NBA Finals 2011: Mavs Tie It Up 1-1 in Front of a Partial Miami Crowd

Despite the comfortable lead the Heat enjoyed during most of the game at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, the Mavericks may have known what their game plan was going to be in the late stages of the game. Perhaps Nowitzki! Nowitzki! Nowitzki!

Never a team to wonder what their next move is, this veteran Mavs squad had the patience, faith, fortitude and commitment to each other on the floor.

The way a well-meshed team behaves, we’re sure Rick Carlisle instructed his team on the obstacles to reach this pinnacle of sport, the NBA Finals 2011.

While that will be meted out over the upcoming weekend into next week, Carlisle’s team seems to enjoy flying under the radar. Very early on in this game, we saw what an Erik Spoelstra team had in mind?

Lots of defense and helping out was on the menu this night. Offensive rebounds, conversion’s and finishing off at the basket were some things thought for this youthful Miami Heat team. Count Wade, James and Bosh present in this effort.

What the Heat didn’t get from their three man nucleus, the bench was up and ready at a moments notice. See Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony and Mike Miller.

The Mavs started to knock some of the rust off during their early goings from their day of rest, as Nowitzki collected his first two points off an assist by Jason Kidd.

Take a little of that rust off for the Heat too. Being at home in front of a captive audience, it was one of the nucleus who shone through this 12 man unit.  

The Heat we’re cleaning up on the glass and were especially attentive to loose balls and errant passes. Tyson Chandler got fouled first for the Mavs and converted two from the line.

Shawn Marion was the starter/bench player MVP for the Mavs tonight who made a nice impact, unrivaled by any of his mates on the bench.

It seemed that the early goings of the game we’re designed as a getting to know you period. Neither team wanted to jump right in.

Shawn Marion was the standout in quarter one. He converted on a two-point field goal early. As for Nowitzki, he tallied 24 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.

Dwyane Wade scored the most points for the Heat with 36, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Nowitzki had 11 rebounds, four assists and one block.

Although each team had their woes with shooting in the first quarter, the clock continued to run, as did the players in search of breakthrough performances.

The Mavs' Tyson Chandler could be a best sixth man as well, contributing both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Chandler got fouled in the first quarter and knocked down both shots from the foul line for the Mavs.

With 8:56 remaining in the first quarter, DeShawn Stevenson hit from three, collecting a nine to four advantage for his team. Stevenson made three steals on the game with nine points and three rebounds. 

Jason Kidd got involved early also, both from the passing end and with the amoeba style defense, plus knocking down a three-pointer. This is where we first see Mike Bibby for the Heat in action. Son of former NBA sixth man Henry Bibby, Mike Bibby knows the ropes.

At this point, the Mavs were moving the ball in and out, from around the paint and the perimeter of the basket. Bibby scored a three with an equal LeBron James’ field goal.

D-Wade saw plenty of action and when there was none, he created it himself. He drove baseline at 5:53 remaining in the first quarter for a dunk. Rick Carlisle called a timeout and the Mavs seemed a little listless after the coaches corner.

The Mavs may have seemed a little sloppy after the next media timeout, but soon regained their composure. In quarter two, it was 39-34 Heat.

Nowitzki may have gone 3-for-11 in the first half, but his body language showed nothing but hope. Despite Miami leading in every statistical category during the game, how could the game have gotten away from them?

For those who say it’s the nucleus from the Big Three, we have learned this season to quash that childlike answer for a team that has led the league and enjoyed their chance at a championship.

In quarter three, the Heat reminded us of the Running Rebels from UNLV. And there was at least two members who saw action at the University in the game Thursday night. Do you know which ones?

The Heat started to catch on at the offensive end with rebounds and put-backs. Chandler fouled, and the Heat took one of two from the foul line.

The Mavs were following suit as they picked up on their defensive efforts from rebounding and second chance opportunities. In the third quarter, Dallas called timeout.

After three turnovers, we can almost make out what Carlisle said on the timeout. Like Coach Scott Brooks of the Thunder would have said, “Don’t ever say I wish I played better, and, fight now or fight with yourself later.”

After three turnovers, the Mavs inched closer, Heat up by just five. The Mavs took a defensive stand on a cue from the Heat, as Dirk Nowitzki put in a double-pump jumper off the glass.

D-Wade retorted with an inside the lane dunk bringing the crowd to its feet. Tyson Chandler showed up for the Heat also, converting two foul shots and collecting offensive rebounds. With great verve and effort, the Heat we’re making a run at a 2-0 series lead.

The stifling defense played in this game with Shawn Marion, and his rejection of a Chris Bosh underneath dunk attempt, was palatable. Mike Bibby also hit another three with 5:00 remaining in the third quarter. We’re still at a five-point advantage for the Heat.

Now we see the full bench for Carlisle as he platoons in Brian Cardinal for Dirk Nowitzki, the 6’8” 44^th overall pick from Purdue.

Miami still maintains a five-point lead, as Bibby hits another three, fed by Wade. Slowly the lead begins to inflate again with a 69-61 lead.

Nowitzki stays on the bench for a few and comes back in to make another impact. Dirk knocks one down from the inside paint, while Terry gets to the line with 2:00 minutes remaining in the third quarter. We’re at 71-65, Heat lead.

Jason Kidd makes an attempt at a layup, which was followed in by Tyson Chandler. Going 5-for-8 from the field, Bibby had 14 points. With the third quarter ending, Jason Terry knocks down a shot again.

As we start the fourth quarter, Wade was the first to go to the line. He makes both shots, and moves down the court for a fast break as Jason Terry prevents the shot with a foul. We’re at 88-77 Heat.

Dwayne Wade surfaces again for a three. Terry shows up big next during this fourth quarter run, and was happy to have made a great impact. Terry knocks down another three and Bosh next misses his shot and the Mavs collect the rebound.

After the next media timeout, the score gets cut slightly with about eight minutes remaining in regulation. Marion, the spark plug comes in for a lay up.

Marion is playing both ends of the court beautifully. With 4:10 remaining in the game, LeBron James gets to the line after being fouled by Tyson Chandler.

Soon Jason Kidd knocks down a three from a Nowitzki assist, and Dallas has pulled back all the way now. With 24 seconds remaining, the Mavs have the ball.

Mario Chalmers ties the game at 93 and the Mavs with their last possession of the game, score via a Nowitzki jumper to go up by two.

Wade takes an inbound pass with four seconds remaining and misses from half-court to seal the victory from the Mavs.