The Mavericks still are a long way from remotely thinking becoming the first team in NBA history to rally from a 3-0 playoff series deficit.
But now they have closed the gap to 3-1.
‘I’ve coached a team that’s come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series, so I know it can be done,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle matter-of-factly pointed out Monday.
Indeed, he did. In 2002-2003, Carlisle’s last season at Detroit, the Pistons finished the regular season with a 50-32 record _ same as Dallas’ record this season.
That Pistons team faced Orlando in the first round of the playoffs, splitting the opening two games in Detroit.