One stabs with finesse, the other with fire.

That's why Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders recently called the Mavericks' point-guard combination of Steve Nash and Nick Van Exel a "two-headed monster."

That's why they're even more monstrous when they're on the court together.

"They both like to do the same thing ? get into the basket," said Wolves reserve Robert Pack, who teamed with each during stints with Dallas and Denver. "Nash, you know he's going to give you a move and try to get to the basket, or back you up a couple of times and pull up for a three. But Nick's got a little more trickery, he's a little more herky-jerky. He can go, stop, come all the way back out, go again, spin three times.

"They want to do the same things, but just the way they go about it is different. And when they're on the floor together ?"

Controlled chaos ensues, at least for the team trying to defend them.

After all, it was no coincidence that the Mavs erased a nine-point, second-quarter deficit with Nash and Van Exel on the floor in Dallas' Game 1 victory Sunday. Or that the Mavs took control of the game during a 12-0 second-half run in which both point guards were on the floor.