More Top Picks Kamado Grills
player ready...When the expiration date to their basketball season clearly was stamped May 22, the Dallas Mavericks found an eraser that worked.
Trailing the Spurs in San Antonio by three points in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Mavs used a driving three-point play by Dirk Nowitzki–a layup and free throw with 21.6 seconds remaining–to tie the game and force overtime.
By going on to win that decisive game, the Mavs solidified their legitimacy as a championship contender.
And they did it on the road, where they find themselves hoping to secure their first spot in the NBA Finals with a victory at Phoenix on Saturday.
The Mavs, who lead the Western Conference finals 3-2, get two shots at dismissing Phoenix. Game 7, if needed, would be Monday in Dallas.
But a reservoir of victories on the road, Game 7 at San Antonio most prominent among them, gives the Mavs confidence that they can win Game 6.
“Once you get this far in the season, you can pretty much play anywhere,” guard Jason Terry said. “We’re confident in our system and in each other.”
Dallas was 26-15 on the road during the regular season, third best in the NBA behind San Antonio and Detroit. The Mavs are 5-3 away from the American Airlines Center in the playoffs.
As Mavs fans understand, when Avery Johnson became the team’s coach late last season, he began to change the culture, demanding that his players make defense, toughness and proper shot selection priorities.
Johnson also ushered a transformation for Nowitzki, from primarily a perimeter jump shooter–albeit a great one–to an all-around scorer who maneuvers toward the basket.