Written by Zach Harper | 25 April 2009

To illustrate why the San Antonio Spurs are down 3-1 to the Dallas Mavericks, here is a series of text messages that took place between me and my friend Ashley, an unbelievably devoted Spurs fan that has heckled me during their dynasty, throughout the third quarter of Game 4 of the series.

Adam: What are you doing?

Ashley: Watching the Red Sox lose and the Spurs win.

Adam: Don't you mean the Mavs win?

Ashley: No, the Spurs are up 6.

Adam: That will change. The Mavs are owning the Spurs.

Ashley: I wouldn't say owning.

(Thirty minutes later.)

Adam: So the Spurs won, huh?

Ashley: Enough trash talking.

Adam: Umm, no. You had plenty to say during the Spurs' dynasty. Now that it is over and their team consists of Tony Parker, an aging Tim Duncan and a bunch of role players, it's time to fire back.

Sigh, good old rivalries. The Mavericks have a stranglehold over a Spurs team that looks nothing like a playoff contender. Josh Howard stepped up in the 99-90 home victory, and the Mavericks were able to counteract their 38% shooting performance by hitting 10 3's and going 33-39 from the free throw line.

The Mavs didn't need their usual scoring output from Dirk Nowitzki, who only had 12 points. You can do that when Jason Kidd and 6 other teammates get 9 points or more. Dirk did get 13 rebounds and is playing unselfish basketball, not forcing shots against the double teams he is facing. The Mavericks are playing team basketball, the exact opposite of what San Antonio has become.

Tony Parker continues to score in bunches, as did Tim Duncan. But it is evident that there are no scorers on the team besides the two. The Spurs could get away with that when Manu Ginobili was around. Their great defense and scoring threesome took the pressure off the role players on the Spurs. Now that Manu is out, the Spurs have been exposed. You can't win in the West with just two scoring options.

The youth and fiery personality of Dallas is taking the Spurs out of their game. Ryan Hollins played most of the 4th quarter and was great defensively. It's a matter of time before he takes over for Erick Dampier. Hollins also taunted Tim Duncan after a dunk with 4:20 left to go. I get pumped as much as the next guy on the court, but let's win a ring before we get up in Timmy's grill, shall we?

Parker deserves recognition for his 43 points in a loss, listening to Greg Popovich's advice to go to the basket every time. It worked for him, but it just wasn't enough. Parker said himself that the Mavericks have more weapons, and that is what is making the difference in the series. Parker is expending all of his energy on the offensive end of the floor, and the Mavericks can take advantage of that on defense.

Why the Mavericks Won

The Mavericks won by making sure that they weren't a two-pronged scoring attack. The Spurs' defense is centered around removing Nowitzki and 6th Man of the Year Jason Terry out of the game offensively, so it's up to players like J.J. Barea and Antoine Wright to make up for their offensive absence. They've handled that responsibility in every game except for the second of the series. Dallas wasn't overwhelmed by the 9 point lead that the Spurs got, partially because they were at home, and they waited until the Spurs ran out of gas to take over.

Why the Spurs Lost

The Spurs lost because they have nobody to turn to for offense besides Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. The trio of Michael Finley, Matthew Bonner and Roger Mason Jr. scored 7 points combined. That's less scoring than Tom Arnold can get after dating Roseanne Barr. The Spurs were also dominated on the boards, losing the battle 49-35, and struggled from the 3-point and free throw line. The Spurs may have won the Southwest Division title, but they are no longer the best team in their division. At this point, they are playing like the 4th best team in the Southwest.

Heading into Game 4

This series seems to be all over but the crying. Parker and Duncan have shown that their a duo that is to be respected, but the Spurs have nothing else to turn to. Parker tied George Gervin's franchise record for the most points in a half. Maybe he can pay The Iceman to suit up. He couldn't score less than Bruce Bowen, right? The Spurs get to go home, so the crowd will lift them up a bit, but you have to believe that Duncan and Parker are wiped out after such exertion. The Mavericks have to ensure that San Antonio doesn't get any confidence. A win in Game 5 would also give them a chance to rest, should Utah get another win against L.A. Win or loss in Game 5, it looks like the Spurs' dynasty is coming to an end. At the very least, their title run this year looks over.
Prediction: Mavericks Win a Close One  

  

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