The Spurs held on to win Game 5 last night, 98-97. Like three of the first four games of this series, it could easily have gone either way, with Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki both missing game-winning shots in the last two and half seconds.
These two teams are so evenly matched no it's just ridiculous. I sincerely hope (and firmly believe) this is the beginning of a tremendous rivalry, one that really has never existed in pro sports within Texas. Both teams are still pretty young (the Mavs moreso than the Spurs) and should be at the top of the league for at least the next two or three years. We should have more of these titanic battles in the future. One hopes that next time it's in the Western Conf Finals, rather than the second round, but we shall see.
Neither team has much of anything to regret from last night. What is truly remarkable is how hot the Spurs, and especially Tim Duncan, were and how, despite that, the Mavs hung in throughout. A look at the halftime stats (the Spurs shot over 60% and Duncan didn't miss a shot) would have one believing the Spurs were dominating. Obviously, not so.
The thing which will spell doom for the Spurs in Game Six (big CIT prediction to follow) is the total lack of contribution offensively from anyone other than Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and Finley. Bruce Bowen didn't score a point, although he made the play of the game with that block of Dirk's shot in the waning moments, and no one else contributed much. The Mavs, on the other hand, have guys stepping up all over the place.
The Mavs are, according to Avery, treating Game Six as if it were Game Seven. They better, because no Mavs fan in their right mind wants to see Game Seven in San Antonio. I think the Mavs do close the deal at the AAC on Friday night, but it should be another war. There's no way the Spurs roll over.
We will be by the channel here at the CIT compound, along with just about everyone in Dallas and San Antonio. Bring it on!
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