2011 NBA Finals: 5 Reasons the Dallas Mavericks Will Win Game 3

In a crazy turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks erased a 15 point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Miami Heat 95-93 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

With the series tied up at 1-1, the teams now go to Dallas for the next three games of the series.

Since the NBA adopted the 2-3-2 home court format in 1985, the NBA Finals have been tied at 1-1 11 times.  Whoever won Game 3 went on to win the series all 11 times.

Needless to say, Game 3 is critical for both teams.  However, the Mavericks have the edge and should come out victorious.

Here are five reasons why the Mavericks will win Game 3.

5. Free Throws

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - MAY 31: Shawn Marion #0 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a free throw against the Miami Heat in Game One of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on May 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

The Mavericks have been on fire from the charity stripe, going 42-53 in the first two games of the series.

Dirk Nowtizki has especially been great from the free throw line, hitting all 15 of his free throws.

With a lead late in a game, the Mavericks will be able to seal the victory due to their excellent free throw percentage.

4. The Bench

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 02: Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks puses the ball up court against Mike Miller #13 of 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 a

After being outscored 27-17 in Game 1, the Maverick bench came to life in Game 2, outscoring the Heat bench 23-11.

Jason Terry in particular played well, scoring 16 points while going a perfect 6-6 from the line.

The Mavericks bench is deeper than the Heat, and they will once again show that in Game 3.

3. Home Court Advantage

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MAY 25: The scoreboard displays the Dallas Mavericks as the Western Conference Champions as the Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlin

The Mavs have stolen home court advantage from the Heat by winning Game 2, and don’t want to relinquish it so soon.

American Airlines Center was raucous after the Mavs won Game 2 and there wasn’t even a game being played.

On Sunday, look for the Mavs faithful to be loud as they cheer on their hometown team to a victory.

2. Dirk Nowitzki

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 02: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks makes the game-winning shot to put the Mavericks up 95-93 with 3.6 seconds left in the game against Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines

The Mavericks’ superstar was exceptional down the stretch, scoring the final nine points for Dallas.

Not only is Dirk Nowitzki the Mavericks’ best offensive weapon, but he lead the team in rebounds in Game 2.

Expect another great performance from Nowitzki in Game 3, propelling his team to victory.

1. Momentum

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 02: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts behind Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2011 in Miami, Florida

When Dallas played Miami in the 2006 Finals, Dwayne Wade lead a fourth quarter surge in Game 3 to lead the Heat to an improbable victory and cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Three games later, Wade and the Heat were hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy as NBA Champs.

Dallas’ Game 2 comeback resembles the Heat in ’06, and that kind of momentum can work wonders.

The Mavericks role into Game 3 with a lot of confidence, and the Heat still don’t take them seriously.

In his postgame news conference, Dwayne Wade dismissed his taunting of the Mavericks’ bench as a fabrication of the media and that he did no such thing.

However, after Wade held his follow through to put the Heat up by 15, the Mavericks started their comeback to ultimately win the game.

The Heat arrogance, combined with the Maverick confidence, only shifts momentum even more to Dallas’ side.

The Mavericks will continue their hot play from Game 2 to win Game 3 at home on Sunday.