Dallas Mavericks: Throwback 2014 Playoff Moment

Since the Dallas Mavericks are not be in the NBA playoffs this season, it may be nice to look back towards the 2014 postseason and imagine what could have been.

It has been three years since the Dallas Mavericks made the postseason, but for Mavs fans, history is never forgotten. The NBA playoffs are in the early stages of the tournament and while it may be just the first round of games, every match can be so crucial.

The Dallas Mavericks understand the importance of the first round and how every game can affect the outcome of a series. Look back to the 2014 playoffs when the Mavericks sneaked into the big stage and were so close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in history.

At the time, the team was paired up against the number one seed San Antonio Spurs. As an eight seed, the Dallas Mavericks gave the Spurs a run for their money as the series went down to a seven game series.

Game 1

In game one that series, the Mavs kept pace with the Spurs, as the teams went into halftime separated by just a point. With seven minutes left in the game, Dallas went up by 10. Soon after, they went on to miss their next 12 shots.

The 12 missed attempts would prove to be the difference as the Mavericks would lose the game 90-85.

Game 2

Game 2 would go on to be another story as the Mavs used a second half surge to pull off a 113-92 victory. The key factor in the “W” was the 24 turnovers Dallas forced San Antonio into and the defensive mindset they had throughout.

Game 3

The third game of the series will forever go down as one of the top playoff moments in history. In a highly contested back and forth game, the last minute of the contest would be the biggest.

With 24 seconds left in the game, former Mav, Monta Ellis, made a driving lay up to tie up the game at 106. Spurs Manu Ginobli would soon counter with a bank shot of his own, giving his team a 108-106 lead.

The game all but over now, was placed in future hall of famer Vince Carter’s hands. At 1.7 seconds left, Carter performed one of the greatest step backs of all time. His pump-fake on Ginobli gave him enough space in the corner to make a three point shot that would propel Dallas to a 109-108 victory.

Game 4

The excitement of game 3 would be stomped in four as the Spurs came back to even the series at two a piece. Dallas fell behind by twenty points and while they performed an amazing comeback, it would too little too late as they would go on to lose 93-89.

One of the biggest moments of the series came after game four, when former Mavs forward DeJuan Blair was suspended for game five because of a kick to the head he performed.

Game 5

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Blair’s impact would be felt on the offensive end as the Mavericks would be out rebounded on the offensive side 12-9. The lack of their big men proved costly for Dallas as they fell in game five 109-103.

Game 6

With their backs against the wall, Dallas bounced back in game six and prevailed to a 113-111 victory. The impact Monta Ellis brought would be all the Mavs would need as the former guard went red hot in the final minutes of the game.

Game 7

Game seven was the one match that would turn out to be completely one sided. From the start, the Spurs controlled every aspect of the court. They would never look back as they cruised to a 119-96 victory.

While the Mavericks did go on to lose the series, the what could have been still plays back in the memory of every Dallas fan.

What if Dallas never missed a majority of their shots in the fourth quarter of game one? What if the Mavs completed their comeback in game 4? Imagine the difference it would have made if Blair played in game five of the series.

Next: Dallas Mavericks: Three Options on Draft Day

While the 2014 Spurs series could have swung in a different direction, all the Dallas Mavericks can do now is focus on making the playoffs next season.

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Dallas Mavericks: Throwback Playoff Moment from 2014

By Lorenzo Almanza | Apr 23, 2018