Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Dallas Mavericks will raise their championship banner on Sunday afternoon when they host the Miami Heat in a 2011 NBA Finals rematch that will be the marquee game of the league's Christmas schedule.

The Heat are determined to avenge their loss to the Mavericks and start another journey towards an NBA championship.

The amount of public dislike for the Heat may be less at the start of this season than there was last year, but that doesn't mean their every win and loss will be any less scrutinized.

Dallas has not been mentioned among the title favorites by many experts, who are mostly picking the Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder to reach the Finals in June.

The Mavericks will relish being disrespected, and it will be fun to watch them defend their first title ever.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this awesome matchup.

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

When: Sunday, Dec. 25 at 2:30 p.m. EST

Watch: ABC

Listen: ESPN Radio

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Betting Line: Heat -4.5 (According to Betonline.com)

Key Injuries

Mavericks shooting guard Jason Terry is questionable for Sunday's game with an illness.

Heat forward Shane Battier is questionable for Sunday's game with a quadricep and injury, respectively.

What's at Stake?

For the Heat they have the opportunity to prove they can beat the Mavericks on a national stage and that they are ready to focus on this year's title quest and forget about the disappointment of last season.

Miami will also get a look at their bench and many players will be playing for minutes and to keep their spot in the rotation.

For Dallas they have to prove that despite their age they can be a title contender for another season. Stars like Jason Kidd, Lamar Odom, and Dirk Nowitzki are on the wrong side of 30 and it will be interesting to see how they hold up during a shortened season.

A win for the Mavericks would help shut up their critics and give them the confidence to make another deep postseason run.

What They're Saying

Heat star Dwyane Wade talked about his friendship with LeBron James recently, via the Washington Post:

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“I don’t think many players that have the similar games as we have or have done the things that we did in the league can come together this fast and make it work,” Wade said. “That communication is there. I don’t mind him saying something to me. I don’t mind when I have to say something to him. We know how to make it work.”

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Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle spoke about how the team will be different because they don't have the same team that won the NBA Finals last season, via the Chicago Tribune:

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"When you don't have five guys back, who were all significant guys, we have to reformulate this thing," said Carlisle. "But the guys coming in are veteran guys, guys who have played in big games.

"These guys have been in the wars and know what it is about."

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Player to watch for the Heat: LeBron James

When is LeBron James not the player on the Heat to watch? Once James gets going on the court he will dominate the NBA like usual but it will be interesting to watch how he plays against the elite teams, especially during the fourth quarter.

James struggled in the fourth quarter during the Mavericks in the Finals last season and will be looking to come out on Sunday and put in a very strong performance to set the tone for a season that is so important for him.

Player to watch for the Mavericks: Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom was traded to the Mavericks from the Los Angeles Lakers for practically nothing, and his addition to the team brings a new versatility to the lineup.

Odom can defend three different positions and can also bring the ball up and be a playmaker. Furthermore, he can shoot from the outside and stretch the floor for his teammates.

He will give the Mavericks a lot of different options and will certainly be a player to watch for Dallas this season.

Key Matchup: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Chris Bosh

The matchup at power forward will be a fun one to watch and whoever has the better game will lead his team to victory.

Chris Bosh is a very good player and after a season on South Beach he will be more comfortable with the Heat this year.

He won't have to worry about fitting in, which will allow him to focus on basketball. Expect Bosh to have a big game against Nowitzki and give his team a huge boost in the paint.

Prediction: Heat win 87-80

The Heat will win this game and spoil the Mavericks' championship party on Sunday night and let the country know they are the team to beat in the NBA this season.

Miami is a team on a mission this year and Dallas will be their first victim. An athletic and talented Heat squad will be highly motivated to dominate the Mavericks and they will do so led by LeBron James, who will lead the Heat with a triple-double performance.