NBA Finals 2011: Mavs Stick Around for the Final Bell and Come out Victorious

Coming out strong from “Go” was the Mavericks 7'0” star, Dirk Nowitzki, knocking down his first three shots in succession, with Shawn Marion starting to move into the picture for support.

With his first defensive rebound, Marion woke up the Heat, who accepted a turnover from the Mavs. Meanwhile, Tyson Chandler collected a first rebound for Dallas on Tuesday night.

Marion was playing excellent defense, specifically that reserved for LeBron James. Dwayne Wade with his first offensive rebound, converted on a reverse layup with 5:51 remaining in the first quarter.

With Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki righting the ship early, the Heat may have known they were in for a tussle. One of the main factors was defense again, which is one of the primary themes of this series.

Backing down his opponent, Marion converted a layup. Chandler added his two with a thundering dunk, while Jason Terry followed through with an assertive move for a rebound with a running layup.

The Heat were keeping it close with their men off the bench. With rebounding by the Heat's Mario Chalmers, they were a sure bet to keep it close, 17-16 Heat, with 5:51 left in the first quarter.

Despite their 1/11 shooting, the big three of the Heat were mixing in stops and starts from the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The Mavs had five turnovers at the midpoint of the first quarter.

With 2:01 left in the first, Terry went to the basket strong and got fouled. He converted ½ from the foul line. Now with 1:13 remaining in the first, Mike Miller was called for a foul.

The score was 21-19 in favor of the Mavericks. Udonis Haslem entered for the Heat and collected a foul for his defensive prowess on the floor. With the first quarter ended the score was 21-21.

Chris Bosh had a significant impact on the game for the Heat, as he knocked down a shot from the field. Miami up by two points. JJ Barea struggled a little bit this game, but his tenacious defense and scrappy nature made his presence in this game felt for all things not counted.

Mike Miller hit on a three pointer with 10:00 minutes remaining in the first half. A timeout was called at this juncture of the game by Rick Carlisle. Dwayne Wade clearly was making a big impact on this game with muted tones and quiet leadership, added to his 10 points.

With Chris Bosh’s big shots and collecting one of two from the foul line, he was there for the Heat on big occasions. With defense comes a demanding focus on fouls given and in the penalty phase.

With the Mavs down by seven, more piled on with a Deshawn Stevenson three for the Heat. Meanwhile, JJ Barea chased down a rebound and Chandler drew another foul by Chalmers.

With a dunk by Bosh, assisted by Chalmers, the score crept back to 30-29 Heat. Bosh even went so far as to shoot over Nowitzki. There have been at least 10 changes in leads during this first half of play.

Dirk collected a defensive rebound, while Terry took a ill informed shot which produced a turnover. Bosh was 7/13 field goals in the first half and was having a career night while the Heat were leaning on him for a great performance this night.

Shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson hit on a three, equal to his three for three, or nine point flurry. Jason Terry got an offensive rebound and converted on a shot, Mavs by two.

With the Heat down, Eric Spoelstra calls T/O for his star studded team. The radio broadcasters of Mike Tirico, Dr. Jack Ramsay and Hubie Brooks mention that neither team played zone defense today.

Marion started to light up the boards in the low post and get the conversions for the Mavericks. Wade retorted with a shot off the glass, while Joel Anthony committed his second foul. We're at 42-40 Mavs.

Broadcaster Rick Bucher mentioned that Spoelstra said in the T/O, “the most important thing on loose ball passes we have to come up with the ball or were sunk.” Going into half time it's 47-45 Miami.

With a 47-45 Heat lead after half, Joel Anthony gets a rebound, with a total of eight defensive, and ten offensive pickups. The Heat have eight turnovers. And for Tyson Chandler you have 4/6 offensive rebounds.

Dirk Nowtzki started to shine once again on the defensive end which translates on the offensive end as well. Were now tied at 47, with 10:35 remaining in the 3^rd period. LeBron James accepts his 3^rd foul.

Tyson Chandler, who continues to play all out collects a third foul. Bosh converts on both his shots from the line. He has twenty points, the most from any player at this juncture.

Next Wade outlets a pass to LeBron who converts on a dunk. Then Barea makes an impact on the offensive end with a layup, while Bosh knocks one down from the paint. The score is 59-58 Miami.

With Tyson's MVP status for this game, he's made nine baskets and ten rebounds. Center Brian Cardinal gets platooned off the bench for Coach Rick Carlisle and Dirk Nowitzki.

Barea, ever the scrapper gives great effort and brings a special toughness to the game. Marion has eight points now, who are now down by three. Dwayne Wade on the other end fast breaks for a dunk.

With 2:30 remaining in the 3^rd period, Wade creates two more opportunities with back-to-back dunks. Carlisle calls another time out with the score 67-64 for Miami. Juwan Howard is now platooned.

If it's not Bosh, it's Wade with twenty points on the night. Heat lead is by four. So far Wade went 12/25, and in the third quarter alone had twelve points. Now we move onto the 4^th quarter.

Mike Miller shows up in the fourth quarter with a three pointer while Dallas in down by seven. Former University of Florida standout Udonis Haslem contributes with a mid range jumper and the score is 74-65 Miami.

Jason Terry chips in off the boards, and the Heat are still up by 7. Eric Spoelstra takes another T/O, and we're at 9:22 left, with the score 76-73 Miami. 

Wade is assisted by LeBron and scores, Miami by five. With 7:00 minutes remaining, Nowitzki gets fouled and makes both shots. The shot clock buzzes for the Heat on a few occasions.

With the change of possession, Terry gets blocked while Chandler follows it up. Haslem also blocks a shot, as does Chandler. Great defense is displayed by the Mavs and Heat, who are each focusing on outside shots.

Mike Miller picks up the bound off the glass and with another Jason Terry rebound and basket, Chandler accepts the ball from him, and soon there is a 2 point lead by Dallas.

Mario Chalmers mixes it up with a rebound and assists. Jason Kidd fouls LeBron with thirty seconds remaining in the regulation.

Dirk Nowitzki lays the ball in and with thirteen seconds remaining, Dallas by one 84-83. LeBron fouls Terry with the ball, and he converts both.

Now with a three point Dallas lead, we conclude with a half court shot which is missed by the Heat, game 86-83 Dallas Mavericks and the series picks up with a tie at 2-2 in the best of seven series.