It could very well have been a preview of this season's Western Conference finals. But for San Antonio, a 95-92 loss to Dallas on Friday night was more a repeat of last season's West semifinals, when the Spurs lost to the Mavericks at home in overtime in Game 7.

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki, of Germany, (41) reacts after making a free thrown during the final moments of the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Friday, Nov. 24, 2006. Dallas won 95-92; Nowitzki scored 31 points. [AP]

"There was a reminder from (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) about Game 7 and that situation," said Tim Duncan, who scored 29 points. "We put ourselves in a hole these last couple games and we have to find a way to get away from that."

Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Mavericks to their eighth straight victory. Jason Terry had 14 points and 10 assists, Josh Howard added 12 points in his return to the lineup, and Erick Dampier contributed 11.

It was the second matchup of the season between the West powers. The Spurs beat the Mavs 97-91 in Dallas in the teams' season opener in November.

"It was definitely a big game," Nowitzki said. "They beat us in our home opener and we didn't want to go down 0-2 against them."

It was the Spurs' third loss of the season. All three have been at home.

"They did a great job for 48 minutes," Popovich said. "We did a great job for a half."

Tony Parker had 16 points and Fabricio Oberto, who Popovich called the Spurs' "most consistent player," had 14. Manu Ginobili did not play in the fourth quarter, and the Spurs said that he had a lower back contusion.

Duncan made three free throws with 12 seconds left to bring the Spurs within one, but two from the line by Nowitzki and last-second misses by Robert Horry and Michael Finley allowed Dallas to pull out the victory.

Finley said he thought he "got pushed a bit" on his final shot, but no foul was called.

"It's a tough situation for a referee," Finley said, adding, "The game didn't come down to that last shot. There are things we could have done earlier to take ourselves out of that situation."

Both teams went to their mainstays in the fourth, with Duncan scoring eight straight points for the Spurs and Parker following with six. Duncan had 11 in the period.

"Every time we see each other it has a playoff atmosphere," said the Mavs' Jerry Stackhouse.

1

2