Are These Your Father's Dallas Mavericks?

Known for choking in the playoffs and giving away a 2-0 lead in the Finals to the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks are in a familiar, yet unfriendly, spot against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nearly two months ago I asked the following two questions:

Are these the same Lakers we have come to know?
Are these the same Mavs we have seen fold?

This late in the season, this far into the playoffs....and still we don't know.
But, it sure looks like the answer to both questions will be a resounding "NO".

Mavs have earned the two wins in L.A. with clutch offense and solid defense.
Don't listen to the media reports that blame the losses only on how poorly L.A. is playing.
The wins in L.A. were more about how well Dallas played than they were about how bad L.A. looked.

Still, everyone not a Dallas Maverick fan should hope for a Game 3 win by L.A.

Why?
A game 3 win by L.A. and game 4 becomes must-see TV for the basketball universe.
And, if L.A. goes into game 4 only down 2-1, both of my questions above will be answered in those 48-minutes...Now that's excitement!

Artest don't know karate...but he does know karayzee!

BC Mafia -- In full effect, FOO!