Mavs

[Hoop Fan]

So do the Mavericks complete the collapse tonight? Its gonna be hard to swallow if the Spurs win this series, but how many times do you win a Game 7 on a defending champs homecourt? The whistles and the emotion will probably be against the Mavs tonight. Mavs missed Terry big time the other night, but it was more disappointing to see Stackhouse and Marquis play so bad in a big game. Looked like the old scared Mavericks on Friday.

[Danny Noonan]

So do the Mavericks complete the collapse tonight? Its gonna be hard to swallow if the Spurs win this series, but how many times do you win a Game 7 on a defending champs homecourt? The whistles and the emotion will probably be against the Mavs tonight. Mavs missed Terry big time the other night, but it was more disappointing to see Stackhouse and Marquis play so bad in a big game. Looked like the old scared Mavericks on Friday.

Its got to be in their heads at this point. The only good thing about Terry not playing in Game 6 is that it gives them an excuse for losing and a reason to be positive for Game 7.

All you have to do is watch Game 1-6 to know the Mavs definately have a chance to win. This one will probably be decided in the last 5 minutes like all of them (minus Game 2). Hopefully they'll be clutch like Games 3 & 4, rather than blow it like Games 1, 5, & 6.

On a side note, I'm pretty embarassed for our owner and many of our fans. Just a little bit of class would be nice, especially regarding Finley - a guy that left it all out on the floor when this team was an embarassment. And was a class-act on the court and in the community for years.

[smupony94]

Spurs all the way

[couch 'em]

The Finley thing is silly, but that is how it goes when you are on a heated rival's team. I would hope the reaction won't be so negitive next time Finely is in town and it isn't the playoffs.

I have been saying since game 1 that we will have a game 7 - the league loves the high ratings, and any time you get two teams this close in ability it allows the refs to engineer games. One day it will be revealed how corrupt NBA refs are.

[Hoop Fan]

yea, Cubans become a joke. Mostly an embarrassment, but at least the tv cameras have stopped showing most of his antics like they used too. I will say though the inconsistency and randomness of NBA officiating really hurts the game. Its a hard job but there is too much favortism in calls. Beyond the home court slant that will always exist, they make calls based on the reputations of the players way too much. Its tempting to think things might be fixed at times, but I don't believe that is the case, just human biases.

[smu diamond m]

yea, Cubans become a joke.

I had to read that twice.

I don't think his outbursts are without merit though. I haven't been into the NBA much until last years heartbreaking playoffs, but the officiating leaves something to be desired. But then again, to have refs without favorites you would need refs that don't know the game

[LA_Mustang]

All of Cuban's foolishness will be forgotten if the Mavs win tonight. JET and Stack need to show up and this is the game for Dirk to prove he's an elite player. Game 7s in the playoffs are when the true superstars step up......will Dirk tonight?

Mavs 96
Spurs 93

F- the Spurs.

[PonyPride]

Neither team wants to face the great Quinton Ross!

[SMU Football Blog]

I actually feel pretty good about tonight's game from the Mavs' perspective. I thought the game Friday night was the single oddest officiating performance I have ever seen. Without their second leading scorer and Harris and Stack disappearing, the Mavs were still in it at the end.

[deleted] Bavetta won't let the Mavs down!

[MustangIcon]

My favorite officiating inconsistincey this series has come with the travel calls. I bet each of these teams has had maybe 10-15 travels called on them for the SEASON. Now in one playoff series we see prolly 5 or more called on each team? You can't all the sudden begin to enforce the travel rule which is widely diregarded in the NBA. Also, they are also inconsistent on a per game basis. The players aren't altering their style. If you call traveling on Parker/Ginobli/Harris/Howard in the 1st quarter you need to be making the calls when they are guilty of the same moves in the 3rd or 4th quarter. Very curious as to what sort of logic is being used by these refs.

Spurs might not win this if they try to go small all game long. If Duncan has 0 or 1 fouls half way through the second quarter I think you see the Spurs go big and try to pound the Mavs in the post. Pop hasnt tried this all series and Ive got to believe he will pull something out of his hat in game 7.

[ponyboy]

My gut tells me that the Mavs win. All depends on Duncan who to me is the best player in the game and isn't generally recognized as such because of his lack of flash and self promotion.

Go Mavs!

[RGV Pony]

I was at that game Friday night. Multiple times in the first half, the Mavs were in position to put some distance between themselves and the Spurs (push the lead to 10, etc.). Each time, some kind of bogus officiating call turned the tide. One play that happened right in front of me was a foul on Van Horn-where the Spur (think it was Horry...if not, Duncan)...initiated contact...only Van Horn moved out of the way, and NO contact was made. Foul. Every time Tim Duncan touched the ball: Foul.

Of course, had Stack not launched 7 consecutive bricks and had Devin Harris played a smarter game, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[DickerJames]

yea, Cubans become a joke. Mostly an embarrassment, but at least the tv cameras have stopped showing most of his antics like they used too.

The worst thing about pro sports today is owners that inject themselves into the limelight and constantly make asses of themselves. Did you see Cuban pull the old junior high fake fist bump with Eva Longoria Friday. Pop said it best, Cuban needs to have a margarita and look at life more maturely.

I think the Mavs are going to win this thing tonight.

[MustangIcon]

I came away super impressed by the Mavs tonight. They sure did choke away the lead but the way the finished off the Spurs was impressive.

I still can't stand Cuban. I hope some NBA ref grows a pair and throws him out next time he charges the court just like they would any other fan sitting in the stands.

[smupony94]

As a Spurs fan I give it up to the Mavs