Mavericks beat Spurs 105-97 in Game 1

By PAUL J. WEBER, Associated Press Writer Apr 19, 12:34 am EDT

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SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks walked off the court, savoring their first road playoff victory in three years. A pack of fans stuck around and hollered “Let’s go Mavs!” in one of the most hostile places to wear green and blue.

No one bothered them or shouted back. The stands had emptied quickly, and the San Antonio Spurs were already back in the locker room knowing they’ve got a lot of work to do.

In a giant Game 1 road victory for the Mavericks, who hadn’t won a road playoff game or postseason series since going to the NBA finals in 2006, Josh Howard scored 25 points and Dallas stole the home-court edge in 105-97 victory Saturday night.

“To get a win? Yeah, it’s good to get a win here,” Howard said. “I wouldn’t say steal.”

He’s right. The Mavericks earned this one.

The sixth-seeded Mavericks, who had lost nine consecutive playoff road games, outscored the Spurs 31-23 after the teams entered the fourth quarter tied. Until then, the rematch of the Texas rivals had every bit the look of the their thrilling 2006 West semifinals meeting that remains one of the best seven-game series in recent playoff history.

For the Spurs, it was their first loss in a home playoff opener since being beaten by Denver in 2007. San Antonio went on to win the next four games, but that was a younger and healthier team than these Spurs.

“We’ve been here before,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. “But it’s a big loss at home for us.”

Duncan scored 27 points, and Tony Parker had 24 for the Spurs.

Game 2 is Monday night in San Antonio.

Dallas, a weak road team for most of the season, dealt the Spurs just their fourth playoff loss on their home court since 2007. The Mavericks were 18-23 on the road this season, but perhaps the more relevant mark for them begins March 31: the day Howard returned from a sore ankle that will require surgery this offseason.

Since then, Dallas is 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the games he’s played. He played just 34 seconds in the fourth quarter against the Spurs, and afterward, acknowledged the ankle was sore.

“But time to tough that out,” Howard said.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said he labored with the decision to sit Howard.

“If we could keep him out it might be better for his ankle, and the smaller lineup was able to finish the game well,” Carlisle said.

Did it ever, thanks to the smallest of that bunch—6-foot Jose Barea.

Besides pestering Parker on defense as good as any Mavericks defender— Parker was 2-of-6 in the fourth—Barea scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Jason Terry scored 12 points for the Mavs, including two 3-pointers. But the NBA’s leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year took a backseat in the fourth to Barea, whose floating runner with 5:31 left made it 93-83.

Parker said he though Barea at times “was flopping because he’s little, but those can go both ways and it didn’t go my way tonight.”

Barea said he was just doing his job.

“I just trying my hardest to bother him,” Barea said. “Stay in front of him as much as I can. Try and stay in front of him and take a couple of charges the best I can. It worked out.”

San Antonio entered the playoffs facing big doubts about how it’d fare without Manu Ginobili, who’s out for the playoffs with an injured ankle. In the fourth quarter, when the Spurs could’ve used his offense and energy the most, the Spurs shot 40 percent while Dallas shot nearly 58 percent.

Duncan, wearing a sleeve on his achy left knee instead of the bulky contraption he wore at practice Friday, scored five points in the fourth but couldn’t help the Spurs keep pace. Duncan has never lost a first-round playoff series.

“It’s tough,” Terry said of winning in San Antonio. “This is probably the toughest place, besides Cleveland, to play in the league. It’s not going to be

Notes

Ginobili sat behind the San Antonio bench. “We have to be of the mind-set that Manu Ginobili is almost not part of the team, in a crazy sort of way,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “If we spend any time thinking about Manu, it’s going to take away from our group think.” … San Antonio (12 years) and Dallas (nine) have the longest consecutive playoff streaks in the NBA. … The Spurs did get one fan favorite back for the playoffs: popular public-address announcer Kevin Brock, who in December blew out his knees shooting baskets before a game.

