Game 7 To Separate Spurs, Mavs
Six games haven’t separated the Mavericks and Spurs. Sunday’s Game 7 will.
The San Antonio Spurs host the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon in a win or go home Game 7.
Tip-off at AT&T Center in San Antonio is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
In what has been a see-saw battle from the off, it seems fitting that this first round battle of Texas has been whittled down to a decisive Game 7, and one that could prove to be a playoff game for the ages.
Having trailed Dallas 2-1, San Antonio reeled off a pair of wins to take a 3-2 advantage into Friday’s Game 6, but a spirited performance from Monta Ellis helped force a definitive game in San Antonio.
Ellis scored 29 points to go alongside 22 from veteran forward Dirk Nowitzki, while four other Mavericks scored in double digits, including DeJuan Blair, playing against his former club.
San Antonio got double-digit outings from each of its starters, paced by Tony Parker’s 22, in a high-scoring game at American Airlines Center, but it was Dallas that emerged with a narrow 113-111 victory in the contest.
Now the two sides will lock horns once more to determine which team rolls on, just as they did in 2006. Back then it was the Mavericks that pulled out the victory in the clincher, moving on to eventually earn a first NBA title. Will history repeat itself on Sunday?
History favors a Dallas success on Sunday, or at least recent history. Since that series in 2006, the Mavericks have eliminated San Antonio both times the two have met (2009, 2010). But it would be hard to argue that those Mavericks sides played as big an underdog role as the 2014 installment of the team.
The Spurs have had some success when it comes to Game 7 though, most notably 2005’s championship-clinching win over the Detroit Pistons. But with a 4-4 record in their previous forays into Game 7, this one is almost the definition of a toss-up for the Spurs.
The Mavericks however have thrived when it comes to Game 7. With a 5-1 record in decisive games, including a 4-0 record in the Nowitzki era, the Mavericks have to be confident heading into this one.
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs odds for 05/04/2014
San Antonio (-275) opened as the favorite over Dallas (+230) on the moneyline for Game 7.
The Mavericks have won just one of their last 10 visits to the Alamo City, but that came in a 113-92 victory in Game 2 of this series. One more and they’ll complete what would have to be considered a huge upset.
The spread opened at 6.5 and has remained steady since.
In one of the most impressive feats in recent basketball betting history, and to the delight of fans across the Metroplex, Dallas has covered the spread in every game this series. If they can cover once more, the Mavericks will be heading for the Western Conference semifinals and a showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers.
San Antonio will be looking to spoil that particular party though. The Spurs covered the spread in three of the four regular season meetings this season.
The total opened at 199.5 and has dropped as low as 197.5 with some sportsbooks.
The over paid out in Games 5 and 6, as well as Games 2 and 3, making it the smart bet. Need more persuasion? The total went over in three of four regular season meetings too.
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