NBA Playoffs: Mavs vs. Spurs Game 5

Despite a very slow start, the Spurs were able to outlast the Dallas Mavericks down the stretch. Ginobli was the factor coming off the bench and attacking the rim.  The Spurs moved the ball around well and were able to get a lot of easy baskets.

For Dirk Nowitzki it has been a slow on long series already.  The Spurs are concentrating a lot of their attention on Dirk and not giving him an inch of room to operate on the defensive end.  Dirk has done a good job of passing the ball out to his teammates but unfortunately that has been where the Mavericks have been inconsistent.  For Dallas to win Vince Carter and Monta Ellis have to be scorers. In game 4 the offense got stagnant and was left with a lot of bad shots and 3's being taken by Shawn Marion.  That will not win them games.

Keys for the Spurs 

1.  Ginobliiiiiii! When he is eurosteping in the lane and getting layups the other team is in trouble.  This gets him easy buckets, a lot of free throw attempts, and sets up his step back threes.  When Ginobli is playing well he is like a dagger in the side of his opponents.  He needs to score 20+ again.

2. Smother Nowitzki They have done a great job of bothering Nowitzki all series.  They do it better than any other team I have seen and they do it using several different guys.  Look for that trend to continue in game 4.

3. Tony Parker injury After playing with a sprain in his ankle in game 4 how Tony Parker will respond tonight is totally up in the air.  Not having him on the court will or him playing less than a 100% will be a blow to their chances.

Keys for Dallas

1. Stop letting the Spurs Bench Kill them: Ginobli, Diaw, and Mills cannot all be torching the Mavs.  Ginobli is going to get his points but the Mavs cannot allow Diaw to score close to 20 points a game.  They have to focus on the defensive end tonight.

2. Get Dirk in catch and shoot situations early. Dirk has had to deal with a lot of contact and tight defense.  Its like hes been trying to shoot in a phone booth with another person inside the booth at the same time.  The Mavs need to find a way to get the ball to him early of baseline screens and pin downs so he can shoot before the D gets there.  Dirk needs to have 25 Points tonight,

3. Monta Ellis. He needs to play aggressive.  The last few games he has been hesitant early when going into the paint.  He has turned the ball over, found guys who are open for a reason at the 3 point line, or put up a lousy shot.  He needs to take the spurs defenders off the dribble and attack the rim.  This will do wonders for their offense.

Prediction

These teams know each other well and it is going to take a complete team effort for either team to win.  This playoffs has been crazy so far so my prediction is going with the underdogs.  I think the Mavs bounce back tonight.  Mavs 98- Spurs 95 

*Side Note. PF for the Mavs Blair has been suspended for tonight game. More minutes for Brendan Wright.