Updated Apr 19, 12:34 am EDT
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San Antonio vs Golden State

Wed Nov 25, 2009, 8:30 pm EST

Dallas at Houston

Wed Nov 25, 2009, 8:30 pm EST

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40 Comments

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  1. take a
    40. Posted by take a Thu Apr 23 4:11pm EDT

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    LOL! All you spurs fairies make me laugh! Thinking that they will bet the Mavs. The Spurs dont even have a chance at any team without Ginobody. Who does anything more than several 3 points shots by Finlan, Bowen or shaking Bonner. Old knee pained Dumbkant w/o ParkUhrr!! on fouls and rarely played Gooden are all for the no bench team. This team is dead and they know it so does Ginobli. If they ever win they just get lucky giving Bonner open 3's and same old Parker layup show allday crying about fouls w/ Duncan, they sure had it good looking like def maraccas. Mavs w/out banged up Dirk for 1st half not as motivated. Mavs still played great and with the best bench in the league!!! They will whoop the Spurs in 5 if or 6!! Just gotta keep up everybody's teamwork and motivation from Barea, Bass, Terry, Howard, Dirk and Kidd like in game 1. Playing like that theyll win it all!!! Go Mav! Lakers overrated cant beat Mavs, Nuggets, or Portland! Nuggets only team besides 1seeds to be up 2-0!! Nuggs or Mavs in west conf Finals!!! Go Mavericks!! You deseserve it and can!!!
  2. shay s
    39. Posted by shay s Mon Apr 20 5:53pm EDT

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    it's only one game
  3. griz
    38. Posted by griz Sun Apr 19 6:58pm EDT

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    Mavs are gonna choke like they always do. Dirk's weak. He can't post up any other 7 footer.
  4. Jeremy
    37. Posted by Jeremy Sun Apr 19 2:15pm EDT

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    I use to love both the Mavs and the Spurs. I even rooted for Duncan when he was at Wake getting schooled by Camby and UMass. However, I have grown to loath the Spurs over the last several years. I don't know if they get their attitude from Pop or what, but they act like babies. They really remind me of the old Utah teams who would just whine when every single call didn't go their way, while at the same time garnishing the vast majority of freethrow opportunities. The fact is that the Spurs have employed one of the most dirty players in league history (Bowen) for several years now. In addition, no one is pointing out that Dirk had to sit the majority of the first half due to horrible calls that would never be called on other elite players (especially Dunc'in in tears, Park'en on the bench, or Ginobody). However, Parker has the audacity to whine over calls that he received when he blantantly ran over Berea!!! I don't know if the Mavs have what it takes, but I know they deserve to win over a team full of cheaters and whiners! I just hope that a team wins who does not fall into that catagory. It is for this reason that I will route for an underdog (Mavs or Portland). Heck, I even heard that the NBA is already planning on cashing in on a Kobe vs. Lebron Finals!!! So, you still think that NBA is legit? Spurs deserve to lose... Go MAVS!!!
  5. <i>eltonelyjr67</i>
    36. Posted by eltonelyjr67 Sun Apr 19 1:50pm EDT

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    Even if the Spurs make an early exit in this round it doesn't matter at least they have won it all before...I just know that Dallas has no chance to make the Finals. Cuban has screwed this team with all the dumbass rosters moves he has made and Dirk will never LEAD any team to a championship he doesn't have it...Kidd could have but he is too old now. Sending Devin Harris away was one of the most dumb-@#$%k moves ever...right next to the Shaq trade to Phoenix...Keep Cuban out of the basketball decisions and just sign the checks. If no Spurs this year...Go Cavs
  6. radka
    35. Posted by radka Sun Apr 19 1:49pm EDT

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    GO Bulls they win in 6 games
  7. chili-head
    34. Posted by chili-head Sun Apr 19 11:46am EDT

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    It is a best of 7 series. Maybe Pop will rethink playing George Hill to give Tony a breather. Go Spurs Go!!!
  8. austuc t
    33. Posted by austuc t Sun Apr 19 10:17am EDT

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    im a big mavs fan and i think they can beat the spurs and mabe the nuggets or hornets but no way they beat the lackers maybe next year
  9. <i>sergeant1217</i>
    32. Posted by sergeant1217 Sun Apr 19 10:07am EDT

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    If Howard could continue to hit 50% from the field (which I doubt) the Mav's would have a chance in this series. Kidd, Dirk and Terry were really played slightly below their capabilities. We are only beginning to see what Barea can do. Lets keep in mind the Spurs are playing without their emotional leader....
  10. armyman
    31. Posted by armyman Sun Apr 19 6:01am EDT

