2011 NBA Finals: 4 Signs That Point to a Mavericks Game 3 Victory

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 02: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots and makes a 3-point shot in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to put the Mavericks up 93-90 against the Miami Heat n Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena

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Stunning and legendary. There's no better feeling than when everyone tells you that your team has no chance and they come back and shut everyone up.

It's important that the Mavericks don't get too high on their Game 2 accomplishment as Dirk and Jet mentioned during the postgame conferences.

Winning all three games at home for Dallas against the Heat is no little task, but there are four signs that point to at least a Game 3 win.

Let's check them out, in order leading up to the most important.

4. Mental Toughness

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 02: Shawn Marion #0 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

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Be afraid of this Dallas Mavericks team. They have seen everything. Before these playoffs, they were always on the wrong side of things. Three times this postseason, yes three, the Mavericks have come back from a deficit of 15 or more points in the second half; two of those comebacks occurring in the fourth quarter. Impressive, yeah?

If any other team was in a situation where they were down 10 with three minutes left, they would probably just say there was simply no chance. If it was the Mavericks, they would keep chipping away at it until the final buzzer sounds.

3. They Got the Memo After Game 1

Tyson puts up the shot after 1 of his 4 offensive boards
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Mavs fans, lets face it: We got run off the court in Game 1. Not a blowout, but still a pretty poor level of play overall. One of the biggest things the Mavericks did wrong was that they didn't rebound the ball offensively. That was Game 1.

In Game 2, you see, the Mavs out-rebounded Miami 41-30. They out-rebounded the Heat by six defensive boards and five offensive boards. Now, I'm sure at least two of those five second chance opportunities for the Mavs were cashed in. If Miami had secured the offensive boards battle, they would've won this game.

2. Home Court and the AAC

DALLAS, TX - MAY 25: Dallas Mavericks fans paints their chests saying 'Dirk' for Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Mavericks before the Mavericks take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Ameri

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You knew this was coming. The Mavs are coming home to the hungriest crowd I can imagine. After being stripped of the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2006, Mavs fans are salivating at the thought of just one more Finals game, one more Finals introduction and just one more Championship than the number they currently have. Look for these fans to be one of the biggest factors in deciding who wins Game 3 in Dallas.

1. The Chance to Close It out at Home

DALLAS, TX - MAY 25: Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the fourth quarter while taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2011 i

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You've all seen the moment before. Game 6 of the 2006 NBA Finals. Dwyane Wade runs out the clock, stands on the Mavericks logo and hurls the ball in the air. This is all in front of Mavs fans. Dallas wants redemption, no doubt about it. They want redemption for their fans. No, it's not an easy task sweeping the Beast of the East three games in a row, but it's certainly possible if they're up to the challenge. Look for the passion for redemption and the motivation for rewarding the fans to push the Mavs to a Game 3 win.

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