0-2 going to Dallas

93 - 81 final score.  Advantage Dallas.  Wow.

Mark Cuban must think he's  finally caught a break, or  (for you conspiracy theorist) the "boys club" (aka David Stern and the other NBA owners, who don't like him, have finally let him sit at the big table and play with everyone else.
Give Rick Carlyle a hand for the plan of attack he and his staff prepared to go against the Lakers. The game remained close throughout the first half. Dallas leading at halftime 51-49. Dallas' zone defense seemed to confuse and stymie the Lakers' offense, which gave way to poor shot selection (again), which led to an ugly 13 point 3rd quarter. That said, the Lakers still only trailed by 6 points to begin the 4th quarter. Then,
the 4th quarter became the 'J.J. Barea show'. In 17 minutes of play, Barea looked like the second coming
of either Chris Paul or Steve Nash.  Barea shredded the Lakers' defense, working off of the high "pick and roll'.  Either scoring on layups, or penetrating the lane, and dishing the ball to open shooters. Barea finished with 12 pts, 4 assist, while only committing 2 turnovers.
Whenever the Lakers tried to make a push, the Mavericks were able meet the challenge and stave off the attack.
The body of  this loss, lays at feet of the bench, again (Mavericks outscore the Lakers' bench 30-12), As well,  Lamar's(again) and Pau Gasol's (again).  Both have not played good consistent basketball during the playoffs. The Lakers don't win without them.  Also, its time for that 'MIA' known as Steve Blake to show up, and start earning his paycheck.  "Tonight he looked confused, and very apprehensive, like he was totally lacking confidence in his shot, and his ability to play at all.

Down 0-2, going to Dallas. The questions are already casting a pall over the city.  'Is this the end of the run?'
"Is the party over?' "Are the Lakers too old?  Are they too slow?
Well I'm not ready to concede. A close look at both games reveals that the Lakers could just as easily be
1-1,  2-0, given more consistent, precise play, that's expected of a 2 time defending  Champion.
They just have to run the offense through the post, pound the boards, limit the turnovers and questionable shot selection, defend the outside shooters better, and make their free throws.  That's all!!  They can beat the Mavericks. They now, just have to do it starting in Dallas.  One game at a time.

Deja vu - An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
I'm sure Mark Cuban will be praying that history doesn't repeat itself. Seeing that the Mavericks are 1 of only 3  NBA teams to come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.

Down 0-2, going to Dallas.

Only three NBA teams have come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.

1971- Lakers defeat San Francisco Warriors
1994- Houston defeats the Phoenix Suns
2005-Dallas defeats the Houston Rockets

If the Lakers win game 3 Friday, Mark Cuban will start wondering whether  the first 2 games were just a dream or is it "Deja vu all over again'.
The situation is not terminal, but its not good.