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    FLIPPER get your facts straight. spurs won in 2003 2005 2007. Dont know where you got your facts from but somebody was lyin to ya. MAVS all the way baby. MAVS take down the spurs in 6 games. We are on our way to the FINALS. Watch out.
  11. Khaled
    30. Posted by Khaled Sun Apr 19 5:26am EDT

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    hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
  12. <i>jeffwee23</i>
    29. Posted by jeffwee23 Sun Apr 19 5:06am EDT

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    Barea was solid! mavericks got the best bench in the league, if they play like these every time... they can beat anybody, even the cavs and the lakers....
    people are underestimating the mavs all season long, saying" walk over the mavs" or "this is the team they want to face come playoff time" now let's see if they still want to.

    the past 2 years, mavs heading into the playoffs, not that good, but this year, they're on a roll! with momentum. and it showed in game1 against the spurs!
  13. led
    28. Posted by led Sun Apr 19 5:00am EDT

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    go spurs go!
  14. emma
    27. Posted by emma Sun Apr 19 4:31am EDT

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    go mavs all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
  15. Flipper
    26. Posted by Flipper Sun Apr 19 4:06am EDT

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    sure lets give the Mavs credit for winning this game. but remember its only ONE game. Looking at the schedule I see 6 more games left. Sure it’s a home game loss for the spurs. Spurs have lost home openers in the past and gone on to win it all. the Mavs have won first playoff series openers in the past and have bowed out in the first series. Most important of the last two statements is the phrase " in the past" . This is a new series with only the nucleus of both teams still intact. Anything can happen in this series and will probably best of the 1st round match ups. Yes I am obviously a Spurs fan but I will hand it to the Mavs they handed the spurs their own butts. By the way spurs win the championship every other year.2002, 2004, 2006 and maybe now the 2008 season. Maybe.
  16. Ian
    25. Posted by Ian Sun Apr 19 3:49am EDT

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    spurs are getting old...they should get younger players who could learn from the veterans in that team.
  17. <i>haziqah_afifi@...</i>
    24. Posted by haziqah_afifi@... Sun Apr 19 3:04am EDT

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    Hehehe
  18. <i>csurf1962</i>
    23. Posted by csurf1962 Sun Apr 19 2:54am EDT

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    kenlim, ....... And then you woke up!!!!!!
  19. Kenneth
    22. Posted by Kenneth Sun Apr 19 2:36am EDT

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    The Mavs did great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give it up for the Mavs. I say they have a chance to win the chamionships if they keep playing this good!
  20. DJ GOD
    21. Posted by DJ GOD Sun Apr 19 2:07am EDT

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    Wooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooo !!!! Great Game !!!! I Say MAVS In 6 !!!! GO MAVS !!!!
  21. Alan
    20. Posted by Alan Sun Apr 19 1:56am EDT

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    San Antonio sucks
  22. Aaron M
    19. Posted by Aaron M Sun Apr 19 1:45am EDT

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    No one ever gives it up to the Mavs. Not even in 2006. Tonight they have proven it. Give it up to the Mavs!!!!
  23. Rick
    18. Posted by Rick Sun Apr 19 12:47am EDT

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    This was a big win for the Mavs. Great effort from everyone. Go Mavs!
  24. Falcon
    17. Posted by Falcon Sun Apr 19 12:46am EDT

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    The Spurs lost. There is no excuse for the Spurs loss. Mavericks won. However, it is only game one. The series is far from over. I was watching the game. Man, Sean Elliot did not seem to give the Mavericks any credit. As a commentator, he kept saying "It's not over" and "Just wait and see". Man Sean, give the Mavs some credit. The Mavericks won at San Antonio, which is a very tough thing to do for any NBA team. It's cool though. I guess some sports commentators are bias. That was a good game though. J.J. Barea played a good game.
  25. The Burns
    16. Posted by The Burns Sun Apr 19 12:45am EDT

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    2006 West Playoffs was one of the best playoff games in recent playoff history?
    I would offer the 2006 series was THE best playoff game in recent history.
    That was a series for the ages. As a result, I still respect the Spurs.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Dallas
J. Howard Josh Howard
9-18,  25 Pts
4 Rebs, 3 Assists
 San Antonio
T. Duncan Tim Duncan
13-24,  27 Pts
9 Rebs, 2 Assists

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