Unfortunately for the Mavericks there are no back to back games in the playoffs.  Why is this so unfortunate one might ask.  Well, the Spurs have struggled mightily this season in those games.  Of San Antonio's 18 losses this season, 10 have come on the second night of a back to back.  Now this of course is evidence that the Spurs' performances have been less than stellar when they are playing on little rest.  However, this means that when one eliminates the possibility of any back to back games in the playoffs the Spurs record looks a little bit scarier.  Winning 60 of the 68 games they have played when not including those 10 losses makes the Spurs a formitable foe...when they have rest.

The Mavericks are a very good team, but they are not great.  They are the only team with a bench that rivals that of the Spurs with guys like 6th man of the year candidate Jerry Stackhouse.  In the playoffs having depth in the bench is obviously very important.  Playing 90-100 games in 7 months can definitely take its toll.  This is something that has been called into question for a team like the Pistons who possess little depth with the exception of Antonio McDeyess.

The Mavericks problem, however, does not lie in their bench.  Their problem lies in the San Antonio Spurs.  The Spurs are too good, and are only getting better.  With injuries hindering their play much of the season, Pop is gearing them up for the postseason.  Nick Van Exel and Mike Finley are finding their groove, and everyone knows that Big Shot Bob doesn't play until the playoffs.  Beno Udrih was playing very solid while Nick Van Exel was out until he sprained his ankle a couple of weeks ago.  

Bench play aside, the Spurs have one valuable asset that the Mavericks do not.  The Spurs have proved that they can win it before.  Pop and the rest of the coaching staff have an edge over almost any other staff in that they know what it takes to win in the playoffs.  The Mavericks have yet to shed the label of team that is built for the regular season.  Its hard to see what piece of the puzzle they are lacking.  In previous years it has undoubtedly been their defense, or lack thereof.  However, with Avery Johnson's added emphasis on D this year that could change. 

The question then becomes what are they missing?  Its not that they are missing anything really.  Its just that the Spurs are...well....a better team.  In a 7 game series Dallas will have a very difficult time beating the Spurs, a team that can beat you in so many different ways.  On paper the Spurs are just too good of a team.  Of course, as they say, that is why they play the games.