[season and playoff notes after the Dal-SA writeup] Dallas (59-22) at San Antonio (60-21) (April 16) The first sign that this game had absolutely no meaning for San Antonio was when the Spurs took their time coming out for warming up - they didn't come out until about 8 minutes were left (most teams come out with 20 to 15 minutes left). The seconds sign was the sight of Tim Duncan not in uniform. Stephen Jackson joined Duncan in not playing in this game. The Spurs had a nice little ceremony before the game where Duncan and David Robinson presented Avery Johnson a game ball commemorating his 1000 games played - and the fans, who still love AJ, gave him a nice ovation. [The Spurs also had a painful moment where they put the spot light to the rafters to their Midwest Division banner which lists the seasons they've won the division and pointed out their new 2002-03 listing.] The game started out with San Antonio holding small leads. The Spurs led 9-6 with 9:15 left and Dallas scored the next 11 points to go up 17-9 with 7:45 to go and Dallas held a single-digit lead for most of the rest of the quarter. Shawn Bradley had a dunk (with the pass from Nick Van Exel) and Van Exel scored the next 5 points to put Dallas up 30-18 with 1:10 remaining. Dallas led 30-20 after 1. Minus their big gun, San Antonio struggled shooting all night and only shot 30% FG in the 1st quarter while Dallas shot 52% FG. Dallas continued to lead in the 2nd quarter, but San Antonio scored 6 straight points to pull within 33-37 with 6:25 left and Dallas struggled shooting. The Spurs could get not closer than 4 points and Dallas' lead stayed in single-digits. With some home cooking, San Antonio scored the last 4 points of the half. Dallas led 45-41 at the half. Dallas only shot 6-24 FG in the 2nd quarter while San Antonio shot 7-16 FG. For the half, Dallas shot just 4-4 FT while San Antonio shot 13-14 FT - the refs stopped blowing their whistles (either way) in the 2nd half as there were only 8 free throws attempted in the 2nd half (4 for each team). A 3-pointer by Steve Nash gave Dallas a 10 point lead at 56-46 with 7:35 remaining, but San Antonio pulled within 6 points at 52-58 with 4:45 to go. Dallas then went on a 9-2 run to go up 67-54 with 2:30 remaining. Dallas led 72-60 after 3. Dallas scored the first 5 points of the 4th quarter to go up 77-60 with 11 minutes left and San Antonio never got closer than 14 points the rest of the way. Dallas won 93-72. The game played like one that had a little bit of meaning to one team and meant absolutely nothing to the other. Minus 2 of their starters, the Spurs did put up a little bit of a challenge in the 1st half, but they never found their shooting touch. Dallas wasn't shooting all that well themselves, but they were putting better players out there. Dallas shot 44% (40-91) FG including 6-17 3-pointers and San Antonio shot 36.1% (26-72) FG. Add to that the fact that Dallas out-rebounded San Antonio 44-43 and only allowed 7 offensive rebounds and you have a recipe for a blowout. San Antonio did have an advantage at the line in shooting 16-18 FT while Dallas shot just 7-8 FT. San Antonio turned the ball over 22 times. Thus ends the 02-03 regular season. Dirk Nowitzki led the charge for Dallas with 25 points including 9-24 FG, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Shawn Bradley had a nice performance with 15 points including 7-8 FG and 7 rebounds. Nick Van Exel was the 3rd Mav in double-digits with 14 points and 5 assists. Steve Nash had just 9 points on 4-12 FG, but did have 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Finley looked better in his 2nd game back from injury and had 7 points on 3-6 FG and 3 rebounds in 17 monitored minutes. Raja Bell chipped in 7 points and 9 rebounds. No one clicked for San Antonio, which is obvious with a team that had just 72 points. Steve Smith had 11 points including 4-11 FG and 1-7 3-pointers and 5 rebounds. Tony Parker had 10 points in 23 minutes (I wouldn't have played him that much in a meaningless game). And Steve Kerr was the only other Spur in double-digits with 10 points. David Robinson had 7 points and 9 rebounds in his final regular season game. Mengke Bateer came in during the 4th quarter and it was absolutely painful to watch him as he consistently turned the ball over and missed shots (he did make his last attempt in the final seconds, which the remaining crowd went nuts over). Quotes Don Nelson: "This was a very special win for us. I've been saying all along this is the best year I probably ever had coaching and this team has maxed itself out. What a wonderful regular season we had, and it's wonderful to have 3 [wins] going into the playoffs." Nelson, joking: "That's the best job we've ever done on Duncan. We shut him out tonight; it was an amazing defensive job by Shawn Bradley." Nelson: "We did a great job coming out and playing aggressively this