The Dallas Mavericks had one of the worst NBA Playoffs collapses on Saturday when the team faltered in the fourth quarter as Brandon Roy led the Portland Trail Blazers back from what was at one point a 23-point deficit into an 84-82 victory to even the series at two apiece heading into tonight’s Game 5 in Dallas.
The Mavs will need to be able to forget that game, and the fact that the team has lost in the first round of the playoffs four of the past five seasons, as they look to pull ahead in the series and play more their style to keep themselves in the playoffs.
For what it’s worth, both Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki told NBA.com’s Sekou Smith that they aren’t worried about last game’s collapse.
“I’ve lost 20-point leads before,” Kidd said. “It happens. I’ve been in this position before.”
Nowitzki takes a slightly different approach, leaning on the Dallas fans to lead the team to a Game 5 victory.
“We just have to stay positive,” Nowitzki said. “Two out of three we’re at home, where our crowd has really carried us, especially in the fourth quarters in the two wins that we got. This is going to sting, this is going to hurt. But we worked hard all through the regular season to get those two at home.”
Regardless of what the player’s think, it’s imperative that Dallas limits Roy on Monday night if they plan to keep the series in their favor.