First Half Musings: DAL/SA Game 1

Dallas got to the line early and often in the first quarter while working through a slow start. Caron Butler, with his Intense Playoff Face, gave Dallas a lift.

Good pace and energy from Dallas offensively midway through the first. As always, it all starts with Kidd rebounding and pushing; about as comfortable-looking a fast break as one can look.

I hope referee Bennett Salvatore got a nice reception. And by nice, I mean lots and lots of boos. Yes, I’m still bitter about 2006.

With every cut, every screen, there are arms flailing and shoving. There will be at least one fight, hopefully involving DeShawn Stevenson.

The first of Jason Kidd’s patented toe-on-the-line twos for the night. I wonder how many points he’s left behind because of this.

23-18 Dallas at the end of one. Defensively, Mavericks did a good job limiting the Spurs to one shot, which set their secondary break up nicely. Tony Parker, with his history of torching Dallas, started to heat up near the end of the quarter.

Heywood throws down a dunk and shows his Intense Playoff Face. Love the intensity that he and Butler are bringing to this game, it hasn’t always been a staple of the Dallas Mavericks.

Mid-second quarter and Dallas has six offensive rebounds to San Antonio’s one. Meanwhile, it looks as though Ginobli is going to be able to weave through this defense whenever he wants.

Same old, same old: It’s the Spurs’ Big Three of Parker, Duncan and Ginobli causing the most damage while Dirk is raining on just about whoever San Antonio throws at him. This could easily be confused for 2006.

It feels like there’s a decent chance there could never be a lead of more than 10 for either team, meaning I’m going to have a panic attack somewhere around Game 3.

11 turnovers for the Spurs through the first half. Too many guys trying to force the issue and make a spectacular play, they seem jittery.

Late Spurs run to end the half, thanks to some bad offensive sets from Dallas, is ended with another ridiculous Dirk fadeaway plus a free throw. Mavs steal the momentum before halftime and go into the break with a 50-45 lead. Ginobli leads the Spurs with 15 points while Dirk leads Dallas with 19.

Pretty much what you would expect in the first half from these two rivals; you could never learn too much, but at the moment Dallas’ supporting cast, especially Butler and Heywood, look a bit stronger than San Antonio’s. As always, this will be subject to change. Stay tuned.