Spurs-Mavericks: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan Locked and Loaded

The Western Conference first-round matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs might be the most even "two vs. seven" pairing in NBA history.

Both teams have been a part of the playoff scene since the turn of the century and usually find themselves meeting each other in the Conference Semifinals and Finals. With the two teams separated by a mere five wins, it makes it even harder to believe that these two are going head-to-head in the opening round.

The Spurs are just lucky to be in the playoffs because of all the injuries they had to deal with.

Meanwhile, ever since the blockbuster trade that Dallas’ owner Mark Cuban orchestrated, Dallas has looked like a true contender for the L.A. Lakers’ Western Conference Championship.

The Spurs didn’t make any big trade moves like the Mavericks; however, they did get healthy at the right time.

Their most recent piece to come back off the bench and complete the Spurs’ playoff puzzle is Tony Parker. Parker missed 16 games after suffering a broken hand. He did return in time to play in San Antonio’s final six games and has traded places with teammate Manu Ginobili.

In recent years, Ginobili has been San Antonio’s sixth man; this time around it is Parker’s turn. Parker has responded like the superstar he is. In fact, if Dirk Nowitzki had not shot as close to perfection as he did in Game One, the Spurs would probably be up 3-0.

It was like old times in Game One for San Antonio. The Spurs’ “Big Three” was in rare form. Parker finished with 18 points, Ginobili had 26 points, and Tim Duncan finished with a team-high 27 points and eight rebounds.

Nowitzki’s 36 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line, along with Caron Butler’s 22 points, was enough to lead Dallas over the Spurs.

In Game Two, Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker continued to carry the load for San Antonio, while getting help from the big free agent they brought in last offseason, Richard Jefferson. Jefferson scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half after getting only four points in Game One.

Duncan also scored 17 points in a half. His 17 came in the second half, giving him 25 points for the game and 17 rebounds.

Nowitzki was not perfect in Game Two. He missed his first six shot attempts and finished just 9-of-24.

In last night's Game Three, Jefferson went in reverse, scoring only six points. No worries for the Spurs; they prove just how much deeper their bench is than the Mavericks. Enter George Hill to pick up the slack. With Parker still coming off of the bench for head coach Gregg Popovich, Hill is still getting big minutes and is showing us what he has been learning from Parker. He finished with 17 points and five rebounds.

Parker and Ginobili added to the backcourt scoring and combined for 38 points. Parker would finish with 23 points and Manu had 15 points. Ginobili scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter after receiving a Nowitzki-elbow that was diagnosed as a broken nose following the game.

The stories for these two teams have changed dramatically at this point in the season. San Antonio was doing everything they could to make it to the playoffs, and Dallas looked like they had all the pieces needed to help Dirk and Mark Cuban get back to the championship.

Now, San Antonio has made the playoffs, is healthy and rejuvenated in the NBA's second season, and is eye-balling a championship run. The Mavericks and Nowitzki still seem to be figuring out how to win in the playoffs, and time is running out.