Mavs got the crucial game 4 win 99-90 over the Spurs on Saturday afternoon. Dallas has taken a commanding 3-1 series lead which is great, but it leads to more questions.
1. What will the Mavs do in game 5?
Well, game 5 in on my birthday so I hope they win, but I am not so sure. If game 5 starts off with the Mavs making their shots and having a good start to the game they will put the pedal down and try to finish this series off. If the Spurs come out and have early success with Parker and Duncan and the Mavs are missing shots, then Dallas will fold and just try to take it in game six. I kind of feel the Mavs won’t show up at all on Tuesday, but we will see.
2. Who would the Mavs want in the next round, Denver or New Orleans?
The Nuggets have the 2-1 series lead over the Hornets but still have game 4 to play in New Orleans. Who would the Mavs rather match up with here?
Denver has a long and athletic team and Chauncey Billups is ballin out of his mind right now. Plus, they swept the season series with the Mavericks 4-0. But…playoff success is fairly new to the Nuggets (besides Billups) because they haven’t been out of the first round in a while. Could that benefit the Mavs? Could Denver lose their cool?
If the Mavs got the Hornets, Dallas would have home court advantage, but do you really want to take your chances with Chris Paul again? He has absolutely owned the Mavericks. That is why this decision is tough, and luckily it will be made for us.
I would rather the Mavs take their shot at the Nuggets then have to deal with Chris Paul again this season.
3. Is this the end of this Spurs dynasty as we know it, or can Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili make one more run at it?
Obviously Tony Parker is fine and Manu should be a lot healthier next season, but how many more years does Duncan have in him? Can San Antonio manage to find more key role players around them like they have in the past? Roger Mason and George Hill aren’t bad, but they are going to have to replace Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley for sure.
I know I am getting a little ahead of myself here since the Mavs haven’t won the series yet, but come on. I don’t see THIS Spurs team making a comeback from 3-1. Game. Set. Match. It’s over!
