Game 5: Mavericks 118, Warriors 112 (GS 3-2)

Reggie Miller and Dick Stockton (So) both made the point again and again that only a blowout victory would do. I am pretty sure that blowout wins are worth no more than 1-point wins. It is the first team to 4. It doesn’t matter how you get to 4. You just have to get there first to win the series. The Mavericks certainly did not blow out Golden State last night, but somehow they summoned up the energy to stay alive with a furious rally in the final 3 minutes. There will be a game Thursday. Here are the notes from Game 5:

• History will show that Dirk was much better last night. I am not sure he was until that last rally. In the 2nd half he got back to not shooting and not imposing his will on the game. But then, just when you thought it couldn’t be saved, he hit those back to back 3’s with a sweet defensive block in between. With 3 minutes to play, Dirk was on the verge of cementing his legacy in the wrong direction. But, when he had to, he grabbed the game by the neck and rescued the team like he should be able to do. He climbed right out of the grave. Is this the start of something amazing? Not sure anymore.

• Let the record show that we now have a healthy respect for the Golden State Warriors. They have many talented players who can make shots. They are not mentally weak, they are not intimidated by the moment. In a weird way, you kind of admire the struggle they are putting the Mavericks through (provided the Mavs live through this). To go on the road and survive a 21 point deficit, and to nail 16 3’s is just a sign that they are ready to win. Baron Davis leads them, but he is joined by some really nice players. They are not like the last decade of Golden State jokes.

• If you had Austin Croshere in the pool for “guy who may have saved the season” you are a winner. Did anyone see that coming? Wow! What a cold blooded performance – he just grabbed the ball and shot it like he plays all of the time. 3 for 4 from behind the line, and they needed every one of them.

• Matt Barnes can play. It pains me to admit it, but he is not some bit player. He is a solid contributor who happens to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

• You may not know who Sarunas Jasikevicius is. Well, he is a bench player for the Warriors who I remember as a starter on some pretty decent Maryland teams in the mid 90’s. Not sure where he has been for the last 10 years, but now he sits and watches the game. Anyway, on Dirk’s last 3 in front of the Warriors bench, Jasikevicius waves at Dirk and acts like he may come off the bench to block the shot. One of the equipment guys sees Sarunas and grabs him back to the bench at which point he seems to take a swing at the poor equipment guy. The Sportscenter clip doesn’t show the whole sequence, but if you still have the game on tape, take a quick look – it is good fun. Just a little story I wanted to tell you…Sounds good.

• Devin Harris has been a minor disappointment for his first 3 seasons. Let’s be honest. He is a top 5 pick, which is a spot reserved for stars. He was drafted moments before Steve Nash signed in Phoenix, and ever since we have hoped that he would step up and become a weapon at the point – for 3 years now. But, just when you think he is a spare part, Harris plays like he did last night and like he did in Game 2 in San Antonio last year. I keep thinking he is on the verge of a real breakout season like Josh had last season, and maybe it is right around the corner. But he deserves big credit for keeping the Mavericks in the game in the 4th Quarter.

• Wasn’t last night one of those games where you are happy, but you are also as worried as ever? That game was 100% mixed emotions. You feel good, but you know there is a ways to go. Thursday is the game of the year. And if they win, so is Saturday.

• So let me get this straight…you run a double team at Baron Davis, and he gives up the ball? Sounds good to me. I am looking forward to seeing more of that.

• Here is another piece of strategy. When Golden State is in transition, they all run to various points on the 3-point line and get ready to knock down the open shot. Perhaps, just perhaps, we should consider defending them.

• That guy who was wearing his sunglasses behind the Mavericks bench last night should have been ejected purely on principle.

• Stephen Jackson can play, but he is a dope.

• I’d like to give an assist for this win to the great Al Pacino.

• Down 9, 3 minutes to go. Anyone want to claim that they still believed?