Nick & Nash Mavs' backcourt makes its point

DALLAS (AP) -- When Steve Nash and Nick Van Exel are in the backcourt, there's not much strategy in deciding who runs the floor for the Mavericks.

"It's interchangeable," Van Exel said. "In fastbreak situations, whoever gets the ball runs the play."

On set plays, coach Don Nelson makes the call. The way he sees it, he can't go wrong with either one.

"They're great to have on the court, especially down the stretch," Nelson said. "They do it so differently. Steve does it with speed, Van Exel does it with finesse."

The Minnesota Timberwolves saw the two at their best in Game 1 of the first-round series on Sunday.

The Mavericks went to the Nick & Nash combination at the start of the second quarter and quickly erased a nine-point deficit. The two fueled a 12-0 second-half run that led to a 101-94 victory. Nash finished with 21 points and seven assists in 42 minutes. Van Exel had 18 points and six assists in 36 minutes.

Now Minnesota is bracing for even more double trouble in Game 2 on Wednesday.

"Both of those guys are so effective," Wolves point guard Chauncey Billups said. "I feel like they're both All-Star point guards in this league.

"It causes a problem for any team when you have two guys out there who can get to the basket, who can score, penetrate and kick, shoot the 3-ball. It's a tough matchup."