year, and I am proud of the way we have played the last 3 games. This will be a chance for us to build on that success entering the playoffs." Nelson: "Despite the way that we have come out the last 2 days, we had a great season. I have been very proud of these guys. We set 2 franchise records. Tonight we won our 60th game and we also held set a franchise record for opponents field goal percentage. We did a great job of coming out and playing aggressively this year, and I am proud of the way we have played the last 3 games. This will be a chance for us to build on that success entering the playoffs." Nelson on Finley: "He is getting better. I think he is getting into a rhythm and looking better every day. He still is going out there and producing on the offensive end. I think that with a few days rest before the playoffs he will be able to get some rest and I think get back to the way he was playing before he was hurt." Michael Finley: "I was better than I was the last game and better than I was [Tuesday]. So for me, that's definitely a positive. I just felt myself out there at times thinking, and trying to do the right things and not even worried about my leg." Dirk Nowitzki: "We had to play hard because we're looking forward to the 2nd round. We want home court against Sacramento." Nowitzki: "We had a good year overall. The fact that we went out and got 60 wins is an amazing feat and definitely something that will be positive for us coming into the playoffs. We didn't have a good 10 last days, but I think that for us to come out and have home court advantage through the 1st round and also with the way we have been playing defensively the past few games we have potential to get on a run. We just have to stay focused and just continue to make plays." Nowitzki: "It's been an amazing ride and it's been fun. But the regular season doesn't mean anything if you don't perform in the playoffs." Nowitzki on 60 wins: "It's really special for Nellie because he's only done it one time before." Steve Nash: "We really played well tonight, and definitely got a challenge from San Antonio. Even though they didn't have Tim out there they still fought and hung with us. It is a very good basketball team and tonight we did a decent job defensively. We did a much better job of going to the glass, and I think to have success in the playoffs we are definitely going to have to do that." Nash: "I think we ended these last 3 games the way we wanted and hopefully that will give us more of an edge to focus." Nash: "I don't feel that good about the season. I guess I'll look back one day and feel good about it, but we didn't win the division and we didn't win our league. Those are things we set out to do, but we still have things ahead of us." Gregg Popovich: "It's a long regular season. We're ready for the playoffs. I don't think anyone says they want to play 10 more regular season games. If they do they're a crazy person." Popovich: "It was a good performance. I was pleased with the way the guys competed. We did a lot of different things and they adjusted well to it. They did a fine job." Popovich on Robinson: "David still needs to get in a rhythm because he's been out so much. We need to get him to a level where he can help us out. He's not quite at that level yet." Popovich on Ginobili's ankle: "He tweaked it again. I've been told it's not serious, that it's mild. I hope mild means okay." David Robinson: "Before the game, I was thinking back to my first regular season game against the Lakers and this is my last regular season game. It's kind of come full circle, it's been great. I don't like to end it with a loss but it was a fun game." Robinson: "I've been in and out of the lineup, so tonight was great. It felt good to run for a longer stretch out there." Robinson: "Our team is pretty good. Our guys are healthy. Were in good shape, playing pretty good basketball, tonight without 2 of our guns. Guys stepped up to the plate, they played well in a good stretch, and it's good times. Tonight was great. I got to run for a little longer stretch. I just felt good out there." Bruce Bowen on hack-a-Bowen: "I guess they figured if they could get me rattled, they would be even more successful." [hack-a-Bowen occurred with Dallas up by 6 midway through the 2nd quarter. He hit 3-4 FT and Dallas stopped fouling him after the 2nd time.] Steve Kerr: "You don't worry about anything. Were just preparing for the playoffs." Kerr on the game also possibly being Kerr's and Manning's last regular season game: "Danny and I talked about it before the game. We said this could be it, so we better enjoy it and get some shots up." Kevin Willis: "We are the #1 seed. All of our hard work has paid off. I'm glad it's over. I'm just looking forward to the playoffs." Dallas Mavericks 93, San Antonio Spurs 72 at San Antonio (April 16) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th - Final 