NBA FINALS GAME 5

So here we sit, with a NBA Finals series tied 2-2. A series between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks that has been so entertaining the television ratings are through the roof.

This was suppose to be a very easy series for the Heat. The Big Three superstars were going to dominate and show the world why they were brought together in South beach. Well so far all we have learned are things we already knew about them. Dwayne Wade is spectacular and can score at will. Chris Bosh is a better then average role player, but still just a role player. Lebron James fades in 4th quarters. He did this in Cleveland and he has done this all year in Miami.

We have known that Miami needs a  true point guard, one that can take over a game. For those of you that think Chalmers is that guy, think again. We have also known that the Heat need a big man down low. They play Bosh, Haslem, and Anthony down there which at times is a real liability. We have also known that having these three superstars playing together would take some time to figure out how they are going to gel.

We have learned some things about the Dallas Mavericks in this series. We have learned that they can actually play defense and play it pretty well. Their zone defense has helped hold the high powered offense of the Heat to well below their average. The Mavericks are currently holding the Heat to 89 points per game.


We have learned that Dirk does not have to dominate the entire game in order for Dallas to win. Dirk had a very poor first 3 quarters in game 4, but showed up when it counted, in the 4th quarter. Nowitzki scored 10 points in the 4th quarter of game 4. In the first 3 quarters Dallas got enough help from Terry, Stevenson, Chandler, they could afford to have Dirk have a off shooting night. They could even afford to have Dirk sit out and get some rest, saving the energy for the 4th quarter.

We learned that Rick Carlisle is a really smart coach. The line up change of starting J.J. Barea and to bring Stevenson off the bench was brilliant. Barea's penetrating drives early in the game set up open looks for other Mav players later in the game. Stevenson brought so much needed energy and scoring off the bench, something the Mavs had been lacking in the first 3 games.

Many people have said that in order for the Dallas Mavericks to have a chance to win they must have a hot shooting night. Well we have learned that if they keep playing great zone defense like they have been, they don't need that hot shooting night to win. They can win with defense.

With a healthy Nowitzki and a Lebron James looking to quite all the haters, game 5 should be just as entertaining.

Do you think James will take over in game 5? Do you think by him doing so it will hurt the Heat? Will the Mavs role players show up like they did in game 4? Will Nowitzki have a better shooting night tonight?

I guess we still have alot to learn from this series....Gives your thoughts and answers