The Spurs did a good job of slowing Nowitzki in the first round last year, usually by swarming him with two and sometimes three defenders. They went with only one most of this game and paid the price.
Among his highlights were a 7-0 stretch midway through the third, which actually ended up putting Dallas ahead for good. He scored only four points in the fourth quarter, but his presence was huge as the Mavericks often ran their offense through him.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker all looked in prime playoff form -- but didn't get much help.
Duncan had 27 points and eight rebounds, Ginobili scored 26 and Parker had 18 points and four assists. George Hill started at point guard, but was scoreless with two turnovers in 18 minutes.
Things were intense from the opening tip-off, which Ginobili anticipated being popped to Kidd and intercepted, banging into Kidd as he landed. Then Ginobili spun to the rim, flicking it in over Kidd and a late-arriving Shawn Marion.
San Antonio got a feel for the new-look Mavericks a few minutes later, with Marion and Butler playing hot potato on a fast break, the ball never hitting the ground until after Butler rammed it in.
Both teams played rugged enough defense that there were few easy baskets. But the Mavs led 23-18 after one quarter, aided by nine fast-break points and four second-chance points while the Spurs had zip in both categories.
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