As ugly as things got in Denver on Sunday, they could have been a lot uglier.
In what may turn out to be a mild scare, Josh Howard went down midway through the second quarter, clutching at his ankle and writhing on the floor. The ankle Howard rolled was not the ankle that had hampered Howard throughout the season, but, as anyone could tell you, his reaction was vaguely frightening.
Howard would return after the half, but he said that both ankles hurt after the game.
After a fourth-quarter collapse of sorts marked by errant passes, forced shots and numerous turnovers, the idea of losing Howard would be a devastating one. He has been called the Mavericks' x-factor by many, and he probably proved as much in round one against the Spurs.
The way Denver played on Sunday, the series looks like it will be a tough one regardless. If Dallas was charged with such a task in Howard's absence, it would border on the impossible.
Howard finished with 15 points in 33 minutes on Sunday.
Howard's was just one of a series of close calls for Dallas in Game One. Erick Dampier twisted his right ankle in the first half, and Dirk Nowitzki was worn down thoroughly by Denver's aggressive defensive attack.
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Nowitzki went to the line only four times in the contest.
Dallas will remain in Denver for Game Two on Tuesday night.