2FG 3FG FG% FT% Dallas 30 15 27 21 - 93 .459 .353 .440 .875 San Antonio 20 21 19 12 - 72 .393 .250 .361 .889 Halftime: Dallas 45-41 3rd Q: Dallas 72-60 Technicals: none Refs: Bill spooner, Gary Benson, Joey Crawford Attendance: 19,217 (sellout) Dallas Mavericks REB Player MIN FGM-FGA 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA PTS O-T AST TO PF STL BLK Michael Finley 17 3-6 1-2 0-0 7 1-2 1 1 2 1 0 Dirk Nowitzki 38 9-24 2-3 5-5 25 1-10 6 3 3 4 0 Raef LaFrentz 29 3-9 0-4 0-0 6 0-3 0 0 3 1 2 Steve Nash 31 4-12 1-3 0-0 9 1-5 10 2 2 0 0 Raja Bell 35 3-7 0-2 1-1 7 2-9 0 2 2 1 0 Shawn Bradley 19 7-8 0-0 1-2 15 2-7 0 0 2 0 0 Nick Van_Exel 27 6-10 2-3 0-0 14 0-3 5 1 1 1 0 Avery Johnson 13 2-4 0-0 0-0 4 0-0 1 0 2 0 0 Adrian Griffin 23 2-6 0-0 0-0 4 1-3 5 1 0 4 0 Eduardo Najera 8 1-5 0-0 0-0 2 1-2 0 0 1 0 0 Totals 48 40-91 6-17 7-8 93 9-44 28 11 18 12 2 San Antonio Spurs REB Player MIN FGM-FGA 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA PTS O-T AST TO PF STL BLK Bruce Bowen 24 0-2 0-1 3-4 3 0-3 2 0 0 0 0 Malik Rose 18 1-6 0-0 5-6 7 2-5 1 6 4 1 0 David Robinson 27 2-4 0-0 3-3 7 2-9 1 4 2 2 2 Tony Parker 23 5-13 0-3 0-0 10 0-0 2 3 3 1 0 Steve Smith 37 4-11 1-7 2-2 11 0-5 1 1 2 1 0 Kevin Willis 14 1-3 0-0 0-0 2 0-5 0 1 1 0 1 Emanuel Ginobili 11 1-2 1-1 2-2 5 0-2 1 0 2 0 0 Steve Kerr 24 4-8 2-3 0-0 10 0-2 0 2 0 0 0 Speedy Claxton 26 4-9 0-0 1-1 9 1-2 4 0 0 0 0 Danny Ferry 25 3-9 0-1 0-0 6 2-9 1 1 2 0 0 Mengke Bateer 11 1-5 0-0 0-0 2 0-1 1 3 3 0 0 Totals 48 26-72 4-16 16-18 72 7-43 14 22 19 5 3 Dallas finished the 02-03 regular season with a record of 60-22! The 60 wins is the most the team has ever won (won 57 last season and won 55 in 86-87). 60 wins tied San Antonio for the most wins in the league. Dallas finished with a record of 33-8 at home (tied 2nd best - 33-8 in 87-88 and 35-6 in 86-87) and 27-14 on the road (tied best - 27-14 01-02). Dallas had a winning month every month of the season. 16 times this season, Dallas won by more than 20 points. Dallas set a team record by shooting 82.9% FT (old: 80.6% FT). Dirk Nowitzki made the most free throws for a season with 483 (old: 465), Nowitzki set the team record with 710 defensive rebounds (old: 678), and Steve Nash shot a team best 90.9% FT (old: 89.8%). Nash's free throw shooting was also 3rd best in the league. Nash was the only Mav to play all 82 games and led the team in assists with 7.3 assists (8th best in league) and Nowitzki led the team in scoring with 25.1 points (6th best in league) and rebounds with 9.9 rebounds (7th best in league). Despite tying San Antonio for the best record in the league, Dallas received the #3 seed for the playoffs - San Antonio had the tie breaker with Dallas (better conference record) and got the #1 seed and the #2 seed went to Sacramento for winning the Pacific division. If Dallas and Sacramento advance to the 2nd round, Dallas will have home court advantage as home court advantage goes to the team with the better record, regardless of seeding. It was strongly looking like Dallas was going to face the LA Lakers in the 1st round of the playoffs, but the #6 seed was not settled until the final buzzer of the regular season. On Wednesday, first Minnesota defeated Memphis to clinch the #4 seed. Then the Lakers took care of business and defeated Golden State to still given them a shot at the #5 seed. And then Portland choked in a 93-117 loss to the struggling LA Clippers. And the Lakers got the #5 seed and Portland fell to the #6 seed. So Dallas will face Portland in the 1st round. First round schedule: Game 1: Portland at Dallas Saturday 4/19 7:00 pm on ch. 21/TNT Game 2: Portland at Dallas Wednesday 4/23 8:30 pm on ch. 21/TNT Game 3: Dallas at Portland Friday 4/25 9:30 pm on ch. 21/ESPN Game 4: Dallas at Portland Sunday 4/27 7:00 pm on ch. 21/TNT *Game 5: Portland at Dallas Wednesday 4/30 TBA *Game 6: Dallas at Portland Friday 5/2 TBA *Game 7: Portland at Dallas Sunday 5/4 TBA *if necessary [note that last year, TNT was blacked out for the home games] Regular season results against Portland: 11/11 Dallas 82, Portland 73 at Dallas [Derek Anderson, Bonzi Wells DNP] 12/4 Dallas 103, Portland 88 at Portland [Eduardo Najera DNP] 1/26 Portland 100, Dallas 93 at Dallas [Rasheed Wallace DNP] 3/28 Portland 112, Dallas 95 at Portland [Michael Finley DNP] The playoff rosters were due Thursday and, not surprisingly, Popeye Jones, Antoine Rigaudeau, and Avery Johnson were left off the roster. The 12 players on the roster are: Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Raja Bell, Shawn Bradley, Evan Eschmeyer, Michael Finley, Adrian Griffin, Raef LaFrentz, Eduardo Najera, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Nick Van Exel, and Walt Williams. The playoff roster is set for the entire playoffs - there are no injury replacements. Don Nelson will again have Johnson join the team's coaching staff during the playoffs. patricia Go Mavs!