Running Diary Mavericks v Blazers 2nd half 4-28

3^rd Quarter

12:00 52-43 D: Dallas made a good run to end the first half and look to keep that going in the second.

9:00 58-45 D: Dirk showing some handles getting the ball Marion for a tough tear drop.

7:25 59-49 D: Second half has been pretty boring so far, lots of free throws and missed jumpers. It is a little about the defense but really it’s more about bad offense right now.

4:50 63-52 D: For a second there it looked like Portland was going to make a run but back-to-back buckets for the Mavs puts that to rest for now.

3:47 68-52 D: Kidd hits an absolute Rainbow of a shot and then Marion comes down and hits a shot, now Dallas is on a 8-0 run.

1:51 71-56 D: Dallas hits just a bonkers shot.

0:00 75-62 D: The teams trade buckets to end the quarter, eerily similar situation to when Dallas blew game 4.  If they hang on here it will be quite the accomplishment to bounce back from that loss.

4^th Quarter

10:16 77-69 D: Portland leading a charge here to start the 4^th quarter.

8:39 81-75 D: Portland still hanging around but Dirk is going crazy right now, doing his best Kevin Durant at this stage.

7:26 86-79 D: After how boring this game started it has gotten pretty entertaining in the fourth quarter. The offense for both teams has picked up without a significant drop defensively.

5:51 86-83 D: Portland making a big-time run late. They are back within 4 after trailing by as much as 17. Dallas has not scored for almost 2 minutes.

5:00 89-85 D: Kidd hits a big bucket after a lay-up for Wallace off a Dirk TO.  Dallas struggles when Dirk is doubled late in the shot clock.

4:04 91-85 D: Terry hits a step back jumper.  The shooting ability of these guys is just incredible to me.  I mean these aren’t “good” shots but it is nearly impossible to get good shots in the NBA because the defenses are so good.

3:18 91-85 D: Yet another blown charge/block call by an NBA official.  That really does need to be a point of emphasis in the off-season.

2:34 91-87 D: 2 missed Free Throws but Dirk has 5 fouls. He is Dallas’ crunch time offense if he goes out early I have no doubt Portland would come back.

1:15 95-89 D: The play-by-play guy just stopped talking for most of that possession.  Dallas turns the ball over again with 46.5 left

:46.5 95-89 D: I’m going to channel my inner Jon McGloklin here. OK, what the Trailblazers need to do here is score, get a stop and score again. I hope that helps.

:32.3 95-89 D: Wallace misses a 3 and Dallas gets the ball out of bounds and the foul fest ensues.

:9.8 101-96 D: I hate foul fest endings so much. 

0:00 103-96 D: Dallas wins the series in 6 games. Not many had this outcome picked, but I did.  I did not think they’d win this game though; it really was a good win for them on a couple levels.  It is disappointing to see Portland head home however, especially with a team like the Hawks still playing.  (Quick note before I forget TNT played a closing time song that is not “Closing Time” by Semisonic, that is weak.)  I really enjoyed this series and I look forward to the first Dirk v Kobe playoff match-up.  Portland will be good for a few years and I fully expect them to be back and ready to rock in the playoffs next year.  This is setting up to be a weird Western Semis. Dallas and LA are regulars but haven’t played each other and if Memphis wins they’ll play OKC renewing the old Vancouver/Seattle rivalry.  The east is more par for the course but the Boston/Miami series should be awesome.  I’ll do a full preview of round 2 once all match-ups are officially set.

TTFN