NBA Finals 2011: Four Mavericks That Need to Step Up in the NBA Finals
The Mavericks are down in the finals, but not out.
The Mavs are currently down 2-1 in the series, and have a must-win game coming up tonight.
So far in the playoffs, they've shown that they don't get rattled in big situations or big games. The Mavericks are still very much alive, and could still come back to win the series.
If that's going to happen, here are four players that need to step up in the next few games.
4. Tyson Chandler
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Chandler is vital to the Mavericks defense. He is their most reliable stopper, and needs to step up on the defensive end of the floor.
Chandler's numbers aren't down from the past few series, but the Heat have such a small front line that he should be able to dominate the paint, getting offensive rebounds and putbacks.
Most importantly, Chandler needs to continue to be a physical presence in the paint. It's important for him to set the tone by not letting the Heat get anything easy down low, and it can't hurt for him to dish out some hard fouls every once in a while.
3. Jason Kidd
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Up until the finals, Kidd was playing great basketball. He was putting up good numbers and setting the tone on offense for the Mavericks. He was controlling the tempo, setting up teammates and even knocking down some important shots.
Kidd was helping to slow down the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook, and had played a major part in the Mavs winning the west.
Today, that seems like it was ages ago.
Kidd is averaging eight points and seven assists, but more importantly he isn't setting the tone like he did in previous rounds.
The Mavs need to set the tempo and not allow the Heat to get out in transition. Kidd can help make sure the Heat don't get comfortable on offense, and he needs to,if the Mavs are going to win this series.
2. J.J. Barea
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J.J. Barea has gone cold.
After emerging as an offensive spark off the bench earlier in the playoffs, Barea has become ineffective.
He's averaging a miserable four points per game, and has shot 5-23 during the series so far.
Barea needs to get going on offense, and he needs to start helping pick up the scoring load. His penetration is the key to his offensive game, and while he's been getting into the paint with success, he needs to finish at the basket like he did in previous rounds.
1. Jason Terry
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The Jet has been awful in this series for several reasons.
LeBron has been guarding Terry in crunch time, and his size keeps Terry from getting around, or shooting over him. This all but eliminates Terry on the offensive end.
Terry needs to be the fourth-quarter scorer that he was in the past for the Mavericks, and he needs to be the second offensive option Dirk has needed all series long.
If Terry can't score over LeBron, then the Mavs should start running the offense through him, setting screens and getting him more open looks that can help him get his confidence back.
If they can't get Terry going, the Mavericks are going down.
