SPURS preparing for Texas showdown during long break

<br>(San Antonio-AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs know it's unlikely they'll coast through the postseason like they did two years ago. <br><br>In 1999, the Spurs went 15-and-2 en route to the NBA title.

Friday, May 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(San Antonio-AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs know it's unlikely they'll coast through the postseason like they did two years ago.

In 1999, the Spurs went 15-and-2 en route to the NBA title. Thursday night, they learned who they're next opponent will be.

It'll be their upstart, overachieving cross-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks. The best-of-seven series opens Saturday in San Antonio.

San Antonio wrapped up its opening series Monday night by taking their third win in four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But the Mavs have some momentum. They had to come back from an 0-and-2 deficit by taking the last three straight in their first-round playoff against the veteran Utah Jazz. The closed out the Jazz Thursday night by rallying to an 84-to-83 win.