expected the Spurs to be in this position.
Barring foul trouble, tonight is likely to be a team effort since everyone who plays significant minutes is in rhythm and has confidence in their respective games. Historically, closing out a game or series on the road will have the finger-prints of defense, Duncan and Manu. I’ll feel comfortable if the game is in their hands late.
April 27th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
If the team is able to handle the initial pressure and can keep the ballgame close, then the pressure should go on Mav’s shoulders, and these guys would have trouble handling it. Then, the game can be in our side. (At least, I´m hoping this scenario!)
April 27th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
This team is phenomenal better than I expected they would be at this point. But we still have to finish the job. We won 3 straight, which means Dallas can win three straight. We also have a lot of work to do if we are to go against the other teams in this conference.
Win it tonight, rest up, and find a way to make some 3′s!
April 27th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Spurs gotta take the haymakers early and keep the game close. Then in the fourth ratchet up the D and make the Mavs nervous. We all know how Cubana’s Crew handles pressure…
C’mon you Spurs!!
April 27th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Is anyone else pissed that the game is on NBA TV?
April 27th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
@TradeTP Crap! That means I have to watch the local (Dallas) broadcast with their awful home announcers. Followell is not great, the other guy is such a homer!
I hope the Mavs get down by enough to get the home crowd to boo them, and then just fold.
April 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@TradeTP
I just saw that. It makes me sad.
In other news, the league decided not to suspend Najera this game. http://espn.go.com/blog/dallasmavericks/post/_/id/4668686/no-further-punishment-for-najera If he comes in and roughs up a Spur again…
April 27th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
@Jordan
Homework?!?!
Get your priorities straight!
April 27th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I thought we’d win the series but never did I think we’d win 3 games in a row.
What I hope happens tonight is that the Mavs come out with their fans super juiced up and land huge haymakers on us in the 1st and we repsond by punching back…. hard. Then the Mavs open up a big can of quit. That would be an ideal scenario giving TD some rest in the 4th with lots of pans to Cuban’s face totally po’d that they lost the series. I really hope we don’t come out flat. We need as much rest between series as possible. I didn’t like TD’s legs last game. Get that man some R&R Spurs!
April 27th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I don’t think anyone is as mad as I am that the game is on NBA TV. I just moved and finally got my cable set up yesterday, specifically so I could watch the game tonight! Oh well. Actually, I guess one other person will be as mad as I am that the game is on NBA TV. My wife, when I come home drunk ’cause I had to watch at the bar.
Go Spurs!
April 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
comment out of nowhere. David Robinson still looks like he could still give you a solid 15-20 minutes a game. And I kind of want that to happen. Silly yes. Fun to think about also yes.
April 27th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Must win in my book. But then again, this is the Mavs. Dirk isn’t tough enough to overcome this adversity.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I feel nothing but genuine respect for Dirk Nowitzki. I’d always consider him as one of the best power forwards in the history of the game, and I’d place him in the same level as Timmy, Kevin McHale and Charles Barkley.
The same is true with Mark Cuban. We hate him with passion - but just because he’s the biggest Mavs fan, but nothing else. Man, if I were not love with Holt (and the Spurs), I’d love for him to be on my side.
But that’s rivalry. It’s probably the same hatred the 1980s Lakers felt for the 1980s Celtics. Magic and Bird have the same hatred for each other, but the respect for each other is undeniable and was/is/will ever be greater than the rivalry.
I’m a solid Spurs fan, and like every one of them, I hate the Mavs with genuine passion, but the enormous respect is there. When Duncan and Dirk are already retired “old men” (probably guiding the new generation of NBA players), I’m pretty sure they’ll look back at all these and say, “Man, we really showed ‘em.”
And man, they’re really showing us.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I thought that we would win the series. But I didnt think we woyuld be up 3-1. I did want us to play the Mavs though because I though they were the most vulnerable team(other than Denver) heading into the playoffs.
What Dirk is going through now is exactly what Parker had to go through last series. Scoring but with no help from his teammates. I do feel for him though, because he’s had a great career and all he wants i just to win a championship ring. He’s just never had the right players around him. Anyway i do respect Dirk, but I do hate the Mavs, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t.
