Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
March 27, 2015, 7:30 PM Spurs Time
TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

Let's try this again.

72 hours after being held to their lowest point total in a month, the Spurs get a chance at evening the season series against Dallas tonight. The two teams remain attached at the hip in the conference standings, with sixth-place San Antonio just a half game in front.

The 101-94 loss to the Mavs saw the mercurial Monta Ellis get to the hoop seemingly at will, tying his season high with a 38-point explosion. Ellis has been a moody locker room presence for the Mavs in the second half of the year, but he's still the type of explosive player that San Antonio can only hope to contain.

It's hard to say if 'Good Monta' will show up two nights in a row for Dallas -- who, like San Antonio, has not exhibited an incredible amount of consistency as of late -- but really this game comes down to if the 'Good Spurs' come to play.

Sure, it's been more good than bad over the past month; yet, the sense of urgency isn't there every night. After splitting games against Milwaukee and New York recently, Tim Duncan had this to say:

"It's just basketball," he said. "We played much better tonight and did all the little things you need to do. We shot the ball better and played much better defense. It is what we expect from our team."

It's just a post-game quote, of course, but one has to wonder if those words would've been uttered this time last year, when the team was steamrolling opponents.

Starting games hasn't been the problem for the Spurs, who've entered half-time with the lead the past 14 times they've suited up. But if the shots aren't falling in the second half, the team can get into trouble. Even games such as the Boston win have been complicated in the final quarter, with Pop having to send the starters back in to close things out.

With playoff implications on the line again, there's no shortage of intrigue in a matchup between two familiar rivals. We're not sure what face either team will show but, with the past three games decided by seven points or less, there's a good chance this one is again settled in the fourth quarter.

	vs.
Dallas Mavericks (45-27)		San Antonio Spurs (45-26)
March 27, 2015
AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
7:30 PM CDT
TV: FSSW Radio: WOAI 1200AM
Starters
Rajon Rondo	PG	Tony Parker
Monta Ellis	SG	Danny Green
Chandler Parsons	SF	Kawhi Leonard
Dirk Nowitzki	PF	Tiago Splitter
Tyson Chandler	C	Tim Duncan

For the Mavericks perspective, please visit Mavs Moneyball.

Game prediction: Spurs by 7.

As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and you can get your San Antonio Spurs tickets from Daniel Farias with Spurs Sports & Entertainment: Tel: 210-444-5607 | dfarias@attcenter.com