Keep 'em guessing
Mavs make sure Nowitzki's status stays under wraps
Posted: Wednesday May 28, 2003 11:16 PM
DALLAS -- Will Dirk Nowitzki play?
That’s the big question heading into Thursday night’s Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. Nowitzki has sat out the past two games with a sprained left knee, and Mavs coach Don Nelson said it will be a game-time decision whether the All-Star forward can suit up against the Spurs.
Nowitzki’s presence obviously would be a huge lift for the Mavs. Dallas has burned a lot of energy the past two games trying to cover for its 7-foot star. Plus, the Mavs are going to need some offense, since the Spurs are not likely to go cold again from outside like they did in Game 5.
Nelson no doubt would love to keep the Spurs guessing on Nowitzki’s status.
However, Mavs owner Mark Cuban might have tipped his hand when shortly after Game 5 he was asked in an SBC Center hallway what were the chances of Nowitzki playing the next game.
"Real good," an ebulliant Cuban said as he headed for the locker-room
celebration.
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Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT, 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 |
| Game 5 |
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91 |
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103 |
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The past ...
Michael Finley had 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals as the Mavs avoided elimination by rallying from a 19-point deficit to stun the Spurs 103-91 in Game 5. Playing their second game without Nowitzki, the never-say-die Mavs trailed 70-53 midway through the third quarter before suddenly catching fire. Finley, Steve Nash and Nick Van Exel hit numerous big shots down the stretch as Dallas outscored San Antonio 29-10 in the fourth quarter. Blanketed by a swarming zone defense, Tim Duncan (23 points) tried to get his teammates involved. But the Spurs hit just 24-of-38 free throws and managed to go 3-of-17 from the field in the fatal final quarter.
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Michael Finley
D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images |
The present ...
Despite their stunning collapse in Game 5, the Spurs remain confident. They know they missed a ton of wide-open shots down the stretch. They also know that Dallas can’t play much harder than it has the past two games. The Spurs already have won Game 6s in Phoenix and Los Angeles during this
postseason, so they shouldn’t be intimidated by a Mavs crowd fired up by a Nowitzki return. Look for the Spurs to try to get Tony Parker (seven points in Game 5) more involved, especially on the pick-and-roll. Dallas has momentum, but San Antonio still has Duncan down low. As long as Duncan stays patient, and his teammates knock down those open looks in the fourth quarter, the Spurs should be OK.
The future ... Even if San Antonio plays better, it might not be enough against a Dallas team fired up by the return of its star player. The Mavs already have played two Game 7s during this year’s playoffs. Why not a third? Look for Nowitzki to suit up and for Dallas to keep the magic alive one more time.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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