You cannot have any kind of respect for Cuban outside of the fact that he has done everything in the power of his walet to amass a good roster in Dallas. Other than that I hate him, he’s got some personality issues and it shouldnt be so for the owner of any organization.
All that being said I’m skeptical in guaranteeing a win for this game. The last couple games have been close. And we’re going to have to have a near perfect game to win. Remember we alomost did this to Dallas in 2006, so lets end this series as quick as possible
April 27th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I’ve been calling Spurs in 5 since we knew the matchup. I just think its fun to know if Dirk wasnt near perfect in game 1 we would have swept them.
We still arent playing to our potential. RJ, Blair, and Tony still have room to improve. The rest of the west should be scared, for this year and next.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Haha… I agree with Johnny’s comments on the Admiral - the guy still looks like a total force. Actually looks younger than Greg Oden. It’s a shame he had back problems later in his career - but he went out on top.
Tonight’s game is important - got to drop the hammer on them, Dallas will be emotional and that can go either way. Haywood is a headcase and so is Marion so if they rack up early fouls or their shots don’t drop they’ll be non factors. Dirk will still get his points … the main X factor for me is you gotta contain Jason Kidd - he hits a surprising amount of threes late in games, especially at home.
Go Spurs Go!
April 27th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
This game will come down to the basics:
(1) Which team comes out with the most energy & defensive intensity.
(2) Which team limits their turnovers.
(3) Which team crashes the offensive & defensive boards.
(4) Which team scraps for the most loose balls.
(5) Which team hits the clutch shots.
Whichever team succeeds in the majority of these basic categories will win.
Go Spurs!
April 27th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
By the way, Rey - great post. I’ve got nothing but respect for Dirk Nowitski too, the man is all class. Natural to hate him and the Mavs but you must respect him as one of the best shooting forwards of all time and a worthy opponent for mighty Tim Duncan over the last decade.
As for Cuban, love him or hate him - you have to say he’s a true fan of the game and has done everything he can for his team. Shame you can’t say that about clowns like Donald Sterling.
April 27th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I see tony exploding for 30ish points tonight
April 27th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Hey guys, just stick with hating the Mavs. It’s game day! There’s plenty of time for respect later. I say no more nice words, at least until the series is over. Don’t forget, it isn’t actually over! I just hope our players aren’t thinking the same way some of you are!
April 27th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Whining azz Mavs will probably start like gangbusters, but if the Spurs can keep it at no more than a single digit lead during the adrenaline phase, the surge will pass, and reality will set in.
If the Spurs build a lead anytime from late third quarter thru end of game, and have the same type of defensive intensity, Mavs will panic and unravel. Game Over.
As I sit here with tape on my nose….
Love B-ch slapping the Mavs….It just tastes unusually good to me……
Is that wrong?
April 27th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I don’t see us losing when we won a game that manu was 3-13 and tim 1-9
April 27th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I had it in six games, but will gladly take it if they wrap it up tonight - or morning if you’re watching the match in the Philippines.
April 27th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I pity Dirk . ..maybe he shud ask to be traded to the Spurs
April 27th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I’m a Pitt fan, DB is from Pittsburgh, he is a joy to watch playing with the big smile on his face, and I hope he gets more time. Remember the last regular season game: 27 points & 23 rebounds.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
What is RJ doing?! He has NO shot attempts in 9 freaking minutes, almost the end of the first quarter! GET WITH IT!!!!!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Why is Mason in the game?! He has NO shot anymore, and in two minutes he’s already given up a layup, and fouled Terry in the act to prevent a layup! WHY?!!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
NBA TV is pathetic… do they use volunteer commentators? Obviously they are all over the jock of most Mavs. I also did not appreciate the cut to commercial while the game continued. NBA and the Mavs both suck.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Just thought I would point out that this is why Blair doesn’t play more. I counted three buckets that he was responsible for giving up because of poor rotations, four fouls, and nothing on offense
April 27th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I think Pop is throwing this game - I saw a Mason, Parker, Bonner, Blair lineup - does anyone in that group play defense? Unsurprisingly, the Mavs reeled off their easiest stretch of the series.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Pop is giving this game away
April 27th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Are you guys serious?! Nobody gives a game in the playoffs away! NOBODY!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I think the officials are also forcing the Spurs to throw the game. Bith teams are fowling but the calls are favoring the home team more than usual
April 27th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Can’t win a game playing Roger Mason when Ginobili had 2 fouls. Can’t do it.
