Wednesday night's Dallas Mavericks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs wasn't exactly reason to plan a parade. But definitely reason to throw a party.
After the game, players such as Shawn Marion and Caron Butler attended Chris Arnold's party at Deux Lounge in Mockingbird Station. The atmosphere was as optimistic as it was festive.
Give the Mavs credit.
After the trade that brought them Butler and Brendan Haywood they went 23-7. They won 55 games, pushing their streak of 50-plus wins and playoff appearances to 10 straight years. They beat the Spurs, securing the No. 2 seed in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs. They have home-court advantage in the first two rounds. They are, like it or not, a legitimate threat to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Or, have they done anything at all?
I know in this town it's all about the post-season, but I'm as excited about the Mavs as I've been since Avery Johnson drove them to 67 wins back in 2007.
They're playing the Spurs in the first round, starting Sunday night at 7 in American Airlines Center. Should be another fierce series between teams that have faced off in the playoffs three of the last five seasons.
The Spurs, with a healthy Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, don't fear the Mavs. But the Mavs, with a 3-1 season edge and victories in the last two playoff matcups, don't fear the Spurs.
Game. On.
Game 1 -- Sun. April 18, San Antonio at Dallas, 7 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 2 -- Wed. April 21, San Antonio at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 3 -- Fri. April 23, Dallas at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. (TXA21/ESPN)
Game 4 -- Sun. April 25, Dallas at San Antonio, 6 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 5 * -- Tue. April 27, San Antonio at Dallas, TBD (TXA21/TBD)
Game 6 * -- Thu. April 29, Dallas at San Antonio, TBD (TXA21/TBD)
Game 7 * -- Sat. May 1, San Antonio at Dallas, TBD (TXA21/TNT)
PREDICTION: Mavs in 7.
