Against all odds
Weary Mavs need a miracle to extend series another day
Posted: Monday May 26, 2003 11:32 PM
Updated: Tuesday May 27, 2003 1:42 PM
They started the season 14-0. They won a franchise-record 60 games. They outlasted the Blazers and Kings each in seven-game series to reach the conference finals for the first time since 1988.
Now the Mavericks are facing their toughest test yet.
Trailing 3-1 in the Western Conference finals, Dallas must find a way to win Game 5 Tuesday night in San Antonio or its magical season will come to an end. Making the task more difficult, the Mavs probably will be without star forward Dirk Nowitzki for the second straight game. Nowitzki, who suffered a left knee sprain in Game 3, said Monday he doubted he would be able to play.
Dallas already has played 18 playoff games this postseason, including nine in the past 17 days. That means that in addition to battling Tim Duncan and Co., the Mavs are also fighting fatigue. It’s going to take another Mavs miracle for them to get to play a 20th game.
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Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
Tuesday, 9:00 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 |
| Game 3 |
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96 |
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83 |
| Game 4 |
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102 |
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95 |
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The past ...
Duncan had 21 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks to lead the Spurs to a 102-95 win in Game 4. Tony Parker added 25 points and rookie Emanuel Ginobili had 21 as San Antonio survived an inspired effort from the Nowitzki-less Mavs. Behind Steve Nash, Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel, Dallas actually led 52-47 at the half. But the Spurs’ defense clamped down in the second half, and without the 7-foot Nowitzki and 7-foot-6 Shawn Bradley (knee) to offer any interior resistance, Duncan was able to take over at both ends. The Spurs also outrebounded the Mavs, 49-40, and enjoyed a 31-13 edge in free-throw attempts.
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Steve Nash
Glenn James/Getty Images |
The present ...
The Mavs seem to realize the enormity of the challenge ahead. While they can talk about the experience gained from those clutch Game 7 victories over the Blazers and Kings, they know Duncan’s Spurs are a much better team. If Nowitzki can't play, the Mavs don’t have the rebounding or size on defense needed to contend. Dallas coach Don Nelson will once again go small and hope Van Exel and Walt Williams can hit a slew of shots from outside. But as long as Duncan continues to stay patient against Dallas’ double-teams and San Antonio’s role players knock down shots, the Spurs are going to be tough to beat.
The future ... The Spurs have Nelson’s smallball schemes figured out. They don’t want to extend this series any longer than necessary, especially with the Nets already having clinched in the East. Look for San Antonio to finish it off at home.
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