Mavs vs. Spurs series preview

2. Dallas Mavericks(55-27) vs. San Antonio Spurs(50-32)
Western Conference quarterfinals

Season series: 3-1 Mavs

Nov. 11: Spurs 92 Mavs 83 at San Antonio

Nov.18: Mavs 99 Spurs 94(OT) at Dallas
Jan. 8: Mavs 112 Spurs 103 at San Antonio
April 14: Mavs 96 Spurs 89 at Dallas

All-time playoff series: Mavs 2 Spurs 2

2001 West semifinals: Spurs 4 Mavs 1

2003 West finals: Spurs 4 Mavs 2
2006 West semifinals: Mavs 4 Spurs 3

2009 West quarterfinals: Mavs 4 Spurs 1

Mavs season leaders

PPG: Dirk Nowitzki, 25.0
RPG: Brendan Haywood, 9.3

APG: Jason Kidd, 9.1

Spurs season leaders

PPG: Tim Duncan, 17.9

RPG: Duncan, 10.1
APG: Tony Parker, 5.7

Expected starting lineups

Mavs: PG-Jason Kidd, SG-Caron Butler, SF-Shawn Marion, PF-Dirk Nowitzki, C-Erick Dampier

Spurs: PG-Tony Parker, SG-Manu Ginobili, SF-Richard Jefferson, PF-Tim Duncan, C-Antonio McDyess

Notes: Including the playoffs the Mavs have won 8 of the last 10 meeting between the teams. Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan are the only players to play in every Mavs-Spurs playoff series. The Mavericks have won at least 50 games for the last 10 years, while the Spurs have done it for 11 years. The Mavs and Spurs are the only playoff teams from the Southwest Division. The winner of the series will play the winner of the Phoenix-Portland series in the next round.

Prediction: Mavs in 6. The Mavs have the confidence they can beat the Spurs and are not intimidated playing in San Antonio. Although Manu Ginobili missed last year's series the Mavs are a much improved team, replacing Josh Howard, Antonie Wright and Brandon Bass with Caron Butler, Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood. Also the Spurs still have health concerns with Tony Parker not at 100% and with George Hill's ankle injury. The Spurs will not be an easy out as you know they will not go down without a fight, but this year's Mavs team is well equipped to take them out and could once again eliminate the Spurs on their own home court.