Garret Temple maybe, Roger Mason NO.
How many passes are the Spurs going to make directly to Jason Kidd? McDyess, Mason, and Ginobili have literally handed him the ball with a pass, when he is right beside them!. Stop it! The Mavs have scored layups off every turnover directly to Kidd.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Normally I would agree - especially about Popovich. I was being facetious, but is that seriously a lineup we want to roll out with on the road in the playoffs? I can live with Bonner/Blair combo - Bonner’s help defense covers Blair’s problem with rotations and Blair covers for Bonner’s inability inside. Parker is usually a net positive, especially if he’s not having to guard the better perimeter player. But Mason? Really? Hill or Jefferson couldn’t have played a few extra minutes?
April 27th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Also, would it kill the team to work off of Duncan a little bit in some of these droughts?
April 27th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
They’re getting outplayed in every phase of the game:
- Trounced on the boards
- Turnover-happy
- Lax “D”
- Not controlling the tempo
- Out-shot
Good luck if they don’t get that shit corrected SOON!
THIS SERIES IS NOT OVER UNTIL ONE TEAM WINS FOUR GAMES!
We should be playing this game as if it’s an elimination game FOR US!
Hey, RJ took his first shot with 2 minutes left in the half.
RIDICULOUS!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
mason just missed a wide open Jefferson streaking down the lane. Though I don’t know that I want Mason doing anything but making easy passes.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
LOL pop was giving this game away but I also said that that was the game tony explodes! both happening
April 27th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Tony Parker got us back in the game. If Spurs cut down on the layups by the Mavericks in the 2nd half, the Spurs have a chance.
Najera should have been ejected for that left-handed attempt to scratch out Parker’s eyes and then the right-handed attempt to scratch out Parker’s eyes on the same play. That was a pure intentional attempt to blind Parker and deserved an ejection.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
At least we closed the half stronger. We’re still alive in this game, despite a crappy half.
Can we please now just make the appropriate adjustments at half and go for their throat in the second half?!
DON’T SCREW AROUND WITH THIS TEAM!!!
For one thing, keep MASON the hell out of the game.
Tell RJ to take more than 2 shots in the second half.
Tell Blair to keep his hack-hand in his pants.
PICK UP THE DEFENSIVE INTENSITY, CRASH THE BOARDS, AND STOP GIVING THE BALL GIFT-WRAPPED TO THE MAVS.
That’s a good place to start. Geez!!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Najera is a piece of shi#. What a disgrace to the game. I can’t believe he didn’t get suspended. Its obvious he cares about one thing once he gets into the game…I guess the Cornerstone scholarship he got back in High School didn’t do much for his character…
pathetic.
April 27th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
This is what I find irritating about this coach…We just never know what to expect, whether it makes good basketball sense or not. As usual, it doesnt.
Not to worry though…Spurs kept it to a single digit lead and in the process, weathered the Mavs short lived storm. Mavs should be really concerned that thier effort only led to a 7 point lead….
Parker is in assassin mode and Mavs are hacking like biatches….Just enough to put a lil fire under our dead azzes tonight. Fat lady aint singing yet!
Like I said in my earlier post. If Purs get a lead on Mavs, they will panic and implode.
Spurs in 5…..Mavs on the lake, fishing!
April 27th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Wow, you can’t stink anymore to start a 2nd half. Ginobili 2 gift wrapped turnovers for layups, a Kidd post up layup, and a Butler layup(2 made FT’s as a result). The 1st 4 possessions of the Mavs in the 2nd half were all layups. Unreal. Bench Ginobili for 2 or 3 minutes, so he calms down.
