Seen but not heard
Refs should let the players decide Game 3
Posted: Friday May 23, 2003 12:30 AM
Remember when NBA playoff games used to be about the players?
Not so in this year’s Western Conference finals, where the referees have taken center stage. In Game 1 it was Bennett Salvatore orchestrating a parade to the foul line, which the jump-shooting Mavs (49-of-50 from the stripe) gladly accepted.
In Game 2 it was Joey Crawford T-ing up everybody in sight, much to the delight of the Spurs, who enjoyed a 45-22 edge in free throw attempts.
Hopefully the Mavs and Spurs will return to being the main focus Friday night in Game 3. The Mavs need to get a handle on Tim Duncan. The Spurs need to prove they can close out Dallas. No offense to the refs, who have extremely tough jobs, but they’re not nearly as interesting.
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San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks
Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
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| Series Snapshot |
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| Game 1 |
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110 |
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113 |
| Game 2 |
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119 |
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106 |
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The past ...
Duncan had 32 points and 15 rebounds, and San Antonio hit its first 24 free throws, as the Spurs won 119-106 in Game 2 to even the series. Malik Rose added 25 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench. For the second straight game, the officiating was a factor. Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki picked up three fouls early and was mostly on the bench as San Antonio built a 28-point first-half lead. In all, seven technicals were called, and Dallas coach Don Nelson and assistant Del Harris each were ejected. Also for the second straight game, the Mavs rallied late to throw a scare into San Antonio. This time, however, the Spurs were able to hold on for the victory.
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Dirk Nowitzki
D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images |
The present ...
Despite their loss in Game 2, the Mavs are confident. Both games in San Antonio were played at their tempo, and the Spurs have not yet shown an ability to keep them down for 48 minutes. With Eduardo Najera (thigh) expected back, Dallas feels it will have an effective counter for Rose. They also expect Nick Van Exel (8-of-28 in the series) to get untracked. The Spurs did a much better job in Game 2 moving the ball and making good decisions on offense. More important, their small lineup with Rose and Emanuel Ginobili was lethal. They just need to find a way to close out the Mavs in the fourth quarter.
The future ... This is another test of the Spurs’ mental toughness. They don’t want to fall behind 2-1 and face a long series, especially with the Nets getting out their brooms back East. Take San Antonio in another nailbiter.
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