One Down, Two to Go: Mavs Stomp Spurs in Game 5

WE DID IT!!

Well, ok, they did it. My beloved Mavericks bounced back to life with one of their best performances of the season, pounding the Spurs, 103-81, in a critical Game 5, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Coach Carlisle moved Brendan Haywood into the starting lineup over Erick Dampier, and Caron Butler played like a man on a mission -- because he was. There was more than just a playoff series on the line for the Mavs; these guys, particularly Haywood and Butler, were playing for personal pride. Having not been with the Mavs but roughly half a season, neither of them was really enveloped in the Mavs-Spurs rivalry. Of course they were aware of it, but being thrown right into the middle of such mutual respect and complete and utter hatred between two top tier teams was something different entirely.

Dad and I were talking early on in the game and we decided that for Dallas to have any chance at all of pulling out the all-odds-are-against-them comeback to win this series, they would have to not just beat the Spurs, but beat the snot out of them. And lo and behold, that is EXACTLY what the Mavs did. On defense, they did it with 14 steals, 7 blocked shots, and by forcing 18 turnovers. Offensively, led by Butler's 35 points and 11 rebounds, Dallas had a +12 advantage (42-30) on points in the paint (proving how aggressive they were attacking the basket) and 23 fast break points, compared to just eight for the Spurs.

The tone was set very early on in the game, and although the Spurs did make a run to close the first half and cut the Mavs' lead to seven, when the Mavs hit the court to start the third, they kept the pedal to the metal and never looked back. They played with confidence, poise, and pride -- and they played together, as a unit. Those few minor adjustments made all the difference in the world.

Some might say the Mavs captured lightning in a bottle on Tuesday night, but I don't think so. My Mavs played like the team I know they are, the beasts I know they can be. They didn't whine about calls or non-calls from the officials, and they didn't let San Antonio dictate the pace of the game. They got out there and played their game at their speed and proved to all their naysayers, as well as Coach Popovich and his Spurs, that they aren't out of this series yet.

As Shawn Marion said, "I ain't seen no fat lady yet."

Here's hoping she doesn't rear her ugly head tonight in San Antonio.

I STILL BELIEVE!!