Libertine, you are a ray of sunshine today!!!!!
This battle will indeed come down to the supporting casts, but i doubt if Benson will be required to contribute more then his usual.
I think the Mavs are going to win this one, convincingly, but by < 10 and here's why...
1) The Mavs have Jacob and after the year he has had [where i would consider he has cruised to some degree] he is ready to turn up the heat right on the Sabres.
2) Trebilcock had a poor showing last week. He has a lot of pride and fight, he will not want another poor performance in this Easterns biggest game of the year.
3) Jacob would be the best matched player in the League to guard Sturts #1 man Oscar. He plays with/against him everyday in the NBL season, knows his game inside out, has the strength to win the rebounding and the speed to match.
NOW...
I did say < 10, here's why:
Sturt has so many back up weapons. Their gameis to share the ball and let each of Bauer, Wilkey, Gower, Forman et al have little spurts. A nightmare for opposition coaches.
Good Luck to both teams.