On offensive, 2 Ginobili turnovers, a missed McDyess jumper and a Duncan missed bank shot. Can we get in the paint?
April 27th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
The turnovers are being caused by the Mavs defense - look whenever a Spurs player is looking inside. Every Mav is sagging inside to take a swipe on drives. The Spurs are going to have to start hitting outside shots to get them out of the lane.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Wow 7 minutes to go in the 3rd qtr and the Spurs are down 19! And Popovich mails in the game?
April 27th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Yup, Pop’s officially mailed it in. Guess I’ll watch the Lakers game.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
If the Spurs don’t win Game 6 at home, I’ll make a guarantee right here and now that they won’t win a Game 7 in Dallas.
Popovich has got to make a promise to never play Mason ever again unless 7 players foul out or get injured.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
They were bound to have an off game sooner or later.
That said I just turned it off at the 7 mins left mark filthy.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Meh, Pop knew the Mavs were gonna come with the kitchen sink tonight. Good for him for devaluing the win by having the big 3 basically take the night off and giving a lot of garbage time to Mason. What works better psychologically when you know the other guys are going to bring it, and yet you don’t really need to win it, than to let them win while making it feel like it didn’t count?
April 27th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
As much as I hate to admit it, it was a good move by the Popster. He belittled the win and threw in the towel at the right time. Besides that, Ginobli was terrible tonight…Nose has surely got to be bothering him.
But, Spurs looked like they all had azz last ngiht anyway, so it didnt really matter.
I will add this though…Couldnt pass it up….
Scary how Mason suddenly sucks after being decent last season. Bogans cracks me up. His game is tragic. Bogans is a funny MF to me….
Also, too much Bonner…Nice on the two 3 balls, but otherwise, not so great. Cant band on Matt as I have in the past though. He just seems to be playing better….Maybe Im seeing things…
Oh Well,,,,Back to the SBC….
April 27th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Phoebus
April 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
“What works better psychologically when you know the other guys are going to bring it, and yet you don’t really need to win it, than to let them win while making it feel like it didn’t count?”
That is the thinking that lets teams come back from 3-1 deficits. A BIG mistake GIVING confidence back to a team as good as Dallas. We didn’t “let them win”, we got our asses kicked!
April 27th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I got pissed at Manu for the first time in a long time tonight. He looked really timid and very un-Ginobili like.
Oh well, a lot of pressure on us to close things out in SA. Maybe the pressure will be a good thing?
April 27th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
@Jim - It’s true that we got our asses kicked, and I don’t think the psychological ploy is true. I think Pop saw that the Mavs had adjusted defensively in a way that we weren’t going to be able to counter easily. I also think he was looking for some kind of combination that wasn’t going to get it’s ass kicked. When he couldn’t find one, Mahnimi went in.
Again, with the Mavs sagging in like that it basically played havoc with our pick and roll and any interior scoring. Someone has to make jumpers to defeat it. Hill was missing from outside, Mason missed from outside, Ginobilli was missing - it’s weird to have no reliable shooting after years of that being a team strength.
Also, the Mavs fans should get an A+ - they were much better than they had been in games one and two. Now it’s up to Spurs fans to bring even more intensity to game 6.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Game 6 - Will the Big 3 (Duncan, Ginobili, Parker) outscore the Big 3 for Dallas (Nowitzki, Butler, Terry) ?
Game 6 - Will Mason get the DNP-CD to enhance the Spurs chances of winning?
Game 6 - Will Najera intentionally take a Spurs player out?
I deep down believe if the Spurs don’t win Game 6, they will lose the series.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Duncan 4 for 18 in last two games
Ginobili 6 for 23
That’s 25% shooting combined
I’m concerned
April 27th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
To be honest, to be down by only 7 points at the break was more than a gift wrap for us. But even then, I had a gut feeling that the Spurs weren’t gonna win. The Mavs were by far the desperate team and wanted this win more. That’s why I believe when we go back home, it’s going to be a desperate game for us. That’s gonna be our game 7.
