5 Keys for the Miami Heat to Defeat the NBA Champion Mavericks on Christmas Day

A bitter finish for Miami in the playoffs, sure, but one a talented Heat team must learn from. After coming just two games short of completing their goal of an NBA championship, the South Beach Ballers were ousted by an underdog Mavericks team.

A new year brings new opportunities, and Miami needs to show what they have learned from the loss. This is easily the most important regular season game the Heat will play all year, and a win will only boost the confidence for the long haul.

Miami still has the talented Big Three intact, as well as some solid role players, but progression as a team is what matters most.

How will the Heat fare against the NBA champions?

If they follow these keys, they will have a much better showing than last season's disappointing ending.

Adjust to the Zone

Last year, Dallas slapped a zone defense on Miami that they could not break. A simple defensive scheme, yes, but one that can haunt a team if they do not adjust.

While it was mostly the pressure that made LeBron James crack in fourth quarters, the Mavericks do not get enough credit in how well they defended him down the stretch. James was forced to go out of his comfort zone and didn't succeed in doing so.

This is where LeBron must show his improvement in the post area and help create opportunities for other scorers.

Don't Get Torched by Role Players

The Mavericks have lost some key pieces that helped them bring home a trophy last season, but they have filled the holes nicely in the process.

The aspect of Lamar Odom against the Miami big men is quite scary. Not only can he stretch the floor, but he can crash the offensive boards to create second-chance opportunities, a trouble area for the Heat last season.

Vince Carter shouldn't present a huge problem for James and Wade, as he is a shell of what he used to be, but don't count him out to hit some big shots when called upon.

The familiar faces like Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd were extremely solid when needed in the NBA Finals, and Miami must put a stop to that.

Dirk Nowitzki is going to score; that's just what he does. He's one of the hardest players in NBA history to guard, but shutting out his help will only put more pressure on the German star.

A more fluent, strategic defense should be a difference maker in containing these players and keeping the game close. The addition of Shane Battier to help guard wing players will only help Miami's case, but who else will step up to play lockdown defense?

Move the Ball

I'm pretty sure I wasn't hallucinating, but it seems as if Miami just didn't move the ball around offensively last season. Too often, Heat players were guilty of standing in the corners and around the perimeter, which really hampered just what the team was capable of doing.

Miami would greatly benefit from involving the bulked-up Chris Bosh more in the game plan. He's got the quickness to drive past most power forwards in the NBA and possesses the jumpshot needed to be a complete offensive threat.

Not only can he score, but putting him around the free-throw line will only open up driving lanes for Wade or James, or cause defenses to pay further attention to him.

Other players must step up as well, including guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole. They have to help involve the whole Heat team offensively and knock down spot-up jumpers dished from driving players.

While Joel Anthony is pretty much worthless around the rim, he's an athletic player who should be used to set screens and try opening up lanes for Wade and James. Standing around the paint won't be the best thing for Anthony, as he can't finish regularly, so he much contribute in other ways.

Role players must step up and help with the pressure. Helping the offense become more fluent is a major start.

Run-and-Gun

One huge advantage Miami has is young athletic defenders who can create turnovers. Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and LeBron James are all capable of picking pockets and pushing the pace for fastbreak opportunities.

While Jason Kidd is one of the best ball-handlers in the NBA, it's not often he will turn the ball over. Miami must take advantage of these chances, as well as other loose balls, and run Dallas out of the building.

Put the Past Behind Them

Dallas simply outplayed Miami last year in the NBA Finals. They showed better chemistry and used veteran leadership with smart play to upend the Heat.

That's last year.

Miami is a team built to win now and must play to do so. There is no better way of testing how much you have improved over the offseason than facing the NBA champions on opening day.

If anything, seeing the Mavericks raise a banner should only make Miami realize just what they were capable of, not how close they were to hoisting it themselves.

The ring ceremony.

The crowd.

The pressure.

Look for the Heat to remain poised and put things things aside to achieve victory and avoid another slow start like last season.