It was the game the Mavs should have won. The Spurs were coming off a Game 6 victory in Sacramento about 36 hours before yesterday's noon start, and the Mavs had a week of rest. The Mavs should have been fresher and more prepared. Instead, the Mavs failed to expose the Spurs' fatigue, as the Mavs consistently played into the Spurs' half-court game. Even when Devin Harris and Jason Terry tried to penetrate the lane, they quickly returned to the top of the key to reset the offense. The plodding style ensured that the Spurs had enough energy to stifle the Mavs' offense in the second half. But energy levels aren't the whole story. While the Spurs deserve credit for their defensive work in Game 1, the Mavs obviously choked in their most pressure-packed game of the season. Two stats defined the Mavs' meltdown: 1. 19-28 from the free-throw line (67.9%) 2. The Mavs scored two points in the final 3:51 of the game The free-throw percentage is very uncharacteristic of a Mavs' team that consistently knocked down its free throws during the regular season (78.3 %) and Grizzlies' series (85.5%). While I understand that Dampier isn't reliable at the free-throw line, it's deflating to watch Dirk Nowitzki clang his tries off the iron. Three more free throws and the Mavs win the game. Was the team feeling the mental pressure of facing the defending champs? The final four minutes of the game epitomized the Mavs' offensive ineptitude in the second half. The team was up by 6 at halftime, and they seemed to play as if they were afraid of losing the lead. Even when they had chances to take a double-digit lead, none of the Mavs had the killer instinct. It seemed like no one wanted to be the player who made a critical mistake down the stretch, and this attitude sapped the Mavs' aggressive edge. When the Mavs' weren't turning the ball over, they were settling for outside jumpshots. Only Jerry Stackhouse seemed to have the jumpshot consistently working, but if Stackhouse is your offensive centerpiece, you're not going to win many NBA Playoff games. The Mavs need to remember that they're the fresher, hungrier team. Meanwhile, the Spurs are aging and vulnerable. But the Mavs aren't going to win many games scoring only 85 points. Dirk must shoulder the burden of putting the team over the century mark in points scored. The defense was there in Game 1, and the Mavs would have taken it if Dirk had brought his "A" game. One other stat of note is the "DNP" next to Darrell Armstrong's play. This team was in dire need of some on-court leadership in Game 1. Armstrong can bring the "no fear" attitude that the team desperately needs. If the Mavs start out sluggish in Game 2, Avery Johnson needs to bring him into the game to attack the Spurs. There's no reason for the Mavs to be playing scared as the Spurs are very beatable. Someone just needs to let the players know.