Dallas heads to San Antonio as two of the Mavericks' newest additions, especially Caron Butler (above), come up big. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)The Dallas Mavericks needed someone besides Dirk Nowitzki to step up in Game 5 in order for them to have a chance to extend the series one more game. Nowitzki had a good all-around night with 15 points (7-14 shooting), nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. But the Mavericks got much more in the form of Caron Butler's career playoff-high 35 points, to lead all scorers, as the Mavericks dominated Game 5 in Dallas against the San Antonio Spurs.
"He had a great rhythm going," Coach Rick Carlisle said.
"I thought his game tonight was a function of not only how well he was playing, but the guys around him had a feel for getting him the ball, creating space for him to drive, that sort of thing."
Butler went 12-24 from the floor (8-9 from the free-throw line), had three steals, and added 11 rebounds for a Mavericks team that out-rebounded the Spurs 51-42. His relentless attack of the rim (as evidenced by the free throw attempts) epitomized the Mavericks' overall effort.
"I wasn't second guessing myself," Butler said. "If the shot was there, I was taking it."
Brendan Haywood also made a big splash, starting his first game of the playoffs, scoring eight points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking four shots as his defensive intensity reflected the Mavs team effort on that side of the ball. Tim Duncan, Haywood's main-priority on the defensive end, made only 3-9 shots for 11 points and six rebounds. As a team, San Antonio shot their lowest percentage from the field for the series at 35.9 percent (3-16 from 3) as Dallas had 14 steals and forced 18 turnovers that led to 24 Mavericks' points. Offensively, Haywood made only one shot from the field, but that was one more than previous starter Erick Dampier had made in the other four games combined.
"It was a decision to change the dynamics a little bit," Carlisle said. "It was a bit of a gut feel. I just felt the time was right to do it. Damp was great about it."
Dallas led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter, led by Butler's 19 first-half points, but that "here we go again" feeling came back as the Spurs went on an 11-2 run to end the half, cutting the Mavs lead to 53-46 at halftime. However, the Mavericks rebounded nicely to start the second half. Dallas began the third quarter with two steals on the first three Spurs' possessions as the Mavericks jumped out to a 10-0 run and never looked back.
The lead hovered around the 20's for the majority of the second half and grew to as many as 25 points (101-76 late in the fourth) as the Mavericks never took their foot off the gas pedal, going for the jugular against the Spurs. With defeat imminent, Spurs' Coach Gregg Popovich waived the white flag early in the fourth quarter as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Richard Jefferson all began (and ended) the final frame on the bench. Dallas dominated throughout as San Antonio's only lead of the game was 6-4 in the first quarter.
"Mostly it was the case of they came away with the mental and physical toughness, and our starting group wasn't very good in either category." Popovich said.
Dallas pushed tempo all evening, finishing with 23 fast-break points and playing like they should have: a desperate team. The Mavericks also dominated the Spurs down-low as 18 of their first 27 makes from the field were in the paint. For the game, Dallas had 42 points in the paint compared to only 30 for San Antonio.
"This series is all about being aggressive, the kind of spirit you bring to it," Carlisle said. "There were plenty of times tonight when our team wasn't necessarily in the right place coverage-wise, but we hard-played our way through it. That's what it takes.
"We're going to have to continue with this going forward."
This was a great effort from the Mavericks; just what you wanted to see in an elimination game at American Airlines Center. There is still a tough road ahead, but if the Mavericks are able to manufacture the same effort they brought with them on both ends of the court, they have a great shot at forcing a Game 7 in Dallas.
Game 6 is Thursday night in San Antonio, expect a full-preview in the 48-hours leading up to the game.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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