Last Stand? Mavs-Spurs Tonight At 8:30

Rick Carlise has the unenviable task of being only the ninth team in NBA history to climb out of a 3-1 hole to win the series. Luckily for Carlise, not only has he done it before, so has one of his best players. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Down 3-1 in their best-of-seven-series, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in the nearly impossible situation of having to win three straight games to keep their playoff-hopes alive.

It's obviously not where the Mavericks pictured themselves after four games, especially after their Game 1 victory. But, hey, the Mavericks do play two of the three at home and the Spurs just won in the same format to take the 3-1 series lead. Here are a couple more reasons for some optimism going into Game 5.

Shawn Marion and Rick Carlisle Were on Two of the Eight Teams That Made History


Marion (2006 with the Phoenix Suns) and Carlisle (2003 Detroit Pistons)  both played key roles on the last two teams that have been able to come back from down 3-1. Both of those teams were in the same position Dallas is with three games left, and were able to win them all.

"This is difficult," Carlisle said. "But this is the ultimate in this game, to have this challenge put in front of you that no one thinks you can do."

Marion also had some words for his teammates coming into tonight's game, as he has the benefit of being apart of the last team to pull of this feat.

"They believed they were the better team that year, had a couple of tough losses, stuck together and fought through it," Dirk Nowitzki said of Marion's motivational speech. "That's what you have to do in a situation like that - keep believing in each other, play together and just play a little smarter and a little harder down the stretch and we can get it done."

It obviously won't be easy, but at least Dallas has two pivotal pieces that have both been able to make history.

Two of the Three Games Are at Home

The Mavericks split the first two games of this series on their home-floor, but overall this season Dallas fared well at the AAC. Dallas had the 10th best record in the NBA this season at home (28-13). While the Mavericks did have their ups-and-downs at home throughout the season, most of that was due to a lack of motivation or effort. It would be difficult to imagine the Mavs not coming out ready to play tonight at home and if they game reaches a Game 7.

And, lets not forget, the Mavericks had the best record of any team in the NBA on the road this season. Especially considering the fact that Dallas lost the first two games of the series in San Antonio, the Mavs are due for a win, right?

Add this all together and it certainly doesn't mean Dallas is a lock to to take out the Spurs in round one. But, I think we should put away our pitchforks and try to enjoy the rest of the ride while it lasts - and save some of the bitching and moaning for the offseason.

Also keep in mind that its not like the Spurs have just been whooping up on Dallas these last two games. San Antonio has won by a total of seven points in the last two contests and a couple of plays here and there and Dallas in the team up 3-1 going into to this game.

Game 5 Prediction

Honestly, I think the Dallas Mavericks have a great shot tonight at home. The Mavericks must refuse to go small and heavy minutes need to go to Caron Butler and Marion - the two guys brought in to make Dallas a title-contender. If Carlisle refuses to play Butler for an entire half (Game 3) or Marion in the fourth quarter (Game 4), I believe he is done as the Mavericks' head coach after this season. Along these same lines, J.J. Barea must not play any more than 6-10 minutes off the bench. If Carlisle wants to win, he will stick with a bigger lineup and play Barea only as a change-of-pace guard.

Dallas likely won't win the series, as I think San Antonio celebrates advancing to round two in Game 6. But, if Dallas can find a way in Game 6, then Game 7 is anybody's game.

Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on NBA TV and locally on KTXA 21.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)