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At ripe old age of 37, burden remains same for Dirk Nowitzki

SAN ANTONIO – Gregg Popovich has no problem with awkward silence. He does not offer empty praise. So the legendary San Antonio Spurs coach’s pregame response to a question about how Dirk Nowitzki’s game has changed over the years can’t be classified as just kind coachspeak.

“Not much. He looks the same to me,” Popovich said. “He’s a remarkable player, competitor. Fierce competitor, class act, special guy.”

Just in case you didn’t believe him, the proof was in Pop’s game plan Wednesday night. It was essentially to dare anyone not named Dirk to shoot.

It worked, allowing the league’s stingiest defensive team to pull out an 88-83 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, who put up a valiant effort in their third game in four nights but finished the tough road trip without a win.