Dallas Mavericks Outshoot Miami Heat in High Scoring Game 5
The Dallas Mavericks came out like a hot tamale. They hit shot after shot. The Miami Heat hung around and even had a one-point lead after the first quarter.
Dallas out shot the Heat throughout the whole game. Dwyane Wade suffered a hip contusion in the first quarter that took him out of the game for an extended period of time during the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter.
Even with the Miami Heat's biggest playmaker of the series out, the Heat's bench stepped up and kept the game close.
The first quarter ended with a Mario Chalmer's shot put-style half-court buzzer-beater. You could feel that this game was going to be a high-scoring affair. For crying out loud, Chalmer's had 12 points at halftime.
He certainly has stepped up in this series.
Dallas went into the locker room at halftime up by three points.
Coming out for the second half Dwyane Wade stayed in the locker room to receive further treatment from the Heat medical staff. Game 5 was the most offensively-balanced game the Heat have had in the Finals. Usually a night like tonight Dallas would be the one going to the locker room after the game, crestfallen.
The Miami Heat played a solid game. Defense was a little shaky but their offense started to click. Shooting 52.9 percent from the field, 40 percent from downtown, 80.9 percent from the charity stripe, and scoring 103 points would be a welcomed box score for any coach.
Oh, did I mention their bench had 40 points? Yet they still lost.
LeBron James did not have a blockbuster game like some expected. He played a well-rounded game, earning his first Finals triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Miami needed that breakout offensive game.
Miami out-rebounded Dallas by 10 also. The biggest difference in this game was the Dallas Mavericks' shooting behind the arc.
They were a gaudy 68.4 percent from three-point land. That is an unbelievable number. Almost 70 percent from the three-point line? Are you kidding me?
Not only did they shoot lights out, but it was timely shooting as well. It seemed every time Miami tried to push and started to piece together a run, the Dallas Mavericks would come down the court and hit a trey.
Give credit to Coach Carlisle. He has made some gutsy decisions in these NBA Finals and they are starting to pay off.
Starting JJ Barea has seemed to ignite the Mavs offense. They move the ball better, force Miami to rotate more feverishly, and are starting to get better looks on the perimeter. Barea's slashing ability and his 4-5 three-point shooting performance killed any comeback the Heat could muster.
Jason Kidd also caught fire behind the line shooting 3-5 behind the arc. Dallas could have thrown up shots from Fort Worth and made them in Game 5.
The Miami Heat should not hit the panic button just yet. Dallas must still go back to South Florida and prove they can win in what will certainly be an electric atmosphere. Except there is a troublesome trend developing in the fourth quarter.
Miami either takes the lead or holds the lead half way through the fourth quarter and then it's like they have amnesia. They have regressed to the regular season where they become perplexed in the last four to five minutes of the game.
I do not know how to describe what's going on there. LeBron turns into LeGone. Wade puts in his usual effort but cannot seem to finish. Chris Bosh has had his chances to knock down open shots or nail free throws in a crucial moment.
Their defense has been suspect as well. Give Dallas credit. They may not do everything right down the stretch, but they have learned to take what is given to them. That includes making clutch free throws.
Miami should push this series to seven, but if they keep playing the way they have in the fourth quarter throughout this series their dream first season will have a rude awakening. Someone needs to step up down the stretch for the Heat.
Otherwise, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry will complete their revenge from 2006.
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