SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs did what they set out to do against the Dallas Mavericks in their final game of the regular season. Pick up a win.
They also sent Dirk Nowitzki into retirement with a nice video tribute, a rousing intro and a standing ovation to show the respect he earned to close out his career.
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📹ICYMI: Spurs honor Dirk Nowitzki with a video tribute and the #Mavs legend tears up after getting a standing ovation from the fans at ATT Center...#KSATsports #KSATnews #NBA #ThankYouDirk pic.twitter.com/siqany6nxY
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) April 11, 2019
He showed a lot of emotion when his name was announced for the last time. But in the end the Spurs finished the regular season off in style with a 105-94 win and now it's playoff time.
Gregg Popovich reaction after Dirk Nowitzki ends 21 year career tonight...’everybody got to witness history, watching him play his last game, and he played a fine game which was great’ #KSATsports #KSATnews #NBA #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/LrQKNYe6s6
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) April 11, 2019
"I had a really good time, I enjoyed myself this year but I think I am more excited for the playoffs right now than anytime of the year. I think we all are because I think we can do some big things," said Bryn Forbes who had 10 points.
The season ended on a high note but there were some sour moments. San Antonio opened things up late in first quarter, outscoring the Mavs 30-16.
They built the lead to 21 points in the in the second and lead 57-37 at the half.
The Mavs managed to make a comeback outscoring the Spurs in the third and then cutting the 22 point lead to single digits in the fourth.
"We just never panicked. We Just kind of stuck to the game plan," said Derrick White who put the Spurs back in control.
White hit a 3-pointer followed by a DeMar DeRozan shot and a White bucket to put the Spurs back up 12 and held on for the win.
White finished the night with 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting including two out of two from 3-point range.
LaMarcus Aldridge lead the way for the Spurs with 34 points and 16 rebounds.
With the win the Spurs finish the regular season with a 48-34 record. Now it is all about the post season and being ready.
"When the lights come on, this is when the fun part of the season gets started, gets hot outside, put shorts on you know everybody's watching," said DeRozan. "We ended off strong. Our confidence is high."
One of the reasons they have a lot of confidence heading into the post season, they won their last three in row.
"I think we are all happy with how we finished. I think we fought and you know there have been a lot of tough times this year but to finish strong was the biggest part and to keep moving forward with that, that same pace," Forbes said.
The Spurs will hit the road and play at Denver for the first two of the best-of-seven first round series.
"Do what we are supposed to do, if we lock down on our game plan and the way we play I think we can beat anybody personally," Forbes said.