One by one, the Mavericks said they are ready to circle the wagons. They just hope Tim Duncan won't be filling those wagons with bullet holes the way he did in Game 3.

Without Dirk Nowitzki for Game 4 on Sunday night, the Mavericks will utilize every possible gimmick they can think of. But the only way they truly can survive losing their best player is by simply playing their best conceivable basketball.

"There's no question we're going to have to get an 'A' game from everybody," assistant coach Donnie Nelson said. "And we're going to need a near-perfect game plan. We're capable of doing that."

Raef LaFrentz was asked if stellar play from Nick Van Exel, a great rebounding night, quality defense or big games from Michael Finley and Steve Nash would be enough to handle the Spurs.

"All of the above," he said. "And we have to find something that will work a little better on Tim. Any little lapse you have, he makes you pay for it."