Spurs Dominate I-35 Rivalry In My Return To the AT&T Center

After winning the opening tip,
the Spurs controlled much of the
game against the Mavs.

It had been 4 1/2 years since I had last stepped onto the premises of the AT&T Center before tonight's  I-35 rivalry game between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.  I returned with some friends, one a fellow Spurs fan and the other a Mavericks fan, for the in-state rivalry.  The Spurs entered the game as one of the league's best teams, but the Mavericks were certainly no pushover  (Remember the Mavs are the defending champs and always provide a tough match-up for the Spurs?).  There is no question this rivalry is one of the best in the NBA, so we had to be apart of tonight's action.

The atmosphere was great throughout the AT&T Center, as fans of the two rivals filled the arena, but the home crowd ultimately set the tone for the game.  The game began in the Spurs' favor as they took the early lead.  The game remained close throughout the first half, but the home team extended their lead to seven by halftime.  The Mavericks were down throughout the first half and had to change something to put themselves in position to win the ball game.  A 13-4 run to begin the second half gave the Mavericks their first lead since early in the first quarter, and quickly was extended to five with 3:50 to play in the quarter.  Although a twelve point turnaround occurred to start the second half, the Spurs responded with a 10-0 run to end the quarter and once again led by seven heading into the game's final quarter.

The Spurs' late third quarter run had re-energized the home crowd as the fourth quarter began.  The Spurs built on the crowd's energy and extended their lead to fifteen within the quarter's first two minutes.  San Antonio dominated the rest of the game and ultimately won 104-87 to even the season series with their rivals from the north.  The team began their 'three games in three nights' tour with a victory.  The team heads to New Orleans tomorrow night to play a divisional game, and returns to the AT&T Center on Sunday for an Eastern Conference match-up with the 76ers.  The next month will be crucial for the Spurs as they conclude the regular season and position themselves for a fifth championship in franchise history.