SAN ANTONIO -- It doesn't provide a great deal of comfort after three successive losses in their first-round series with San Antonio, but the Dallas Mavericks do have two prominent members in the organization who have experience coming back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.
Mavericks swingman Shawn Marion did it with Phoenix against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Coach Rick Carlisle's Detroit Pistons overturned a 3-1 deficit against Orlando in the first round in 2003.
Marion insisted after Sunday's 92-89 defeat that he believes a comeback is still possible, even though history suggests that it's an extreme long shot.
Only eight teams in NBA annals, out of the 189 that have tried, have managed to win three games in a row after falling into a 3-1 deficit hole.
"I've been in this situation," Marion said. "It can be done.
"I don't see no fat lady."
Said Carlisle: "It starts with winning Game 5 [on Tuesday night]. That's the starting point."
Although he was visibly displeased to be lifted again by Carlisle early in the fourth quarter, Marion insisted that he would get past the move.
"I've got to support the coach's decision and we've got to stay together," Marion said after totaling 14 points and seven rebounds in Game 4.
Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.