2011 NBA Finals: 5 Reasons Why Miami Heat Will Still Be Partying on South Beach
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh promised many NBA titles for the Miami Heat after joining forces this past summer.They are now two games away from starting the dynasty they said they would.
It has been a strange NBA Finals thus far. The Heat seemed to have dominated play with their athleticism, defense and transition buckets, yet the series is tied at two.
Dallas has done a magnificent job of hanging around and making plays down the stretch. Miami has done an equally poor job of closing out games, which was one of their problems in the regular season.
The Heat are still in a good position heading into Game 5.
Here are five reasons why Miami will still be partying on South Beach when this series is all said and done.
No 5: The Heat Have Outplayed the Mavericks
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The Miami Heat have led the majority of the series. If it wasn't for two great fourth quarters by the Mavericks, this series could be 3-1 or 4-0.
Heat fans should feel both comfortable and nervous. They have played great through three quarters but have tailed off in the fourth in both of their losses.
They are the better basketball team in my opinion. Give the Mavericks credit for being a resilient bunch, but the Heat must be able to put them away when given the opportunity.
When watching this series, it doesn't feel like the Mavericks have what it takes to win a game. They have survived two games so far, but usually the better team wins in a seven-game series.
No 4: Home Court Advantage
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This series could potentially make it to seven games. Home teams in Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs win about 80 percent of the time.
Game 5 of a series in any sport is arguably the most important game. Game 5 of this series will be extremely important.
Dallas would have two cracks at the Heat in Miami if they win Game 5. If they Heat win, the series could be over in six.
If the Heat do lose Game 5, expect the series to go to seven games. Seeing the percentages of Game 7 at home, most people would take the Heat to win the championship, and I would be one of them.
No 3: Too Many Weapons
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LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are too tough for any team in the NBA to handle. Each player can put up 25-plus points a night. How many does Dallas have?
That simply doesn't win games, but it sure does help. Each player knows that they don't have to be the guy every night, but Dirk Nowitzki knows that he can't afford to have an off-night. Of course, the Mavericks could win, but the chances are slim if Nowitzki is off.
That security allows Miami's big three to play more freely.
Wade is putting up 30 points per game.
James is putting up 17 points per game.
Bosh is putting up 18 points per game.
James scored eight points in Game 4 in Dallas. He won't have another poor performance similar to that in the rest of the series.
Other than Nowitzki, Dallas is missing another explosive scorer, and it is visible. They have too many inconsistent players.
No 2: The Eye on the Prize
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Winning a championship is the lone reason these three linked up last summer. They promised many championships in the future, and this would be the first step in backing up their statements.
I can't see the Heat getting this far and watching the Mavericks celebrate on their home court.
This team is too motivated to get this far just to see it slip away.
No 1: Heat Are Simply Better
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It may not be as clear to some people, but to me, it has been. They have blown fourth quarter leads, choked in some cases and haven't executed down the stretch which has resulted in a tie in the series.
Dallas doesn't have enough explosive scorers to defeat the Heat. Miami has three legitimate 25-plus point scorers in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh; the Mavericks have just one in Dirk Nowitzki.
As much as I would like to see the Mavericks win this series because I feel they have built a team the right way, I don't see it happening.
