LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki, two of the game’s best players and both hungry for that elusive pro basketball crown, lead the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks respectively into the NBA Finals that tip off Tuesday.
While only four players remain from the 2006 series when Dallas blew a 2-0 lead to hand the Heat the title, that bit of redemption could be the difference that drives Nowitzki (one of those four) who is having a hall-of-fame playoff season so far.
Nowitzki’s fadeaway is not far behind Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s sky hook as one basketball’s most difficult shots to defend. The numbers? The 13-year veteran is averaging 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Only once in these playoffs has he been held to fewer than 20 points, and he has scored 30 or more five times. Dirk is shooting 51 percent from the field and is 130-of-140 from the free-throw line. No matter who guards him, Nowitzki averages over 26 points in 11 games against the Heat.
But Dallas really has gotten this far from contributions all down the roster. Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic from beyond the arc. JJ Barea and Shawn Marion from all over. Also playing stellar is 38 year-old guard Jason Kidd. While the guard is averaging 9.9 points, 7.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds, the key in this Mavs playoff run is his defense leading everyone with 33 steals in 15 games. Dallas is allowing just 92 points during the playoffs and a lot of credit should go to big man Tyson Chandler handling duties down in the paint.
For Miami, most eyes will be on LeBron who will continue to do a little bit of everything and do it well, but look for Dwayne Wade to perform like he did back in the ’06 title series, getting lots of free throws driving to the basket and forcing contact over and over again.
With Dallas undoubtedly planning some zone D to contain the penetration of James and Wade, Mike Miller will be counted on for some scoring punch outside. Chris Bosh is playing excellent of late, but the Heat proclaimed themselves championship-ready before training camp with tremendous publicity. You can’t make the Finals with all that hype and then fail, but while Miami knows they are Goliath, they are also young enough to be back again should they fall short. Will they fall short?
PREDICTION:
DALLAS. The depth, hunger, ticking clock of their aging roster and contributions from more players help the Mavericks win the title.
Schedule
| Tuesday, May 31 | Mavs vs. Heat | ABC | 9 ET |
| Thursday, June 2 | Mavs vs. Heat | ABC | 9 ET |
| Sunday, June 5 | Heat vs. Mavs | ABC | 8 ET |
| Tuesday, June 7 | Heat vs. Mavs | ABC | 9 ET |
| Thursday, June 9 | Heat vs. Mavs* | ABC | 9 ET |
| Sunday, June 12 | Mavs vs. Heat* | ABC | 8 ET |
| Tuesday, June 14 | Mavs vs. Heat* | ABC | 9 ET |
*If necessary
