We all know the history.

No team in the NBA has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs.

The Mavericks went home after upending the Lakers twice in Los Angeles, and pulled out another win.

It wasn’t so much the win itself, as it was the nature of the win. The Lakers seemed to have fully established control of the game, leading by seven with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. But Dirk came through. Peja came through. “The Jet” came through. But what was most interesting was who didn’t come through.

Since L.A.’s surprising Game 1 loss, the Black Mamba has been snake bitten.

After that game, pundits called Los Angeles out for not exploiting what seemed like its major advantage – their interior muscle. Acting as if he were a good boy scout, the efforts to play a more team-oriented brand of basketball was apparent in the next game. Game 2 came and went without Kobe really even getting a chance to fire his guns. In the post game interview, Bryant was frustrated, but still appeared to be confident – undoubtedly about his ability to play better (perhaps shifting into his more shooter friendly mode).

Well, tonight, Bryant had 17 points and 6 assists. But more importantly, Bryant has looked like a mere mortal in this series. Kobe has not been the player that we’ve become accustomed to witnessing make all of the big shots down the stretch. He made a couple against veteran Jason Kidd, but either missed or was unable to find the ball as the final seconds ticked away.

Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki is definitely playing his best postseason basketball ever. He scoring in clutch situations, and making the right decisions when double-teams come his way.

The Mavs are one game away from a conference finals appearance.

Who’d have thought that this ‘soft’ bunch would have a chance?

T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com.  All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author