By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
      Going into Game 4, we outlined our thoughts. We outlined our concerns. We outlined our predictions.
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     Now we have a 94-92 loss and a 3-1 series deficit. Let’s see which of the DallasBasketball.com staff’s thoughts were bright, which of the concerns were justified, which of the predictions came true:

      GOING IN: PUTTING THE D IN DALLAS – Kings coach Rick Adelman dissed the Mavs’ defensive work after Game 3, sarcastically comparing Dallas to defensive powers Detroit and San Antonio. Most coaches would acknowledge the opponent after being held in the 30-percent area after one game. After a second straight such performance, Adelman might be alone in not noting that Dallas MUST be doing something right.
      And we’ll tell you exactly what the Mavs did right in Game 3: They hired five Najeras. Give credit to colleague Mike Fisher, who wondered aloud last week why other big, muscular Mavs who are more physically gifted than Eddie can’t bang the same way he does. And voila! There in Game 3 were Antawn Najera, Antoine Najera, Dirk Najera, Josh Najera. … all pushing and shoving and banging, and doing it with even more athletic ability than Eduardo has. We’re dying to see more of the same. – David Lord.
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Oh, it was nasty. Dirty, filthy, nasty. … And by the end of the first half, maybe Adelman was starting to believe the Mavs are somewhat capable on the defensive end. With four minutes left in the half, Sacto had 10 turnovers. There was Sacto shooting in the 30’s again. This Kings team that had been held to an average of 81 points in the previous two games had 39 at halftime, and failed to score in the final three minutes before intermission.
      Peja Stojakovic was just 1-of-11 in the first half, and if Dallas had been able to continue to solve him in the second half, they wouldn’t be looking at a 3-1 deficit in the series. Peja exploded for 12 points in the third quarter, turning Dallas’ 43-39 lead into a 70-65 deficit, and finished with 20 points, many by creating his shot, something he is said to be unable to do.
      Dallas’ problem here, though, wasn’t on defense. As Nellie said, “Who would ever think this would turn into a defensive battle? But it has. Both teams were really solid on the defensive end.’’
      It’s true. Here, Dallas’ offense was the culprit.

      GOING IN: CRUISE CONTROL – It’s happened all year: The Mavs go through a tough time, feel a sense of urgency that forces them to rescue themselves. … and then get so satisfied with their recovery that they relax again, and then fall back into tough times. Winning Game 3 was almost too easy. … leading us to wonder if Dallas – with its habit of what colleague David Lord calls “Cruise Control’’ – is ready for another ill-advised 48 minutes of relaxation. – Tim McDarby
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Nope. The intensity was there. The urgency was there. The Mavs played as if they were fighting for their jobs, and their coaches’ jobs. … which all the critics will now say is exactly the case.
      “I don’t think anybody played well for us, but we played hard,’’ said Nellie.

      GOING IN: DOCTOR’S ORDERS – Medical decisions may have sabotaged the Kings title chances: Bobby Jackson being misdiagnosed and thus twice coming back too soon from his serious ab injury. With a wise, cautious approach, he might have returned to full health by the start of the playoffs. Brad Miller’s been a non-factor, possibly because he tried to play through a regular-season elbow injury, rather than giving it a chance to heal. The Kings can’t win a title if Brad can’t play his game. It turns out being macho is dumb. Real dumb. – Dennis Hans
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Miller made major contributions for the first time in the series, with 10 points and 16 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Darius Songaila also gave them a little something, earning clutch minutes. But the big injury news in Game 4 was the back injury to Antawn Jamison, slow to leave the halftime locker room after playing in the first half. He scored 10 points but was available to play just 19 minutes.

      GOING IN: THE SECOND BANANA FORMULA – No individual wins a playoff series by himself. KG couldn’t do it in Minnesota, but now will because he’s got an assortment of Second Bananas who on a given night can complement his 20/20/10 by getting 20-plus themselves. Had Dallas gotten a Sam Cassell/Latrell Sprewell effort by SOMEBODY in Games 1 and 2, Dallas would have won both those games. By getting Marquis Daniels to do it in Game 3, a win was predictable. - Mike Fisher
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: In Game 4, the First Banana didn’t show up big enough. Dirk was just 5-of-22, missing his final eight shots and not finding a way to get open for the ball on the final possession.
      But the Mav hanging his head the lowest right now is Steve Nash, not just for missing the final potential tying shot in a 94-92 loss, and not just for missing an open 3 with 53 seconds left, but for his total output in this series. Nash ended 4-of-11 for 11 points, giving him 44 points for the series (11 per game) on horrific 18-of-51 (35 percent) shooting.
      Nash vs. Bibby in this contest has been no contest. Bibby’s been an occasional First Banana; Nash isn’t even in the bunch.

      GOING IN: TAKING FREEBIES – Teams want certain players at the stripe when it matters. But the Kings have a very short list of those desirable guys. (We see Indy’s Reggie Miller being allowed to powder his hands before a free throw; why can’t shaky Vlade steady his nerves with a few puffs on a sideline cig?) C-Webb is a most risky FT proposition – in fact, he’s at the top of the list of why the Kings’ inattention to FT flaws cost them past Western Conference titles. … and could cost them this series. - Dennis Hans
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Sacto’s free-throw flaws are undoubtedly an issue for them. But in Game 4, a bigger concern – a more freaky concern – was Dallas’ struggles from the line.
     In the last few seasons, the Mavs have emerged as the NBA’s best free-throw shooting club. But Monday, the Mavs missed three of their first eight, seven of their first 14, and, at halftime, an astoundingly disappointing 8-of-18.
      It was Dallas up 44-39 at the half. With a not-uncommon level of success from the line, the Mavs make eight more of those free throws and are up 13 instead of up five.
      The problems continued in the second half, and down the stretch. Dirk missed a couple late. Marquis missed a late one. End result, 20 of 33 for 60 percent? From the Mavs? Again, we do the math, only this time with greatly reduced expectations: Make three more freebies – three more points being enough to win this game – and that’s only 69 percent.
      At 69 percent, the Mavs are upset with their work from the line, but are still winners.

      GOING IN: BENCH POWER – Sacto is putting on an exhibition in how NOT to develop a young player with loads of raw talent, witness the arrested development of Gerald Wallace. Coach Rick Adelman talks a lot about how injuries have affected his team’s depth. But Wallace could be the answer to that, and he’s healthy, with a body and some skills similar to Dallas rookies Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels. While Dallas develops those guys on the fly, Sacramento’s staff doesn’t seem to have a clue. - Dennis Hans
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels each took on three early fouls, and as a result, neither produced much in the first half. The two guys who give Dallas its depth injection each recorded fourth fouls to start the third period.
      In the end, they did not play well. “I thought this was a game in which my rookies played like rookies,’’ said Nellie, before adding a more accurate and all-encompassing analysis. “But they weren’t alone.’’

      GOING IN: HOME SWEET HOME – For whatever reason, home teams have dominated in these playoffs. Each of the first three games in this series have been won by the home team, and we’re betting being at ARCO for the Kings or being at the American Airlines Center for the Mavs is worth as many as eight-to-10 points for the home club. -- David Lord
      COMING OUT OF GAME 4: Nope. That didn’t work out at all. For the staff of DallasBasketball.com, or for the Mavs.