Final Score: Spurs 102, Mavericks 88

The San Antonio Spurs proved on Wednesday night why they are still a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

The 7-seed in the West used a balanced offensive attack and high shooting percentage to take down the Mavericks in Game 2.

Richard Jefferson, who has struggled mightily all season long to become a difference maker for San Antonio, proved to be last night's X-factor. Jefferson had 19 points and 7 rebounds in an efficient offensive performance. The former Nets and Bucks star was acquired by San Antonio last summer to be the missing piece that could carry the Spurs to another championship this season. Jefferson has been a major disappointment as a signing this season, but he stepped up huge in the second game of this first round series.

"My teammates were looking for me, coming off the pick-and-roll and throwing it back to me," Jefferson said. "That's pretty much my game. After I struggled the last game, I think there was a concerted effort to get me involved."

Jefferson was the difference maker, but his veteran teammates paved the way to victory. Tim Duncan scored 25 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a classic effort from the Big Fundamental. Manu Ginobili had 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the game.

George Hill started at point guard and scored 7 points, but Tony Parker played a huge role off the bench to score 16 with 4 rebounds and 8 assists.

The Mavericks had a much more difficult time scoring in Game 2 than they did in Game 1. Dirk Nowitzki shot just 9 for 24 in last night's loss, and as a team the Mavs shot an uncharacteristically low 36%. Compare that to San Antonio's 48% shooting, and there's your ball game.

Jason Terry had 27 points off the bench on 9 for 19 shooting. Dirk's poor shooting night still resulted in 24 points, but he should have had more. The only other Dallas player in double figures was Caron Butler with 17. Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion combined to shoot 3 for 14 for just 11 points.

It was a suffocating defensive effort from the Spurs, who are 4-time NBA Champions in the last 10 years and know how to get it done in the postseason. San Antonio also ran a more efficient offense, including hitting 8 of 15 shots from downtown for a 53% rate. Neither team turned the ball over more than 8 times, making it imperative to convert scoring chances in the half-court.

This series now becomes a real interesting one. Games 3 and 4 will be played in San Antonio, giving the Spurs an advantage in this 1-1 series. But Dallas can win on the road as well as anyone, and they won't have to travel very far in this one. It was expected that either team could win a road game in the series. These in-state rivals will play hard in every game and make for a long, competitive series. Look for Dallas to be able to take Game 3 or 4 on the road.

The Spurs are hoping to defend home court and continue to get a big contribution from Richard Jefferson. But the team as a whole has not been very consistent throughout the year, and a letdown at home is certainly possible against the high-powered Mavs.

This series can now go either way and will be a fun one to watch. Game 3 will be played in San Antonio on Saturday.