Dallas Mavericks Set NBA Playoff Record for Largest Road Victory by No. 8 Seed

With Wednesday's 113-92 victory in Game 2 of their first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks set an NBA playoff record for largest margin of victory (21) in a road game by a No. 8 seed over a No. 1 seed, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The current 16-team playoff format that comprises eight teams from each conference was introduced in the 1984 postseason.

This week's rout came after Dallas blew a 10-point lead by missing 12 consecutive shots during the final 7:45 of Sunday's Game 1.

While the Mavericks ultimately tied the series with Wednesday's convincing win, they hardly got off to a runaway start. Star forward Dirk Nowitzki missed his first six shots, limiting Dallas to just a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, over the second and third quarters, the Western Conference's bottom seed outscored San Antonio 64-52, taking a 13-point advantage into the final interval.

In the fourth, the Spurs' starting unit could not muster a comeback, leading coach Gregg Popovich to withdraw Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard and super sixth man Manu Ginobili by the 5:52 mark.

At the final horn, the Mavericks' 21-point triumph only rivaled their May 9, 2006 22-point victory for the largest margin of victory in a road playoff game versus the Spurs during the Popovich era, according to NBA Stats.

Offseason signing Monta Ellis led Dallas with 21 points, forward Shawn Marion went for 20 and reserve Devin Harris tallied 18.

Nowitzki rallied to make seven of his 19 field-goal attempts, finishing with 16 points.

To their credit, the Mavericks capitalized on 22 San Antonio turnovers, an uncharacteristic amount compounded by 11 missed free-throws.

Nonetheless, Dallas returns home for Saturday's Game 3 coming off a record-setting performance for a No. 8 seed.