NBA FINALS GAME 3

This series is very similar to a series five years ago, that series involved the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat as well.

There was a team on the brink of being half way to a title, that team was Dallas. Then a late fourth quarter charge by the Heat saved them from going down 3-0 and eventually led them to the NBA title. They ended up winning four in a row.

See the similarities here. A team halfway to a title, a late fourth quarter charge to save a team from going down this time 2-0. The big difference here is this time it is the Dallas Mavericks with all the momentum going forward.

It was Miami's stars that disappeared in game 2. Where was Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in those final seven minutes. Miami had built up a 15 point lead with seven minutes to go, then.. The whole team only made one field goal in the final seven minutes of the game.

Nowitzki stepped up like superstars are suppose to in big games. Nowitzki scored Dallas's final 9 points including the go ahead basket. The entire team play very aggressive defense in those closing minutes. Which is alittle surprising being that it is Miami that is suppose to have the shutdown defense.

Now that is not to say that Dallas played a great game. On the contrary they actually played very poorly for 3 1/2 quarters. They turned the ball over too many times. Jason Kidd and Terry accounted for most of those turnovers. They gave the Heat too many transition points in the first 3 1/2 quarters. It was dunk after dunk for a while there for the Heat.

The Mavericks have the advantage in the half court game, offensively and defensively. On defense when Dallas stay in their zone defense they force Miami to hold the ball way to long and settle for low percentage outside jump shots.  It also help that Bosh has not really been a factor yet. He is only 9-34 in the series. Some of that is due to the defense played on him and some is just poor shooting.

On the offensive side of the ball once the Mavericks get into their halfcourt sets their ball movement is allowing them to get just about any shot they want. Making them is another story. Marion came up big time in game 2 and they will need more of him the rest of the series. Kidd and Terry cannot turn the ball over like they have been.

So now it is said the series has started since a home team has lost. But I believe game 3 may be more important then game 2. If Dallas wins game 3 it will put them in a commanding lead, one I dont think the Heat can overcome. If Miami wins it gives them home court advantage back and the confidence that has been broken back. Game 3 will be pivotal, there is a stat that says in a series that is ties 1-1 the winner of game 3 is 11-0 since the finals switched to the 2-3-2 format.

What do you think? Will the Mavs start closing the door on the Heat? Will the Heat regain home court advantage?