The explanation can't possibly be that simple, even though Bonner has been one of San Antonio's defensive keys to keeping Nowitzki under wraps through two games of the first-round series.

The way Nowitzki has struggled, it's a mild shocker that the Mavericks are level with the Spurs. Playoffs usually are dictated by superstars. In the matchup of the series' two best players, Nowitzki is getting trounced by Tony Parker.

But that's why a series is best-of-7. After two games, it's foolish to try to declare a winner, especially when it's 1-1 going into Thursday's Game 3 at American Airlines Center.

Nowitzki, who finished the season with 25 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points, hasn't made it to that mark in the playoffs yet. It's the first time since May 5 and 7, 2005 against Houston that he's gone consecutive playoff games without reaching 20.

To find three in a row, you have to go back to his second season and first playoff appearance in 2000-01.

Clearly, the Spurs are making the Mavericks' star uncomfortable on the offensive end. He is getting crowded by Bonner, or Bruce Bowen or Drew Gooden, and if he puts the ball on the floor to shake free, other Spurs are running at him.

Isn't there anything Nowitzki or coach Rick Carlisle can do to free him up?

"Not really," Nowitzki said. "That's their game plan. Maybe catch the ball a little more on the move. They're not giving me any room."

Jason Terry, the second focal point of the Spurs' defense, has talked at length about him and Nowitzki being willing passers and having faith in teammates to pick up the scoring slack.

Carlisle doesn't have to say much to his stars about it.

"We deal with this all year," he said. "There are teams that double-team Dirk at the 3-point line. When that happens, the onus is on everybody else to hit shots. I don't need to go into a long dissertation about it because our guys know where things are."

Nowitzki's struggles were compounded in Game 2 when Bonner had 11 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes, shooting 3-of-9 from the field. That's a virtual push with Nowitzki's 14 points and six boards on 3-of-14 shooting.

No way San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich plans on a push in that match.

Meanwhile, Parker has been, as Terry said, "the head of the snake." He's the part that does the biting.

"We need to make someone else beat us to have a chance," Terry said.

The confusion and frustration that Parker is causing is becoming evident. The guards are having a tough time keeping him out of the paint. And if the big guys help out, they risk Tim Duncan having a big offensive night.

No matter how they do it, the Mavericks need to find a way to slow down Parker to where he's merely great instead of all-universe.

If they can't, the gap between the two superstars is going to be awfully tough for the Mavericks to overcome.

Too much Tony, not enough Dirk

How Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker stack up after two games of the first-round series.

Nowitzki Parker

16.5 Scoring avg. 31.0

10-29 FGs 25-44

.345 FG pct. .568

0-6 3-point FGs 1-3

13-14 Free throws 11-15

2.5 Assist avg. 8.0

7.0 Reb. avg. 4.0