The Wild Western Conference started off with a Texas sized game. Other than the Lakers, not much separates the rest of the teams in the conference.
The San Antonio Spurs snuck in as the number 3 seed and home court advantage against interstate rivalry, the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks came in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Just a week ago, they looked like the 8th seed and headed towards a first round one and done series against the Lakers.
The Spurs came out on fire, and everything was going their way. Dirk Nowitzki picked up his 3rd foul early in the second quarter with the Mavs down 33-24. San Antonio led by as many as 13 in first half before Dallas rallied to trail by only 4 at half, 49-45.
In the third quarter, Josh Howard took over for the Mavs with 13 points. But like always, Tim Duncan came alive with 12 third quarter points as the game was tied 74-74 after three.
The big difference of the game was the bench points. For Dallas, Brandon Bass finished with 14 points, Jose Barea had 13 and Jason Terry put in 12.
The Mavericks outscored the Spurs by 12 in the second half and played just enough defense to win 105-97.
Dallas came into the game having lost 9 consecutive road playoff games.
Now, the Spurs, minus Manu Ginobli, have their backs against the ropes with a much hungrier Dallas team breathing down their throats.
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