But, on the positive end, before we mailed this game in during the 3rd, the Mavs kept giving us opportunities to get back in it. The final score doesn’t really indicate how dominate the Mavs were: b/c in all honesty, they were still the same old Mavs—a team that can score a lot of points, but have difficulty closing out the opposition. But, was flat out frustrating to see our team play like this, since we all know what they’re capable of. And, the fact that it would’ve been nice wash those pesky Mavs off our skin.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
“That is the thinking that lets teams come back from 3-1 deficits. A BIG mistake GIVING confidence back to a team as good as Dallas. We didn’t “let them win”, we got our asses kicked!”
No it isn’t. Unless you think the Spurs have still have come kind of confidence problem of their own, with which I, and blatant reality, would beg to differ.
The Mavs’ problem was never confidence, it was that their rotations and defensive adjustments just weren’t very well thought through (if at all), b/c Carlisle is a good-not-great coach.
Full stop.
Lord, don’t be a chicken little about it, everyone and god still knows who’s gonna win this series. The only reason the Spurs were better off closing it out tonight was for the rest in case Suns-Blazers also goes to 7, but since that probably won’t happen, big whoop.
I get tired of people saying, “I love Pop”, and then in the next breath, “why is he ever okay with losing a game?”
Have you ever thought about the mechanics of keeping 12 men sprightly for every game? Or whether or not its worth it to play everyone til they’re dog tired on a night when you KNOW the Mavs, a VERY TALENTED TEAM REMEMBER, are going to gameplan you into a corner?
Freakin’ sourpusses. Come complain when the Spurs lose the series. The only reason winning tonight would have been important for us is if the Blazers were prepared to drag the Suns out, but they aren’t.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I realize I was bitter, Jim Henderson. I almost always like what you write here.
And sorry to be bitter just 2 days after I told TradeTp to stop hollering at us about why the FO should do things that he’d just come up with 5 minutes earlier on ESPN’s Trade Machine, but:
SRSLY EVRY1 POP KNWS WT H’S DNG, stop getting all nonplussed about the series not being over just because you wanted to see Sad Mavs Fans plastered all over Espn’s main page tonight.
If we lose Thursday, we’ll talk. Till then, keep your bedsheets dry.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
What a horrible game by all spurs. I turned the tv on and saw Mason and Bonner and knew the game was lost. Team should be ashamed to play this bad. I don’t know what is wrong with Ginobili, but hope he gets it together are the spurs are finished.
April 27th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
That the Mavs lost 3 straight games to us, certainly was no aberration. It’s just the indication that we are the better team. The Mavs are just a team that continues to give us opportunities to get back into the game, no matter how dominate they seem. And when the Spurs play as well as they have been in this series—limit the turnovers and play with agression, that only spells the worst for the Mavs.
April 27th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Not surprising. Spurs rarely win their series in 5 games. Most teams usually take 6 games. Obviously, Spurs can’t expect to roll over the Mavs, but this game was Dallas trying to avoid being embarrassed.
The fouls took key guys out of the game (called fairly, but it definitely slowed them down). If the Spurs win game 6, they’ll have about the same rest as the winner of the Phx/Portland series, so it shouldn’t be too bad. Hopefully that series goes 6 at least.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
John
April 27th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
“It’s true that we got our asses kicked, and I don’t think the psychological ploy is true. I think Pop saw that the Mavs had adjusted defensively in a way that we weren’t going to be able to counter easily.”
Yeah, plus I think mid-way through the third he sensed his major players just weren’t going to be able to match the Mavs intensity tonight (probably correct, unfortunately), so he thought he might as well rest his aging veterans for a “Custers Last Stand” at home in game six. I think that decision was disappointing for Pop, but he really didn’t have a better choice after how the team came out in the second half.
Phoebus
April 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
“Lord, don’t be a chicken little about it, everyone and god still knows who’s gonna win this series.”
“The only reason winning tonight would have been important for us is if the Blazers were prepared to drag the Suns out, but they aren’t.”
