Warriors Pull Off A Shocker

Mickael Pietrus spends some quality time with the fans after the Warriors won their first playoff series since 1991.

Baron Davis was the main reason why the Warriors became the first No. 8 seed to win a best-of-seven series. The explosive point guard averaged 25 points against the Mavs, shooting 54 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range. He scored 20 points in the series-clinching Game 6 victory despite limping around on an injured hamstring.

Jason Richardson, playing in the first playoff series of his six-year career, averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in the six games. He made 15 of the Warriors' 62 three-pointers.

Coach Don Nelson, shown here with Baron Davis, guided the Warriors to a 9-1 finish just to make the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. Nelson topped that in the first round by tormenting a Mavs team he coached for eight seasons.

The Warriors relied on a small-ball style to upend the Mavs, but Andris Biedrins, the one true big man in their rotation, was a significant factor in the series. He recorded two double-doubles, including a 12-point, 12-rebound performance in Game 6.

Dirk Nowitzki was unable to exploit his size advantage against the Warriors, who relied on their quickness and an assortment of double teams to stifle the Mavs' star 7-footer. Nowitzki capped his disappointing series with a 2-for-13 shooting effort in Game 6.

Stephen Jackson had an eventful series. When he managed to stay on the court -- he was ejected from two games -- he made big shot after big shot. He picked up the slack for an ailing Baron Davis in Game 6, hitting 7-of-8 three-pointers and finishing with 33 points.

The Warriors put the clamps on Devin Harris and his teammates, limiting the Mavs to 42.3 percent shooting in the series. Dallas had shot 46.7 percent during the regular season.

Jason Terry had a decent series offensively, but he and the Mavs' other perimeter defenders had no answer for Baron Davis, who expertly orchestrated a Warriors offense that averaged 105.2 points on 46.4 percent shooting.

Owner Mark Cuban said he doesn't foresee ''blowing anything up'' after his 67-win Mavs failed to get out of the first round in defense of their Western Conference title.