2011 NBA Finals: 5 Ways Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks Can Tie
After a long, hard-fought battle in Game 1, the Dallas Mavericks fell short to a Miami Heat fourth-quarter run.
Now that they've gotten a feel for their high-power offense, coach RIck Carlisle must devise a game plan for success.
What areas must the Mavs capitalize on in order for Dirk to get his first ring?
More Pick-and-Rolls for J.J. Barea
1 of 6
In the series against Oklahoma City, Barea killed the Thunder running pick-and-rolls with Tyson Chandler, Nowitzki and Shawn Marion. His ability to penetrate the lane and make the correct decision at the basket make him a deadly point guard in the NBA.
Against Miami, Barea didn't run as many pick-and-rolls and found himself putting up contested jumpers and layups.
He's an integral part of the team, and in order for the to be successful in the series, he will have to pick up his production. Barea scored two points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field with no free-throw attempts and no 3-point attempts.
He must be more efficient if his team is going to win.
Dirk Needs HELP!
2 of 6
As Jesus-like as Nowitzki may be, he absolutely cannot win on his own. Especially now that he's got a torn tendon in his left middle finger, the other Mavericks need to step up now more than ever.
Nowitzki was the only player on his team to score more than 16 points in Game 1. The Mavericks bench scored a mere 17 points, and Shawn Marion was the only other player with a mentionable performance: 16 points and 10 rebounds.
If Dallas has hopes of winning a single game in this series, the other players are going to have to put in some effort. Yes, the Miami Heat defense is rather impenetrable, but if the Mavs can't find a way to score, they will not win.
The Veterans Need to Get It Going
3 of 6
Jason Kidd hasn't been a reliable source of scoring since he hit his early 30s, but his three turnovers last night were extremely uncharacteristic.
He knocked down three 3s, but the Hall of Fame-bound point guard needs to set his teammates up a little better if he wants a championship ring. He's done it his whole career; why choose the biggest stage of them all to choke?
Jason Terry is Dallas' second premier scorer.
Coming off the bench, Terry averaged 15 points per game in the regular season and 17 in the playoffs before Game 1. His 12 points against Miami were not nearly enough to put Dallas over the hump.
"Jet" is a deadly shooter that can kill you from anywhere on the court. But shooting a mere 3-of-10 from the field will not help the Mavericks win a championship. He's got to pick up his production if he wants to get his revenge over the Heat for 2006.
Lock Down Dwyane Wade or LeBron James
4 of 6
There's a reason that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are called the Big Three. They scored over 70 percent of their team's points throughout the season.
If Dallas wants to have a chance at winning, it needs to hold one of the three to under 15 points.
LeBron is undoubtedly going to get his, Wade has been on fire in the late stages lately and Chris Bosh is a consistent 20-and-9 or -10 guy. Maybe Marion can take LeBron out of his element? Or possibly DeShawn Stevenson can lock down D-Wade? In their only loss to the Chicago Bulls, Bosh scored 30 but Wade and James scored a collective 32 points.
Maybe Dallas should follow suit? Let Chris Bosh get his and send the double on the Bigger Two?
Give Dirk Some Space and Let Him Work
5 of 6
Nowitzki is the best power forward in the NBA. He can shoot around you, over you and through you. He can put the ball on the floor and take you to the hole. He's shooting 93 percent from the fre-throw line in the playoffs and an incredible 51 percent from 3-point range.
Miami plays stifling defense, there's no doubt about that, but having guards bring their man to Dirk does not help at all.
Give Nowitzki the ball in the high post and clear out.
There is no way Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem or any other Miami big man can guard him one-on-one. Sure he's got a torn tendon, but let's not forget that Kobe Bryant played last season with a broken finger and still won a championship.
The Mavs need to get their best player the ball and let him work. He only took seven shots in the first half of Game 1. That is not enough.
Mavericks Win in Seven Games
6 of 6
Anyone who has watched a playoff series in any sport knows that a Game 1 win means absolutely nothing.
I predict Dallas will come back stronger than ever and win a championship in front of that rowdy Miami crowd.
The series will be physical, energetic and exciting, but that's what makes basketball one of the greatest sports ever.
Dallas in seven.
