Nowitzki's 36 leads Mavs over Spurs 100-94

All Texas matchup out West, Dallas hosting San Antonio.

Dallas, taking a five point lead into the break as Dirk Nowitzki drills the J, and picks up the foul, just beating the buzzer to end the first half.

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (C) drives  between Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler (L)  and guard Jason Terry during the second half of Game  1 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series in  Dallas, Texas April 18, 2010.« Read less REUTERS/Mike  Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Halfway through the third, Dallas up one...the Spurs take the lead, Tim Duncan hard to the hole. San Antonio, takes a 1 point lead.

Later in the Q, Nowitzki goes "and one" again, he nails the jumper, picking up the foul in the process. Dallas, up by 6, Nowitzki with 36

Midway through the final frame, the Spurs make it a five point game. Tim Duncan inside, he had 27 on the evening.

But Nowitzki, had the hot hand on the night, and when he's going, so hard to contain, hitting the fade-away J to put the Mavs up 9, with just under 5 to play.

Then, with just under three to go, the dagger from Jason Kidd, nailing the triple to put Big D up 11, they take game one 100-94.