Western Conference finals began as a showcase for the N.B.A. in Texas. After two games and a hailstorm of referees whistles, the so-called I-35 series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks has veered off course.

Heading into Game 3 on Friday with the four-of-seven-game series tied at 1-1, the focus will be on how the officials call the game, not on the game itself.

"I think that is pretty bad because I think it could be a pretty good series if it just played out the way it's supposed to play out," Dallas guard Nick Van Exel said today.