Mavs' Dampier ready if Spurs keep fouling him

DALLAS (AP) -- Erick Dampier plans to be ready if the San Antonio Spurs again decide the best way to slow the Dallas Mavericks is by sending him to the foul line.

In Game 1 of their playoff series Sunday night, the Spurs were so frustrated by the way Dirk Nowitzki was taking over that coach Gregg Popovich told his guys to intentionally foul Dampier.

The Hack-a-Damp strategy lasted three straight possessions.

After going 1 of 2 on his first two trips, Dampier made both the third time. That put the Mavericks up by six points, which ended up being their margin of victory.

Dampier finished the game 5-for-12 from the line, so he spent a light practice Monday working on his free throws. He made 140 out of 150.