I have been waiting for this time of the playoffs since the end of the season. It seems that this matchup has, and is going to be a staple of the Western Conference Playoffs. Of course, I am talking about the Western Conference Semifinal series between the rivals San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. It is the Battle of IH-35. And the Winner will probably play the Suns in the Western Conference Playoffs.

The Spurs and the Mavs have played each other four times in the season, each winning two out of the four games. That was just a foreshadowing of what this series should be. San Antonio, after getting a tough series from the Sacramento Kings, will be questioned thouroughly of how fatigue of playing two nights ago, plus the travel times, will affect their play. Especially since the Mavs took care of the Memphis Grizzlies in four. The Mavs will probably be fresher in the sense that they have had a pretty long layoff in between series. It will be contrasting styles at work though. San Antonios game is playing stifling Defense, and creating turnovers so that they can get the ball on the fastbreak to score easy points. For the Mavs, their defense has gotten better than a year ago, but thier main style is the fast paced, score till the sun sets type of offense. The Mavs must score at least 110 on San Antonio for them to have a shot at beating the Spurs.

So, something has got to give. If anything from the Sac Series has told people; although San Antonio did give up some points, they can run down the court and score points. But, as well, they can stop the quick Bibby and Wells. The big thing is for SA, is which team will come out and play tomorrow. They have showed two different squads, none of which have showed themselves consistently. The Spurs have the firepower in Bowen, Horry and Barry for the outside shot, and Parker, Manu and Timmy D can create on the inside. However, they all must show their game consistently, if they falter here, SA might not have the offensive power to hang with the Mavs. For the Mavs, its pretty simple, if SA plays their game like they should, then the Mavs will not be able to run their offense correctly. Dallas would be finished.

The Mavs and Spurs will play one of the greatest series in the NBA Playoffs this year. Both teams have split the season series, and both are capable of winning in the clutch. I can see this game going to seven games. A true battle. SA will win this one in 7.

Its a shame that ABC or ESPN cannot see this, as they put SA and Dal on the noon time game on Sunday. They put Lebron, and his sorry Cavs against the Pistons in the late time slot. That wont even get to 5 games, Detroit sweeps the Cavs, and Lebron will do his dissapearing act when he is under the magnifying glass.

I'm ready for this one, lets go San Antonio

Hook em and Go Miners