The Spurs are the first team since the NBA/ABA merger without a player averaging 30 minutes a game. They and the Miami Heat are the only two teams that have proven they can turn it up when they need to.

So they have the very rare combo of veteran proven legs that are also fresh. Dallas lack of interior defense will be exploited. With Nowitzki and in-state team Spurs will not overlook Dallas, the only real worry.

In the four meetings this season the Spurs scored at least 109 points, averaged 112 and won by margins of nine, 12, six and nine points in a game played in American Airlines Center eight days ago. San Antonio can win an up-tempo game or a half-court game. In the four meetings this season the Spurs out-rebounded Dallas each time, by an average of 48-39