This is like a really entertaining pickup game

Seriously, is there a better way to describe Game 1 between the Mavs and Suns? Up an down all game, 239 points combined, and both teams shooting over 50%. Cap it off by late game dramatics, with both teams hitting lead-changing shots in the final seconds, and really, what more can you ask for? One of the most entertaining NBA games I've seen in a while, as much for the ending as for the style of play throughout. Some thoughts:

- Dirk didn't really shoot well from the outside, but he played a heck of a game. 25 points and 19 rebounds, including 8 offensive. He wanted every offensive rebound out there, and very often, he was successful.

- Steve Nash was absolutely atrocious on the defensive end - he let guys drive by him at will, he was terrible on the pick & roll, etc. - but he was great offensively. Aggressive when he had the openings, passive when other guys were open, and he hit some big shots down the stretch. He had 2/3 of the Suns assists for the game.

- If Josh Howard and Raja Bell have to sit out because of injuries, it's obviously enormous but I think the loss of Bell would hurt the Suns more than the loss of Howard hurts Mavs, for a couple of reasons. For one, Bell has been the Suns most consistent outside shooter, but more importantly, they need him to guard Jason Terry. Howard is big for the Mavs, but they're deeper than the Suns, so they'd be better able to absorb the loss.

- I would be a little worried if I were the Suns because the Mavs defended the 3-point shot well because they stayed on shooters. Now, Phoenix still won despite only making 5 3s, but they won't shoot 55% all series, and I don't think they'll be able to count on 34 a game from Boris Diaw.

- Not much else to say, except that this game was just totally awesome.