(6) Dallas beats (3) San Antonio 4-1

[Fcuk Orlando]

The Mavericks have worked their way up including a 10 point win against Houston to fight their way up from the 8th seed to the 6th seed. WIth Josh Howard back in the rotation and Manu injured, Dallas definitely has the upper hand in this series

[Lamrock]

Spurs will win this because Dallas isn't very good.

[Fcuk Orlando]

People underestimate Josh Howard's return. He gives us that extra 15-20ppg the Mavs need to win plus hes the best defender for Dallas.

[JaoSming]

Spurs in 5, Mavs, with or without Josh Howard aren't going to get more than a win on the spurs in the playoffs,

[NovU]

With Josh returning and Manu not being able to participate, Dallas has good chance to pull an upset. However, the Spurs played the whole season with injuries and testing different mixes and yet, they proved to be one of the top teams in the west once again. The spurs have more experience and I believe are better equipped to go further. I think the Spurs will prevail. No upset here.

[shadowgrin]

Spurs are the only good kind of cockroaches.

Spurs in 7. I would say 5 but Duncan is hurting right now.

Jason Kidd's old legs can't really guard Parker. The difference in the series is how well that dumbass Gooden will perform, and he will deliver. Gooden is dumbass that needs proper guidance, who better guide him than Pop?

[Null17]

Even with Manu out, I don't think the Spurs will get a first round exit. And this time, at least they know that Manu's out so they can adjust beforehand. Mason's been playing well and can fill in Manu's spot.

[Oakrhum]

Spurs will pull away. They can even sweep Dallas.

[diddy]

i pick Dallas in 6! manu on bench - 20-25 points away from Spurs each game, Terry has best season + Dirk is scoring a LOT, Howard is healthy, Bass playing good, Barea, playing good. Dallas has a lot of tools to beat Spurs, and spurp are short with struggling Duncan and Manu on bench

[Martti.]

The Spurs don't have Manu, but they still have their Finals MVP's - Duncan and Parker. Add Gooden, Finley and an emerging Roger Mason, and bye-bye Mavs!

[kibaxx7]

Spurs in 6,

[Andrew]

Spurs in 6,

I'm picking that way too. Manu's absence opens the door for the Mavericks but the Spurs still have Duncan and Parker along with some capable role players. Every time they're picked to falter - their struggles early in the season, for example - they seem to bounce back, injuries or no injuries. I think they'll be out in the second round but they'll get out of the first. I do see Dallas taking a couple of games from them though.

[Null17]

Spurs in 6,

I'm picking that way too. Manu's absence opens the door for the Mavericks but the Spurs still have Duncan and Parker along with some capable role players. Every time they're picked to falter - their struggles early in the season, for example - they seem to bounce back, injuries or no injuries. I think they'll be out in the second round but they'll get out of the first. I do see Dallas taking a couple of games from them though.

Pretty much my prediction. The Spurs seem to find a way out when they seem down for the count and sometimes they seem to fuck up when they should have the upper hand.

[jenz]

i'm still hoping that the spurs would screw this one up. i don't really think that the mavs could win this even without manu. hopefully, the mav's defense could hold up parker and duncan though i know that kidd can't really match tony in terms of speed. but, i'm a mavs fan, so i picked them to win at 6.

[hova-]

I guess Dirk needs to step up big. Just like two years ago when the Mavs had their finals run. Maybe people underrate the Mavs a bit but still the Spurs are the favorites in this one. I cant predict anything but I hope that Dallas makes it.

[shadowgrin]

mav's defense.

Oxymoron?

[jenz]

heh, they could still try.

[Fcuk Orlando]

End 1st qtr, Dallas down by 11 29-18 Dirk is on the bench with 2 fouls, Josh Howard is chucking up shots. Carlisle has already used 3 timeouts. Its not looking good for the mavs so far
Mavs come back with great shots from JJ Barea and Josh Howard and win 105-97
Josh Howard
9-18, 25 Pts
4 Rebs, 3 Assists

[jonthefon]

Mavs break their road-losing streak in the playoffs.

JJ Barea really shut down Parker in the fourth quarter. If he can do the guarding on him for half a game, that's a big plus for the Mavs, because Antoine Wright couldn't do anything against Parker.

The Mavs bench stepped up in a HUGE way tonight. Bass made sure they didn't miss Dirk when he was in foul trouble, Barea got scoring off the bench and Terry was Terry. The Spurs don't have enough defenders to guard all of the Mavs' weapons when they're going, especially when Howard is driving.

No way the Spurs shoot from three like they did tonight. 11-from-14?! And two of the misses were desperation shots at the end. This is setting up pretty well for the Mavs, but they really need to win everything back at home, that's been what's hurt them.

[Lamrock]

Woot! I really didn't see this coming. Still think the Spurms will win this series, but this should be pretty interesting. Barea?!

[Oakrhum]

JJ Barea is no Derrick Rose so comparing this game to the Bulls-Celtics series, It's not as threatening as what's Boston feeling right now.

[jenz]

heheh. there's now a window of hope that they'll defeat the cockroaches.

[NovU]

It seemed like it was going to be an easy night for the Spurs as Dirk was heading to the bench with foul trouble early in the game, but what a balanced attack by the Mavericks, it was surprising. Barea I'd say was the difference along with Howard's strong offensive outings. Parker definitely was troubled by Barea's foot speed.

[Lamrock]

It's not as threatening as what's Boston feeling right now.

What? The Celtics played a terrible game against a 7 seed, and still only lost by two points, in overtime no less. The Spurs came into this series knowing it would be a difficult one, and lost by 8.

[hova-]

If Dallas can snatch another game in SA then I would really start rolling my mind about this series. Still the Spurs are the favorites in this one.

What I really liked was the fact that the bench came up big. I thought Dirk would need to score well to give Dallas a chance.