The first quarter of Game Four has seen the Mavericks open up a four-point lead on the defending champs. The Laker offense isn't doing much: they're averaging less than a point per possession so far. Kobe Bryant has wasted no time looking to score and has 13 points on nine shots (including free-throw possessions), mostly coming on pull-up jumpers in the paint. And the team as a whole is doing a nice job of getting to the line. Otherwise, guys are struggling to generate clean looks. Pau Gasol still looks uncomfortable, and everyone's still honking their three-point attempts.

The Mavs used an 8-0 run in the middle of the period to put a little distance between themselves and the Lake Show. Their offensive execution looks solid, as usual. Dirk Nowitzki has just four points, but four different Mavs have made three-pointers. Already the Dallas bench has come through with eight points.