NBA Finals 2011: Jason Terry Backs Up Talk, Helps Mavs Push Heat to the Brink

The Dallas Mavericks looked lifeless midway through the fourth quarter. Their offense went cold, and Miami was running the pick-and-roll to perfection, leading to a flurry of uncovered inside baskets.

When Udonis Haslem made one of those to give the Heat their first second half lead, 95-94 with just over five minutes left, it appeared the wind had gone out of Dallas’s sails. But then, as was the case in Games 2 and 4, they fought back, this time behind the jet wings of Jason Terry.

The veteran guard, nicknamed “Jet,” has been outspoken this series; in the words of Dirk Nowitzki, “he loves to talk and he loves to hear himself talk.” Terry notably said LeBron James couldn’t guard him over the course of a seven-game series.

At the time, that was a terrible thing to say. Surely it would be more fuel for James’ fire and more motivation for Miami. Yet it had no ill effect in Game 5. That’s because Terry backed up his words.

The first half was basketball’s version of the Twilight Zone. Brian Cardinal made an impact offensively and injured Dwyane Wade, colliding with the Heat star and collecting an Academy Award for his flop to the floor. Equally seldom-used Ian Mahinmi was playing meaningful minutes for Dallas, scoring his first points of the playoffs.

Juwan Howard was hitting jumpers for Miami. Mario Chalmers was hitting threes, including a half-court heave just before half. It was strange.

The first half of Game 5 was nonetheless a brutal, enthralling battle that exemplified playoff basketball at its best. It only got better, and more surprises were in store. As Wade received treatment for an injured hip, Mike Miller filled in admirably and proceeded to duel offensively with the ever so pesky Jose Juan Barea.

They made noise in leading their respective teams, but it was Terry who closed out the quarter well for the Mavericks. This wouldn’t be the last quarter he would deliver in either.

James was missing in action again when it mattered, and Dallas once more gave the star a tutorial on how to come up clutch. The Mavs were down three, 100-97, with just over three-and-a-half minutes left. That deficit felt like much more. They weren’t taking good shots, and their defense wasn’t aggressive enough. The crowd was getting concerned. Their team needed a spark.

That’s when Terry lived up to the promise he made.

His three-pointer from the top picked the Mavs right back up, and they didn’t look back. Twelve of the game’s ensuing and final 15 points were scored by Dallas, with the dagger fittingly flowing out of Terry’s right hand.

It came with half a minute remaining. The lead was four, and Miami still had life. The shot clock was dwindling rapidly, and Terry was 27 feet from the basket, guarded loosely by James. He had no choice but to act and do so quickly, so he pulled up, surprising James, and launched. There was the sound of swish, the sound of the crowd’s roar and the sight of Terry’s jet taking flight, flying jubilantly downcourt.

Like the previous four, this game was incredible. So gripping, so many players contributing, so many big shots hit and yet another perplexing disappearance by James. He will be further criticized by the media and fans, but as that inevitably takes place, Dallas rides the Jet to Miami, one win away from the franchise’s first NBA title.