2011 NBA Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks

[pegasus]

I see Dallas stealing game 1 and losing the second. I expect them to go back to Miami with a 3-2 lead, and hopefully they can close it out in game 6.

[LA_Showtime]

I've changed my mind. Dallas in 6 or 7.

[blacknapalm]

whoever wins the first road game takes it all. it's interesting that miami hasn't lost at home and dallas hasn't lost on the road since april. something has to give. it's disappointing butler most likely won't play this series. he made things uncomfortable for lebron in the regular season. anyway, here's to a good series

[MavsPoke]

Dallas is so good on the perimeter and that's part of why they are here and there is nobody better at defending the perimeter than miami

Dallas is shooting 38.8% 3pt. Miami allows 38.5 % 3pt shooting.

Miami is shooting 32.2 % 3pt. Dallas allowing 26.2% 3pt shooting.

Dallas is making 66 more three's than their opponents good for 198 point differential.

[King Lebron LBJ]

I've changed my mind. Dallas in 6 or 7.

How you go from Miami in 5 to Dallas in 6 or 7? more so when you mentioned Miami having 3 out of the 4 best players in the series.

Picking Dallas is fair enough but whats with the sudden change?

[creepingdeath]

I've changed my mind. Dallas in 6 or 7.

Attaboy.

[LA_Showtime]

How you go from Miami in 5 to Dallas in 6 or 7? more so when you mentioned Miami having 3 out of the 4 best players in the series.

Picking Dallas is fair enough but whats with the sudden change?

I thought I said Miami in 6.

I think Dallas' offense is going to give Miami's defense problems. The Mavericks aren't the most talented offensive team, but they're arguably the smartest. They run their offense, and usually get good shots.

They've also got one of the best benches in the league, size and athleticism up front, and Dirk.

Either way, it should be a fun series.

[DMAVS41]

I thought I said Miami in 6.

I think Dallas' offense is going to give Miami's defense problems. The Mavericks aren't the most talented offensive team, but they're arguably the smartest. They run their offense, and usually get good shots.

They've also got one of the best benches in the league, size and athleticism up front, and Dirk.

Either way, it should be a fun series.

I have Mavs in 7.

I want 7 games of this series. The playoffs have been great, but they've been short.

I want 6 quality games and then an epic game 7 with Dirk and Lebron/Wade going at in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

And I'll take Dirk in that scenario.

Mavs in 7.

[King Lebron LBJ]

I have Mavs in 7.

I want 7 games of this series. The playoffs have been great, but they've been short.

I want 6 quality games and then an epic game 7 with Dirk and Lebron/Wade going at in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

And I'll take Dirk in that scenario.

Mavs in 7.

Thats the thing it's amazing how short the series were for both teams. None of Miami's series went past 5 games. Dallas got taken to 6 in round one but swept in round two and won in 5 in the conference finals.

Normally you would expect at least one of the finals teams to have had to struggle to pull through.

Miami obviously went through close games but closing all the series in 5 shows how well they have closed in the playoffs this year.

[cteach111]

most people just want the Mavs to win rather than actually believe they'll win. It's kind of pathetic really.

Consider me one of those people

I will continue to hold on to the notion that this is the first true elite team that Miami will be facing this postseason. All the other teams fell off the cliff.

[LA_Showtime]

most people just want the Mavs to win rather than actually believe they'll win. It's kind of pathetic really.

Consider me one of those people

I want the Heat to win, but I believe Dallas will win. Actually, i could care less who wins, either way great players are going to get a legacy boost. I know people like to talk about Wade/LeBron/Dirk, but Bosh, Kidd, and Terry will also dramatically improve their stocks.

[MavsPoke]

I keep seeing posts and articles by sports writers that claiming that the Miami Heat has a really good perimeter defense.

Miami is 14th in 3pt% defense in the playoffs at 38.5 opp 3pt %.
Dallas is 1st in 3pt% defense in the playoffs at 26.2 opp 3pt %.

Dallas is 3rd in 3pt% offense in the playoffs at 38.5%.
Miami is 9th in 3pt% offense in the playoffs at 32.2%.

Where are the Heat fans and writers coming up with the claim that the Heat are great at perimeter defense. I'm not seeing it. Only the Knicks and the Lakers were worse. The Knicks because of DanandTony. The Lakers because the Mavs took a dump on them and destroyed their 3pt defensive numbers.

Miami's FG% defense is 2nd in the playoffs at 41.9% which is really good. But the 3pts percentage numbers belie the claim of an elite perimeter defense.

[thomaspynchon]

The key to this series will be Tyson Chandler--he has an enormous advantage at the position and I expect a lot of offensive boards, tip ins, tips outs, and extra possessions for Dallas.

[Eat Like A Bosh]

Can't wait till tonight!

[brandonman]

I have a nice wager on my hands, I have 5 to 1 odds that the Mavericks take this series back to Dallas with at least one win.

I like my chances.