2011 NBA Playoffs: Why the Dallas Mavericks Are Far from Done
The Miami Heat took Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals over the Dallas Mavericks.
But the Mavs are far from done in this series.
Dallas can easily rebound to take the next game, which then turns the Finals into at least a best-of-five series.
Here are five reasons why the Mavericks still can come back and win it all.
5. How Long Can the Heat Keep Up This Pace?
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The Miami Heat have been playing unconscious basketball this postseason.
They have only lost one game in each of their three series and have basically cruised to the Finals.
They have a leg up on the Mavericks by winning Game 1, but how much longer can the Heat keep up this torrid pace?
Yes, they are a very talented team, but so are the Mavs.
Dallas will need a fast start in Game 2 to crush some of the Heat’s momentum.
4. Quality Minutes off the Bench
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Though the Heat have a deep team, the Dallas Mavericks have arguably the deepest team in the NBA.
The Mavs will rely on their strong bench to keep them in the game as their starters get some rest.
JJ Barea has the ability to take over a game just like Jason Kidd can.
Jason Terry and Shawn Marion will also play a role in providing quality minutes in Game 2; Terry is always on the floor with the game on the line.
If these high-energy players can wear out Miami, the Heat starters may lose some steam for the final minutes.
3. Jason Kidd
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Despite his age, Jason Kidd still has the vision to set up his teammates for open looks. He’s also averaged close to 10 points per game during the playoffs.
However, it will be his defense the Mavericks will rely on if they plan on taking the series.
Kidd can do his best to shut down either LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, especially since he has done such a good job creating turnovers.
The problem is that the one he isn’t covering has the ability to do serious damage late in the game; Wade had a huge second half in Game 1.
While Kidd can be a game-changer, it will take a total team effort from the Mavs if think they can "take the Heat."
2. Dallas Has a Chip on Their Shoulders
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The Mavericks have to be playing with a chip on their shoulders after losing the 2006 NBA Finals in six games to an upstart Miami Heat team led by the young Dwyane Wade and now recently-retired Shaquille O’Neal.
Though only Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry remain from that Dallas team, the stench of that series still lingers, especially since the Mavs won the first two games before dropping four straight.
Dallas should be out to seek revenge for that defeat.
Who knows? Maybe the Mavs will pull the same stunt Miami pulled off five years ago.
However, Dallas would feel much more comfortable if they won Game 2, then headed back to Dallas tied 1-1.
1. Dirk Nowitzki
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Dirk Nowitzki will need to be the clutch closer he was in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There has never been a player in the NBA with his size who has his shooting ability, so he will need to maximize this value by knocking down clutch shots.
But Nowitzki has to realize he can’t do everything by himself. Dallas has other talented scorers, and if the Heat choose to double Dirk, someone else will be open for a shot.
Though Nowitzki is the centerpiece of the offense, spreading the ball around will cause Dirk to get more good looks since the Heat will be forced to defend other players.
If Nowitzki can lead by example, he will keep the Mavs in this series every step of the way.
