Full-Court Press

Dirk says rough stuff is topped out

As he addressed the media a few minutes ago, Dirk Nowitzki had this to say about the physical nature of the series:

"I don't know how it can get any more physical. It's already wrestling out there.''

Marion is right

After Sunday's game, Shawn Marion had this to say:

"I've been in this situation before. It can be done. It ain't over until the fat lady sings. I don't see no fat lady.''

Granted, he was in the postgame locker room where only shapely TV ladies were in sight.

But his point is well taken. This is the time when a team has to fight. At the very least, don't go down like a bunch of sissies...or worse.

Mavericks have to show their backbone and force a Game 6. That's the only way they'll start to feel better about this season and themselves.

Mavericks need to inject some fun

At times like this, a team that is wound tighter than a fishing reel needs something to lighten things up.

I'm not smart enough to know what that is. But Rick Carlisle and his staff surely know that this situation deserves getting their team's mind off of the daunting task of having to win three consecutive games against a really good team in order to avoid having the season end.

Maybe it's putting all the players' names in a hat and drawing out five for the starting lineup on Tuesday night.

Or maybe it's putting that hat in the middle of the locker room, having players write something that they love or hate about this team on a card and put them all in the hat. Mix them up and read them one at a time randomly.

Whatever it is, the Mavericks need to get past the point of feeling like they're headed to the guillotine.

Maybe it's watching Caddyshack instead of game film.

"It's in the hole.''

All I know is that at times like this, you can't sit there and stress out. Some getaway time is essential.

Mavericks lose game; is series a goner, too?

The Mavericks saw another grand opportunity go to waste as the San Antonio Spurs toughed out a 92-89 victory tonight at AT&T Center to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

The Mavericks now must sweep the final three games to avoid a first-round playoff exit for the third time in four seasons.

George Hill had 29 points for the Spurs.

The Mavericks, who led by 15 in the second quarter and by 10 five minutes into the third, fell behind by 13 in the fourth before staging a huge rally that came up short.

Manu Ginobili hit a clutch 3-pointer and two free throws with 42.1 seconds left that put the Spurs up 91-87.

Dirk Nowitzki missed a jumper, but the Mavericks retained possession on a jump ball. Jason Kidd then air-mailed a 3-pointer from the corner and the Mavericks were history.

As this series will be with one more Spurs win.

Will Mavs ever get off 57

It's been more than five minutes of clock time and they've seen a 57-47 lead turn into a 62-57 deficit.

Only a flagrant foul by Richard Jefferson on Dirk Nowitzki ended the long drought.

Dirk's free throws ensured that the Mavericks would actually get to double figures for the third quarter.

Here come the Spurs

They were going to rally. Everybody knew that.

But the Mavericks are doing their best to make it tough. The Spurs are back within 57-53 because of George Hill and Antonio McDyess, who have 12 of the Spurs' 16 points in the half.

Here come the Spurs

They were going to rally. Everybody knew that.

But the Mavericks are doing their best to make it tough. The Spurs are back within 57-53 because of George Hill and Antonio McDyess, who have 12 of the Spurs' 16 points in the half.

Even the trainer is into it for Mavs

Athletic trainer Casey Smith was among those pleading their case when J.J. Barea got elbowed during a scramble for a loose ball after Jet Terry's layup was blocked.

The Mavericks have been applying some great defense and are rebounding the ball with authority as they have gone up 43-30.

And Rick Carlisle smartly called a quick timeout as soon as the Spurs got loose for a fast-break dunk by Richard Jefferson.

There's 1:57 left in the half and it's going to be a crucial time for the Mavericks to keep this lead at double digits.

Predictable end to first quarter

For some reason, it just seemed obvious that the Mavericks were going to get burned by a 3-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer.

Sure enough, after Brendan Haywood blocked a drive by Tony Parker, the ball skittered over to George Hill, who drilled a corner jumper for a 20-17 lead, stopping any Maverick momentum.

The Mavs played a good, tough first quarter and are down by three.

Both teams are ramping up the defense and the Spurs have the lead despite Tim Duncan going scoreless in the first.

A good early sign for Mavs

Jason Kidd fed Dirk Nowitzki for post-up position twice on the same possession early tonight and Nowitzki responded by flicking the ball a second time out to Kidd, who nailed his first 3-point shot of the game.

Going inside-out like that appears to be a new wrinkle for the Mavs. It got the Spurs scrambling a bit defensively and resulted in an open look for Kidd, which hasn't happened often enough.

Mavericks have started off a bit better than the previous games, down just 8-7 with seven minutes left in the first.