One Win Away

   If the Mavericks HAD to win any game in 2011 NBA Finals, game five was it.
   With a 112-103 victory over the Miami Heat in Dallas, the Mavs did just that. Dallas now has control of the series (3-2) with the finals headed back to Miami for games six and seven which will be on Sunday and Tuesday.
   Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 29 points. Not only did he continue to make clutch shots like he has all series with his crazy foot-work, but Nowitzki also proved that the 102 fever he experienced in game four was completely out of his system.
   What made Dirk's job even easier is that there was production around him.
    Jason Kidd had 13 points and dished out six assists. Kidd did not score in game four. Tyson Chandler had another solid game. After having a double-double in game four, Chandler followed up that performance with 13 points and seven rebounds. Shawn Marion had eight points.
  The games of  J.J. Barea and Jason Terry sealed the deal for the Mavericks game five win. Barea (4-5 from 3) hit big shot after big shot to finish with 17 and Terry turned it on in the fourth (including an unbelievable long 3 late to put the Mavs up seven) and ended up with 21.
   The Defense of Dallas was outstanding. I was astonished with how the team double-teamed LeBron James whenever he was behind the free-throw line the whole game. It was obvious that this bothered him.
  The whole starting line-up for Dallas played strong from start to finish, and with that type of performance the Mavericks deserve to win.
  The Miami Heat's fourth quarter struggles continue. It seems like as the pressure of the game builds up, the worst the team plays. How could any team who plays this way believe it deserve to be champions?
   The Heat should be happy with some parts of the game however.
   LeBron James was a completely different player in game five compared to game four. His presence was actually known. Although James did have a triple-double (17 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists), his game will be summed up by his fourth quarter; two points.  James is close to have a complete four quarter game in this series and maybe its the best thing that for it to happen late in the finals, especially in Miami.
   Chris Bosh also played well with 19 points and 10 boards, but the Heat's attention is focused on Dwayne Wade.
   It rightfully should be. Yes Wade had 23 points and 8 assists, but the focus is on Wade's hip, which got injured in the first quarter. This caused Wade to sit in the locker-room with a trainer twice during the game. For the Heat to win games six and seven Wade has to be healthy.
  Game six could be it for the Heat, but luckily for the team, the game is in Miami. If there is any game for the Heat to win in this series, this game is it. As LeBron said, "Its now or never."