He managed no more than a quiet 19 points and five rebounds to take the sharpest dip yet from the first-round domination that put Nowitzki on last week's Sports Illustrated cover. Missing nine of his 15 shots, and failing even to sweep the boards as manfully as he had in Sacramento, Nowitzki found himself at the center of Don Nelson's post-game autopsy after the Kings ? showing more grit than they've ever been known for before ? claimed a crucial 125-119 shootout victory.

"They're taking everything away that [Nowitzki] likes to do," Nelson said. "It's a great learning situation for him. I know it's not a pleasant thing to go through, but his next stage of being a great, great player is to add the pass to his beautiful game, and they're forcing him to do that."

Nelson went on to suggest that the swarming affected Nowitzki's defense as well, as he did little to slow Chris Webber when given the opportunity. Teammate Steve Nash, suffering himself on a 5-for-19 shooting night, suggested that Nowitzki was feeling ill, but Nowitzki admits that the pep in his step so evident in the first round hasn't been visible even once against the Kings.