Spurs 90 Mavericks 85: WCQF Game 1 Review

CLOSE BUT NOT CLOSED
Slow start and poor finish doom Mavs chance for Game 1 upset.

Leaders

Mavs
Points: Harris, 19
Rebounds: Nowitzki, Dalembert, 8
Assists: Harris, 5
+-: Crowder, +16
Spurs
Points: Duncan, 27
Rebounds: Splitter, 11
Assists: Parker, 6
+-: Duncan, +24

Game Ball
Tim Duncan
27 pts., 7 rbs., 12-20 FG

X-Factor
Devin Harris
19 pts., 5 ast., 8-16 FG

Goat
Mavericks starting 5 that only scored 39 points on 16-50 shooting.

Play of the Game
Tony Parker's spin-cycle layup that put the Spurs ahead to stay with 3:25 to go.

Stat of the Game
Spurs win despite shooting only 3-17 on threes, all by Manu Ginobili.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: C-
Marion: C
Dalembert: C
Ellis: D+
Calderon: D+
Harris: A
Carter: C+
Wright: B
Crowder: A-
Blair: D

Additional Notes
This was the Mavs' tenth straight loss to the Spurs and their fifth straight playoff loss since the 2011 championship clincher.
Dirk's 11 points were his lowest in a playoff game since Game 4 of the 2006 WCF. He scored 50 in the next game.
The Spurs' big 3 of Parker, Duncan and Ginobili combined for 65 of the team's 90 points.
The Mavs went scorless of 5:40 after taking a 10 point lead with 7:45 to go. The Spurs went on a 15-0 run in the span.

Quote of Note
''They're not necessarily unbelievably athletic and long, but they are very smart. What they want to do defensively is take you out of your comfort zone.''
Dirk on the Spurs' defense

Next Up
The Mavs will have two days off to lick their wounds before Game 2 happens Wednesday at 7:00.