|
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Sayson: Mavs-velously for real
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – Maybe it’s just luck, or perhaps it’s destiny. To the mathematically inclined, the phenomenon could be explained as the law of averages finally yielding some favorable dividends to a team that has endured one heartbreaking postseason after another.
Whatever the reason, the freewheeling, sharp-shooting team from Dallas got a ticket to the Western Conference Finals for only the third time in its franchise history. Having always doubted their defense, their resiliency, and their mental toughness, I never thought I’d say this: The Mavericks are for real.
They lost a 3-1 series lead. They led by 20 in yesterday’s Game 7 and saw it vanish in a blizzard of cold shooting. They were in foul trouble, couldn’t stop Tim Duncan. They were down, 104-101, with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. And they played on the road.
Facing such impossibly adverse conditions, it appeared as though the basketball gods – again – dealt the Mavs a cruel hand. This time though, the Mavericks didn’t fold. They kept raising the ante, called every bluff, and pushed all-in when the stakes were highest.
After 48 minutes of regulation and a five-minute overtime, the Mavs, finally, grabbed all the chips.
Showing the poise and fortitude many thought they never had, the Mavs held back the rallying Spurs, dethroning Duncan and the defending champions with a 119-111 win at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Mavs became just the 18th team in NBA history to win a Game 7 away from home.
Dirk Nowitzki, perpetually maligned as being “soft,” showed the intestinal fortitude of an All-Star. With the Mavericks down by three in the final 32 seconds of regulation, Dirk drove through the teeth of the Spurs defense, blitzing past Bruce Bowen and drawing a hard foul from Manu Ginobili.
Nowitzki’s twisting lay-up went in. And as a 90 percent free-throw shooter, he calmly knocked down the bonus free throw to force overtime. Those extra five minutes were all the Mavs needed to seal their date with destiny.
“We believe it was our time to win this,” said Nowitzki, who sizzled for 37 points. The 7-foot German shot 11-of-20 from the field and 15-of-16 from the stripe. He also had 15 rebounds, three assists and a shotblock, stamping his class on both ends of the floor.
But it was a platoon of eager combatants, not a one-man army, that obliterated the Spurs. Jason Terry came back from suspension to score 27. Josh Howard battled foul trouble but still managed 18 points and six rebounds, while Jerry Stackhouse came off the bench for 13 points, including four that kept the Spurs at bay in OT.
A diehard Spurs fan, I confess my broken heart. But writing this column wasn’t hard at all. The class with which San Antonio showed in defeat made it oh so easy. If the Spurs could handle their frustrating meltdown with grace, the fans could, too.
When the final horn sounded, ending their fabulous season, each Spur went to congratulate their rivals. Though his heart bled, coach Gregg Poppovich had nothing but praise for Dallas.
“They obviously deserve to move on. It’s a disappointing loss for us. It’s impressive what Dallas has done. I wish them the best,” the Spurs coach said.
For a stretch in the final stanza, it loomed as though the Spurs were unbeatable. Ducan was on a tear, splitting double teams and finding the open teammates. The two-time MVP had 41 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
BEST SERIES. “It’s the best series I’ve ever played,” said Duncan, who shot 12-of-24 from the field and 17-of-23 free throws. Unbelievably, those mammoth numbers weren’t enough.
The Mavs countered Duncan’s dominance by making 42 of their 81 shots (51.9 percent). They fired 7-of-17 treys (41.2 percent) and 28-of-31 free throws (90.3 percent). The Mavs also controlled the boards, 41-34, and made just one more turnover (11) than the Spurs.
The Spurs starters did a splendid job. Ginobili had 23, Tony Parker tallied 24, Michael Finley shot for 12 while Bowen added nine. But it was the bench that betrayed the Spurs, producing only two points while Dallas’ reserves exploded for 29.
With the Spurs out the way, are the Mavs now the favorites to win the 2006 title?
Not necessarily. When a golfer beats Tiger Woods, it doesn’t mean he is better than Tiger Woods. And most certainly, the golfer who beats Tiger Woods doesn’t become Tiger Woods.
The Mavs did not become the Spurs overnight. But if they can score the way they did against the Spurs, contain Tim Duncan like they did in overtime, the sky is the limit.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 24, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
