The Mavericks were somehow down by nine.
How had that happened?
"Is it because Blake has shut down Nowitzki? Not really. His shooting percentage isn't great, but he still went three for eight from the field, made both free throws, and scored eight points in the first quarter.
"That's not exactly bad."
Van Gundy looked completely puzzled.
Mike Breen was just as confused.
"Blake only scored thirteen points in the first quarter. That would be incredible for an ordinary player, but by Blake's standards, it's fairly routine.
"Blake has played somewhat better than Nowitzki, but the Mavericks are supposed to be the more complete team. More importantly, the Suns never seemed to go on any kind of scoring run during the quarter.
"If these teams are evenly matched, how did the lead suddenly reach nine points?
"It's strange.
"Very strange."
The two commentators were baffled, as were all the fans in the stands.
Still, the home crowd did not care much about how it had happened.
"Beautiful!"
"Who cares? We're ahead!"
"I'd love it if we could quietly blow the Mavericks out before anyone even realizes what happened!"
"Go Suns!"
The atmosphere remained lively. Most fans cared only about the result.
Winning was all that mattered.
The second quarter began with the bench units facing each other.
As the game continued and the starters returned, nothing seemed particularly unusual.
Yet by halftime, the Suns had somehow stretched their lead to fourteen points.
During the break, the two commentators exchanged glances.
They finally understood.
"Mike, neither team went through a scoring drought in the second quarter, and neither side went on a major run. The game looked fairly even.
"So how are the Suns leading by fourteen at halftime?
"Remember, the Mavericks eliminated the Thunder in five games in the first round, then swept the Spurs in the second. What exactly is happening here?"
Van Gundy still sounded puzzled.
"Hmm..."
Mike Breen thought for a moment before answering.
"It's because of Blake.
"His defensive pressure has caused a chain reaction, and that butterfly effect has gradually pushed the Mavericks further behind."
"Oh?"
Van Gundy motioned for him to continue.
"Everyone knows that both the Suns and Mavericks are built around a single superstar. Blake is the absolute core of Phoenix, while Nowitzki is the absolute core of Dallas.
"During their regular season meetings, we discovered that the 'German Wunderkind' Nowitzki represents only one part of what the 'Monster Rookie' Blake can do.
"Or to put it another way, Blake is an 'upgraded version' of Nowitzki.
"Blake hasn't completely shut him down one on one tonight, but he has put tremendous pressure on him.
"A major reason the Mavericks are so strong, and why all their players perform so well, is Nowitzki's ability to draw defensive attention.
"When teams double him, he pulls defenders away and creates better opportunities for his teammates.
"When they don't double him, he uses his elite scoring ability to punish them himself.
"Either way, Dallas gains an advantage.
"But tonight, Nowitzki's efficiency has dropped against Blake, and Phoenix hasn't needed to send a double team.
"That means Nowitzki isn't scoring efficiently, while his teammates are still forced to attack against set defenders. Without Kidd controlling the pace, the situation might be even worse.
"The opposite is happening for Phoenix.
"Marion is an excellent defender, but he simply cannot stop Blake. When Dallas sends help, Blake gets rid of the ball at the right moment.
"Sometimes that creates an immediate scoring opportunity. Other times, Nash makes the extra pass and creates one.
"The difference isn't dramatic from possession to possession, but over time, those small advantages keep adding up.
"That's why the lead has grown without anyone noticing."
Van Gundy considered his explanation.
"Does losing Nowitzki's ability to draw defenders really make that much of a difference?
"Blake also did a great job limiting Kobe in the previous round, but the rest of the Lakers still played well."
"That's true."
Mike Breen nodded.
"But the situations are different.
"Besides Kobe, the Lakers also had an All Star caliber second option in Pau Gasol and a third option in Bynum. Even when Kobe was contained, those two could still create offense.
"The Mavericks are much more dependent on one superstar. Once Nowitzki is limited and his ability to draw defensive attention declines, the entire team drops a level.
"The same thing happened to the Suns in the first round.
"Before Blake adjusted to playoff basketball, he wasn't performing at his best. As a result, the top seeded Suns were dominated by the eighth seeded Grizzlies in three straight games, and people began to think they might be swept.
"But starting in Game 4, Blake adapted to the playoffs and found a way to win. Only then did Phoenix begin playing like the best team in the West again.
"That's the difficulty of building around a single superstar.
"It's also one reason no player in NBA history has ever won a championship entirely on his own.
"The team depends far too heavily on its cornerstone."
"I understand now."
Van Gundy nodded firmly.
"Nowitzki represents only one part of Blake's game. Blake is the 'upgraded version' of Nowitzki.
"No wonder Blake has guarded him since the opening possession. His goal was obvious. He wanted to cut off the Mavericks at their source.
"So far, it has worked extremely well."
The commentators' explanation helped many confused viewers understand what was happening.
It was also exactly why Blake had been so confident before the series.
The fans inside the arena gradually began to understand as well.
Naturally, the Mavericks understood too.
In truth, they had known from the beginning.
After several regular season meetings and extensive film study during the playoffs, Dallas had spent plenty of time analyzing Blake.
They had still allowed Nowitzki to challenge him directly because they wanted to give their leader another chance to prove he could overcome him.
One half had provided the answer.
Nowitzki truly was no match for Blake.
Facing an "upgraded version" of himself had made every possession difficult and uncomfortable.
Inside the Mavericks' locker room, Rick Carlisle addressed him.
"Dirk, we gave you the entire first half, and you're still struggling.
"This isn't the time to be stubborn. Basketball isn't a one man game.
"The Mavericks need you, and you need to step up.
"So in the second half, avoid matching up directly with Blake whenever possible. Look for switches and attack someone else.
"Of course, when there's no other option, go at him.
"Low efficiency doesn't mean you can't score against Blake. Whatever happens, we cannot lose our confidence.
"Keep fighting.
"I believe you can continue leading the Mavericks to victory with the same peak level performance you showed in the first two rounds."
Nowitzki nodded seriously.
"I will."