MyDallasMavs: Mavs Face the Spurs for the Third Time This Season Ending With Another Loss

Facing the Spurs for the third time this season and second without star player Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs couldn't pull through with the win, losing 101-89. This was the Mavs fourth straight loss (first time of the season to lose 4 consecutive games) and the Spurs fifth straight win.

It hasn't been looking too good for the Mavs, as they're missing three of there players due to injury: Dirk, Caron and Roddy. This was the 9th consecutive game Dirk as missed and the Mavs are 2-7 without him. Since Dirk's injury, the Mavs have failed to score 100 points in seven of nine games.

The Spurs led by as many as 20 in the first half, where Parker had 10 points and 4 assists in the first 8 minutes of game play.

The Mavericks trailed by 13 points towards the end of the third quarter, but missed 8 of their next 11 shots and made only one free throw the rest of the quarter. They were outscored 18-7, entering the fourth quarter trailing by 24.

Dallas was outscored every quarter except for the fourth as both teams started playing their reserves. The Mavericks bench wound up having 50 points together as Dominique Jones had his career high of 13 points in just 13 minutes of game play.

The Mavericks got very little from their starters as Shawn Marion was the only one with double digits as well as a double-double, scoring 14 points 10 rebounds. Barea: 13 points, JET: 9 points, Chandler: 8 points, Kidd: 7 points.

Jason Terry received a technical and continues to struggle, as he was just 3 for 14 from the field. Chandler also acquired four early fouls and finally his fifth in the third quarter.

Dejuan Blair and Tony Parker led the spurs with 18 points each. Blair also had 13 rebounds acquiring a double-double. Tim Duncan also had a double-double scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. As for the rest of their bench, Manu had 11 points and Jefferson had 7 points.

Dirk Nowitzki being out as been a nightmare come true for all Mavs fans. It is certainly hard to watch the Mavs without him, but during Friday practice he showed signs of coming back sooner than later. Dirk had a workout, shooting drills and a conditioning test and looked like his normal self during them all. Of course his return must be looked upon cautiously, but this is good news for Mavs fans.

The Mavs go on to play Memphis tonight, Detroit on Monday and the Lakers on Wednesday. Since these games are spread out, it gives Dirk more time to prepare his knee, so his return to one of those games remains hopeful.