Why Dirk Nowitzki Holds Key to Dallas Mavericks Upsetting San Antonio Spurs

The Dallas Mavericks haven't been quite as fortunate as their No. 8 seed cousins from the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks, who have exploited an unprecedented meltdown from the Indiana Pacers to seize a 3-2 series lead. Dallas' first-round opponent, the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs, is not the kind of team that beats itself; it makes you earn it. Well, the No. 8 seed Mavericks have earned everything they've been given in a wild first-round series that has featured buzzer-beaters, ejections...