| 28 April 2009
Tim Duncan had 30 points to go with Tony Parker's 26 and 12 assists, but the rest of the Spurs faltered, as they had for almost the entire series. The result is their first loss in the opening round since 2000, and the grim news that their dynasty may very well be coming to an end.
Dirk Nowitzki finally went off for 31 points, and the rest of the Mavericks followed his lead. Josh Howard and Jason Kidd ripped the Spurs' hearts out in the 3rd quarter with back to back threes. 6 Mavs finished in double digit scoring while the Spurs couldn't get anybody but Duncan and Parker to ten points. The one true bench scorer the Spurs had throughout the series, Drew Gooden, didn't play.
It'a amazing how little Michael Finley did this series. He and Matt Bonner were both supposed to be scorers from long range, but did little to get Dallas to come out and protect them. You'd think Finley would have been pumped up playing against his former team. Guess not.
Is there anybody that thought this would be the final outcome before the series?
Why the Mavericks Won
The Mavericks won because they relied on more than two scorers. I can't stress enough how big that was for a team that looked disjointed in the middle of the season. While San Antonio struggled from the 3-point line, Dallas was deadly. How's 10-20 from the 3-point line sound? 3-16 won't cut it against a team that likes to push the tempo, and those misses led to transition baskets. Josh Howard had plenty of reason to celebrate. As if his birthday wasn't enough, he put the nail in the coffin to kill any chance the Spurs had of mounting a comeback.
Why the Spurs Lost
The Spurs were beaten in this series in almost every way you can think of. Duncan and Parker got theirs, and Parker showed that he is definitely an elite point guard, but there was no support to speak of from a team that prides itself on consistency at every position. The Spurs will get Manu Ginobili back next season, a player that honestly could have turned this series in their direction. Manu is their spark. Without him, they just looked dead.
Heading Into Next Round
Dallas has to be extremely proud of that they have accomplished. A Conference Semi-finals appearance seemed out of reach not so long ago. Now we are seeing a team that is primed to possibly get to the Conference Finals.The Mavericks are peaking at the right time but are about run head first into the Denver Nuggets, who are looking threatening as well. Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets are running through the New Orleans Hornets at an alarming rate. Dallas won't cave to Denver though, and the series will be hard fought and entertaining.
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