Game 1 Western Conference Quarter Finals: SAN ANTONIO SPURS 90, Dallas Mavericks 85

(Photos by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images)

After playing all season for home court, the San Antonio Spurs almost lost it in their first game of the playoffs against Texan rival Dallas Mavericks.

The Spurs had to overcome a 10-point deficit as the Mavs lead 81-71 with 7:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.

During the third quarter, Spurs nation held their collective breath when Tim Duncan hobbled to the bench, holding his knee. But Duncan returned to put the Spurs on his shoulders to overcome the Mavs by scoring nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter on 4-for-5 shooting in the paint.

The Spurs tied the game with 4:54 remaining before Tony Parker drove to the basket to take a 83-81 lead. Parker finished with 21 points and 6 assists.

The Mavs restricted the Spurs to 3-of-17 from the 3-point line but Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis had little input in scoring only 11 points each and both shot 4-of-14 from the field. Devin Harris came off the bench to lead the Mavs with 19 points and 5 assists.

In compounding a difficult lost opportunity for the Mavs, the Spurs have a 24-4 playoff series record when winning Game 1 under coach Greg Popovich.