Butler serves up a huge win for Mavs

By Geoff Case






Caron Butler hadn’t fully earned his nickname “Tough Juice” in Dallas until he dropped a career playoff-best 35 points and had 11 rebounds last night. In a herculean display of aggression, Butler relentlessly drove to the rim and muscled his way to secure rebounds. The entire team followed suit outplaying the Spurs from the opening tip but still only lead by seven at the half. “He had a great rhythm going,” Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle said. “I was really thrilled to see him have a big game like that. … Caron’s always aggressive. 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.” Dallas would open the third quarter with a 10-0 run that included a lay-up by Butler and a pair of free throws and the Spurs would soon call it quits. Opting to rest their starters and prepare for Game 6 in San Antonio on Thursday night in the hostile AT&T Center. “We had a wonderful opportunity tonight,” Spurs Coach Greg Popovich said. “We gave it away.”The Spurs lead the series 3-2, and will try and land their best punch in San Antonio on Thursday. The veteran squad knows how hard it is to close out a series on the road and doesn’t want to make a return trip to Dallas. Only eight teams in NBA history have ever blown a 3-1 lead so the odds are still in their favor.

Fellow new-comer Brendan Haywood was inserted into the starting line-up over Erick Dampier and provided a strong inside presence at both ends. “It was a decision to change the dynamics a little bit,” Rick Carlisle said of the lineup change. “It was a bit of a gut feel. I just felt the time was right to do it. Damp was great about it.” Haywood had eight points and eight rebounds on only three shots. The aggressive nature of his play helped him to get to the free throw line and got several key players in foul trouble. However, he made only 6-of-12 free throws. It seemed like the Mavs finally played an entire game at the heighten energy level required to win tough playoff games. The team has been known to coast at times during the season especially after securing a big lead. Now that the Mavericks face elimination there appears to be no lack of intensity. “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.”

The biggest milestone that was passed on Tuesday night was the Mavericks finally won a game without having to rely on Dirk Nowitzki to carry them over the finish line. The entire team played with a sense of desperation that transferred into securing rebounds and loose balls that had been going San Antonio’s way. The Mavericks will need to keep up the intensity and circle the wagons in San Antonio if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Note: The Mavs’ Jason Terry has finished second to Hawks guard Jamal Crawford for NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors.