Daily NBA Fix 4-29-14: End Of An Era In Charlotte

By Phil Watson | Apr 29, 2014

Apr 28, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker (15) talks with an official during the first half against the Miami Heat in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 7

Apr 28, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (0) has his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) in the second half in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Spurs beat the Mavs 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs 93, DALLAS MAVERICKS 89
Game 4, Western Conference First Round
It’s now a best-of-3 series as the Spurs were terrific in the middle of the game, even if they started it awfully and closed it rather shakily.

San Antonio opened the game 1-for-11 from the floor and trailed 12-2 less than six minutes into the game before rallying to take a 50-46 halftime lead.

The Mavericks bounced back and made it very interesting down the stretch before Boris Diaw nailed a dagger 3 with 32 seconds left that put the Spurs up for good.

Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 23 points off the bench and DIaw came off the pine to add 17. Tim Duncan finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Tiago Splitter logged 10 points and 12 boards and Kawhi Leonard also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Monta Ellis had 20 points for Dallas, but was 6-for-20 from the floor. Dirk Nowitzki had an inefficient 19 points (7-for-19 shooting) and DeJuan Blair came off the bench for 12 points and 11 rebounds. Samuel Dalembert had 15 rebounds.

Game 5 is Wednesday in San Antonio.