Mavericks vs. Spurs

Lore & Background

The Mavericks–Spurs rivalry is relatively new, emerging in the 2000s and early 2010s, but very fierce. It features two teams with Dallas roots—the Spurs began their life in the ABA as the Dallas Chaparrals and did not move to San Antonio until 1973. On October 11, 1980, the Mavs made their NBA debut by defeating the Spurs 103–92. The teams have met numerous times in the playoffs, with the Spurs defeating the Mavericks in 2001, 2003, 2010, and 2014, while the Mavericks defeated the Spurs in 2006 and 2009.

The Spurs have won five championships and six conference titles, while the Mavericks have won one championship and three conference titles. The Spurs have won 15 division titles, while the Mavericks have won 3. Both the Spurs and the Mavericks have 3 60-win seasons, with the Mavericks having 3 60-win seasons during the 2000s while the Spurs have 2 60-win seasons during the 2000s and 1 60-win season during the 2010s. The rivalry took on a new meaning in 2005 when, near the end of the regular season, Don Nelson would resign as head coach of the Mavericks, apparently satisfied with the state of the team, and hand the coaching reins to former Spur Avery Johnson, the point guard of the 1999 NBA champion Spurs team who hit the game-winning shot against the New York Knicks.

Since Johnson was coached under Spurs' Head Coach Gregg Popovich, he would be familiar with most, if not all, of Popovich's coaching style and philosophy. During the 2005 offseason, Michael Finley, who was waived by the Mavericks under the amnesty clause, joined the Spurs in search for the elusive title. During the 2006 playoffs, the two rivals met again. San Antonio won the first game at home 87–85.

The Mavericks got revenge the next game, winning 113–91 and evening the series up at 1–1. The Mavericks then won a dramatic Game 3 by a single point, 104–103. Though Manu Ginóbili could have made a game-winning basket with five seconds on the clock, he committed an error, allowing the ball to bounce away from him with one second remaining. Dallas won a tightly contested Game 4 123–118 in overtime.

The Spurs proceeded to avoid elimination by taking Game 5. In the final seconds of the game, Jason Terry was seen punching former teammate Michael Finley under the belt, leading to his suspension for Game 6. He was sorely missed as the Spurs won, taking the series back home for a Game 7.

Reader's Guide

The Mavericks have won one NBA championship (2011). The Spurs have won five championships. The Mavericks' only title came in 2011 under head coach Rick Carlisle, not Avery Johnson. Johnson coached the Mavericks from 2005 until he was fired in 2008, but did not lead them to a championship.

Did You Know?

• The Mavericks defeated the Spurs in the 2006 playoffs in a seven-game series that included a Game 7 overtime win by Dallas.
• In 2007, Tim Duncan was ejected for laughing on the bench, leading to referee Joey Crawford's season-ending suspension.
• The Mavericks won their only NBA championship in 2011, defeating the Miami Heat.