Game 2 Mavericks-Spurs Preview -Predictions

<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1361620">Associated Press</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
May. 20, 2003 5:08 p.m. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>GAME:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>PLAYOFF SERIES:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Western Conference finals; Game 2. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>TIME:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT. <br>
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After showing San Antonio the importance of free throw shooting in Game 1, the Dallas Mavericks hope to show the Spurs how it feels to be down 2-0 when they face the Spurs at the SBC Center. <br>
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The Mavericks made 49 straight foul shots in Game 1 to rally past the Spurs for an unlikely 113-110 victory. Dallas trailed by as many as 18 points for nearly the entire game, but it closed with a 24-9 run to steal the win. <br>
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Duncan, who shot 71 percent from the line this season, missed four of his last six free throw attempts as the game slipped away. The league MVP went 12-for-19 from the foul line on the night, a main reason for San Antonio's loss. <br>
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For the game, the Spurs made 31 of 48 free throw attempts, while the Mavericks were perfect after missing on their first try. <br>
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"It's been a weakness of ours all year," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "When you get to the final four teams, those things rear their head. ... You miss (17) of those babies, that's giving the game away." <br>
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While the Spurs need to improve their foul shooting in Game 2, they also need to concentrate on stopping Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki. The 7-foot forward had 38 points and 15 rebounds in Game 1, making all 17 of his foul shots. <br>
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"He showed again that he has a total complete game tonight and affirmed his superstar status," teammate Steve Nash said of Nowitzki. "He loves the big game and he loves the prime-time stage." <br>
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The Spurs will counter Nowitzki with Duncan, whose free throw woes overshadowed an otherwise spectacular game in the opener. The All-Star tied a playoff career-high with 40 points, to go along with 15 rebounds and seven assists. <br>
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"He was unstoppable tonight," Nowitzki said after the game. "We tried to do more double-teaming tonight and he really got out there and just made plays. He really kept them in the game." <br>
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The Mavericks know that a win in Game 2 would give them an advantage that could prove insurmountable, as they head back to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. <br>
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"Our mindset now is to go for the jugular," Dallas guard Nick Van Exel said. "It will be tough, but we will try and limit Duncan and go for it." <br>
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San Antonio reserve forward Malik Rose, who was forced out of Monday's game in the fourth quarter when he was knocked down and kneed in the head, is expected to play in Game 2. Rose is averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds off the bench in the postseason. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>HOW THEY GOT HERE:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Mavericks - 60-22, 3rd seed; beat Portland Trail Blazers 4-3, first round; beat Sacramento Kings 4-3, conference semifinals. Spurs - 60-22, 1st seed; beat Phoenix Suns 4-2, first round; beat Los Angeles Lakers 4-2, conference semifinals. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>PROBABLE STARTERS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Mavericks - F Raja Bell, F Nowitzki, C Raef LaFrentz, G Nash, G Michael Finley. Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Duncan, C David Robinson, G Stephen Jackson, G Tony Parker. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>PLAYOFF TEAM LEADERS:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Mavericks - Nowitzki, 26.1 ppg and 11.8 rpg; Nash, 7.3 apg. Spurs - Duncan, 24.6 ppg, 14.0 rpg and 5.2 apg. <br>
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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>REGULAR SEASON SERIES:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Tied, 2-2. Each team won once on the opponents' home floor, but Dallas' regular season-ending 93-72 win at San Antonio on April 16 was rendered meaningless after the Mavericks' late-season swoon allowed the Spurs to take the Midwest Division title and the top seed in the West. Duncan sat that game out, but averaged 23.5 points and 15.5 rebounds in the Spurs' two wins over Dallas. Duncan was held to 11 points and six boards in the Mavericks' 95-87 home victory on Feb. 20. <br>
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I wish they would mention who the refs for each game would be ahead of time....... <p></p><i></i>

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I wish they would mention who the refs for each game would be ahead of time....... <br>
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They can't do that because then everyone knows how to bet. Sad state the NBA is in now where knowing the officials names gives you a clearer idea of who will win and by how much. <p></p><i></i>

Mavs 89<br>
Spurs 102 <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/robinson_030222.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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Spurs 101<br>
Mavs 93 <p>--<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:brown;font-size:small;">I come from a dusty place<!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><br>
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Okay, I guess I have recovered enough to have my say about Monday debacle! I don't care how bad or good the officiating is, the Spurs still should have won!! There is no way that the Mavs are better defensively that the Spurs--end of story.<br>
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Spurs 97<br>
Mavs 88 <p></p><i></i>

If the Mavs clear 100 we are going to have trouble with them. We NEED to force them to play our style of game.<br>
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Spurs 102<br>
.allas 96 <p>-Brian</p><i></i>

Mavs will do a better job controlling Duncan and with different refs, will be allowed to play defense on him without getting touch fouls called all night<br>
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Mavs - 107<br>
Spurs - 103 <p></p><i></i>

Duncan scores 45 and 15. He gets everything he wants Mavs win it:<br>
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Mavs: 105<br>
Spurs: 99 <p></p><i></i>

Spurs 105<br>
Mavs 85<br>
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There will not be freakishly tight officiating two nights in a row. This favors the team that plays better when the clock is running. Nobody on the Mavs can stop or even slow Duncan. Get ready for a long night Mavs fans. Hack-a-Bowen won't be enough to prevent your demise. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=voraciouswolf>VoraciousWolf</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://members.vavo.com/schlock/10x10icons/se.gif" BORDER=0> at: 5/21/03 12:21:47 pm<br></i>

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I wish they would mention who the refs for each game would be ahead of time....... <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>
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You guys are beginning to sound like Kings fans. <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/SuperB2000.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><br /><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SwDfAqwVoSVoAA32Jm63CuxkhPlLG1RqItvUz6P0G2ZGqaXsdIsZvNTNsBVZMxIZNDjzIfjswtSZoXeps8JXpUlpuKtG4PcrvHag9GcALTXKmz0fMIgxVA/super-B20001.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></p><i></i>

Well put it like this SuperB, If the Mavs shoot 50 fts they will win, no matter who is officiating the game. Better?<br>
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Spurs 95<br>
Mavs 88 <p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>You guys are beginning to sound like Kings fans. <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>
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Thank you. Most Kings fans I've encountered have been knowledgeable, dedicated, and classy. <p></p><i></i>

Spurs - 100<br>
Mavs - 97<br>
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Mavs 98<br>
Spurs 92<br>
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I think the game will slow a little and free throws will be down. <p></p><i></i>