The Dallas Mavericks know they are lucky to have walked away with a victory in Game three of the Western Conference Playoffs. Forward/Center Dirk Nowitzki for one is still calling the Spurs the “heavy favorite.” Now whether that is gamesmanship or reality for Dirk, it is apparent that the Mavericks seem to want this a little more than the scorned Spurs.
“We definitely don’t want to get comfortable now,” Nowitzki said. “Yeah, it was a big game, but if we lose tomorrow, we’re tied going to their place with two home games for them. We want to keep the same mentality we’ve had this whole time. Play hard.”
Head Coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t think his team are taking the Mavericks lightly after them in regular season, but at the same time, would like to see more from his veteran squad.
“I don’t think the guys are disrespecting Dallas because we beat them in the season four times. They know it’s the playoffs. But at the same time, I’d like to see a little bit more nastiness, a little bit more physicality, a little bit more fire from people.”