Sports

Spurs may spell doom for Mavericks

You know what Pat Riley says . . . a playoff series doesn’t begin until Mark Cuban loses his mind at home.

After 83 games, it was nice of Richard Jefferson to return to the living for at least one half. Sources say the Spurs are trying to buy him out of next season’s contract before he bombs in Game 3.

Muscle along the beach front and the game’s measured pace has shrunk Shawn Marion’s effectiveness. After scoring 42 points in his last five games of the regular season — 21 in one, 21 combined in the other four — he has a total of 15 (6-for-17 field goals and four free throws) in 53 minutes in the first two games of this series. The Matrix is lookin’ like a mattress.

The Mavericks’ pick-and-roll defense in their Game 2 loss was shaky and all over the map. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Spurs went to Tim Duncan, looking especially spry for this time of year, and that strategy worked wonders, too. Only when Jason Terry broke free in the open court and a 20-point lead was sliced to five in the fourth did Dallas Do Debbie.

A little while later, following several exchanges of baskets, Rick Carlisle called a timeout. TNT’s sideline courier of conversations provided this enlightening information: “Rick told his players, ‘Our offense is fine, but we’ve got to start making stops at the defensive end.’ ”

I almost have more respect for the guy who gave Osama bin Laden the microphone for his first Al Qaeda video than the dope who created this useless and incessantly annoying occupation of flatline reporter.

The pendulum may have swung seriously in favor of the Spurs if Tony Parker’s performance means he’s back. Last time Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Parker were healthy simultaneously in the playoffs was 2007.

I’m not sayin’ . . . I’m just sayin’!

It may be treasonous, but I’m rooting for Argentina in the World Championship and the Olympics as long as Ginobili represents.

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“Let’s be honest,” column contributor Sal Fratino offers, “The Heat without Dwyane Wade are worse than the Knicks without him.”

Did you happen to catch Stephen Curry‘s stats from the Warriors’ season finale, a 122-116 win over the Blazers — 42 points, nine rebounds and eight assists? After a review, the NBA has credited two additional assists, both to Timberwolves GM David Kahn for taking Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn ahead of Curry in the draft.

I hate the kind of provincial pap spouted by Joakim Noah regarding Cleveland. Anyone who demeans any city is just plain ignorant and looking to provoke problems for themselves and those around them.

On the other hand, I love Noah’s lack of reluctance to call out sacred cows — LeBron James, for dancing on the Bulls’ grave last season before the body was cold, and Kevin Garnett for being a “dirty” player.

Charles Barkley didn’t grow any hair until he began hanging out in TNT’s peanut gallery. Noah is spewing ash while still active.

Nuggets’ acting head coach Adrian Dantley, who has a degree in economics from Notre Dame, began preparing to be a pack leader when he was with the Pistons. He was one of the first to buy his own VCR and study film. How could you score 23,177 points at 6-foot-4 and not be a student of the game!

So, according to what I’m reading, the Hornets reputedly like David Lee enough to consider using Chris Paul to arrange a sign-and-trade. Really! I know it’s a minor detail, but what position would Lee play?

New Orleans already has a center (Emeka Okafor) and an All-Star (David West) macho forward. Oh, yeah, and the final paperwork regarding George Shinn‘s sale of his team to Gary Chouest should be announced next week.

What’s the new guy’s plan of action? Trade his franchise player, of course. Even Isiah Thomas wouldn’t do that, I don’t think.

Earl Monroe is being awarded his second “honorary doctorate” (Manhattanville College was his first) on May 8 by his alma mater, Winston-Salem State University.

Brendan Haywood must have been Gilbert Arenas‘s best friend on Cellblock Wizards. Did you see him yuckin’ and yackin’ at Antonio McDyess after he blocked his corner jumper?

Can’t get enough of the NFL Draft . . . or, as Jets management refers to it, work release.

peter.vecsey@nypost.com