Are you a soothsayer, or do you just cling to “hope”, as almost an article of faith, because you can’t bear to think that the very real alternative possibilities could actually come to fruition instead? Our dreams don’t always come true, you know.
Just in case you don’t realize it, it takes FOUR games to win a series. Last I checked, we’re still stuck on THREE. And as far as Portland goes, they’re in the Rose Garden for game six Thursday, down just 3-2, and you think that it’s very likely that series won’t go seven?
Look, I’m not overly concerned about the loss tonight. Pop has good instincts, and is a very good motivator in the biggest moments. And the big three WILL be ready for game six; you can count on that. But the point is, it is in fact DANGEROUS TO COME OUT UNPREPARED IN ANY “GAME FIVE” PLAYOFF GAME, UP 3-1 OR NOT, and in this case, help breath life back into a talented veteran team on their deathbed.
I just hope in the end the Spurs did not end up blowing an opportunity that in the final analysis they in fact needed to exploit in order to ultimately emerge victorious. We will see.
I’ll be rooting for them Thursday! HUGE game. Going back to Dallas for a seventh game would be a major obstacle, and even if we win, could end up being pretty spent for the next series.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
@silverandblack - well said. As awful as the Spurs were playing and as celebratory as the Mavs were, the game never got out of reach. We just couldn’t make a shot or make a good pass without turning it over. Mavs still only shot 44% even while their starters played more minutes than ours.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I don’t know what all this talk is of Spurs fans being far more respectful than Mavs fans. Sure, Dallas does have their annoying rich kids, your handful of just stupid people, and the common drunks as well, but there is never anything way over the top. I attended game 3 in San Antonio and was literally surrounded by five Spurs fans in a corner after the game simply because I was wearing a Mav’s jersey. They threatened to punch me in the face if I didn’t take off the jersey. I pridefully said no as any true fan would, and they continued to get in face, push me back, and cuss me out for another 10 minutes, all the while the entire mob of spurs fans waiting to leave urged it on. As a Mav’s fan that lives in San Antonio and loves this city, I have to say that I was truly embarrassed and disgraced by the actions of the fans. I really thought that they were better than that, but it was definitely not the case.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Keys to game five checklist, updated, from earlier post on this thread:
Jim Henderson
April 27th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
This game will come down to the basics:
(1) Which team comes out with the most energy & defensive intensity.
MAVS, HANDS DOWN
(2) Which team limits their turnovers.
MAVS 12, SPURS 18
(3) Which team crashes the offensive & defensive boards.
MAVS 52, Spurs 41
14 9
(4) Which team scraps for the most loose balls.
MAVS
(5) Which team hits the clutch shots.
MAVS, although blow-out game
Whichever team succeeds in the majority of these basic categories will win.
MAVS - WIN ALL CATEGORIES - Blow-out loss for Spurs!
April 28th, 2010 at 12:02 am
In three words: San Antonio stunk. But if Spurs play Game 6 as if there’s now tomorrow - which they should - then they’re still in business, plus a few days rest before the second round.
April 28th, 2010 at 12:11 am
I didn’t get to watch the game because I’m a poor college student who can’t afford the 8,000 channel, NBA-inclusive package and I go to school out of state, but what is with all the talk that the game “never got away from us” and was “never out of reach”? Perhaps I just have a poor imagination, but I’m pretty sure that when you lose a game by 19, it’s out of reach. Anybody want to explain further?
April 28th, 2010 at 4:46 am
I HAVE MORE RGRETS FOR G1; WHICH I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE WE COULD AND SHOULD HAVE WON IT SURELY.
To G5:
Manu 4 minutes in 2nd half
TD 6 minutes
Dice 3 minutes
Every aspect of G4!! + TP + Halfcourt game more of TD
God will Bless with a Win.
See on Thursday
God Bless YOu ALL
April 28th, 2010 at 5:25 am
@Beau - as a San Antonio fan who lives in Dallas I can tell you that the same thing has happened to me on multiple occasions. All fanbases are the same - some people are jerks and some aren’t. And yet, every fan I’ve ever talked to is always convinced that “their” fanbase is much more respectful and polite.
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