2011 NBA Finals Schedule: Mavs Head Home For Three Games In Dallas

The Mavericks are leaving Miami having earned a 1-1 split, and stealing home court advantage.They can now win this series without even having to go back to Miami. Here is the rest of the series schedule, starting with Game 3 on Sunday.

Game 3, Heat at Mavericks, Sunday, 7, ABC

Game 4, Heat at Mavericks, Tuesday, 8, ABC

Game 5, Heat at Mavericks, Thursday, 8, ABC

Game 6*, Mavericks at Heat, Sunday, 7, ABC

Game 7*, Mavericks at Heat, Tuesday, 8, ABC

* = if necessary

You'll hear a lot about this before the game starts, but the Mavericks are going to be in a little bit of a disadvantage with the way that the Finals are set up. It's incredibly difficult to win three games in a row against a team as good as Miami, which means that conventional wisdom is on the Mavs dropping at least one of these games at home, which means that they'll have home court advantage in the series once again. But they still have the momentum, and the ability to put this one away at home.

2011 NBA Finals, Mavericks Vs. Heat: Game 1 Ratings Up 3 Percent

Ratings for Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat rose 3 percent from ratings for Game 1 of the 2010 series, ESPN announced Wednesday morning. The 2010 championship series, which pitted the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in three years, earned a 10.4 household rating in Game 1; this figure means that roughly 10.4 percent of all homes in America with a television on were tuned in to the game. Thus, Game 1 of the Mavericks' series against the Heat earned a 10.7 rating.

Improving on the ratings from the Lakers/Celtics series, which pitted two storied rivals with devoted fans against one another, is not insignificant. The general public is, it would appear, more invested in the NBA than ever. However, not everyone shares that view, as CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell says ratings for this series will decrease sharply if the Heat succeed; he believes many casual viewers only watched Game 1 to see Miami fail, and if it continues winning, those viewers will lose interest.

Game 2 ought to put his theory to the test. Tipoff is set for Thursday, June 2, at 8 PM Central. ABC will carry the game nationally. See the full NBA Finals schedule here.

Mavericks NBA Finals Predictions

NBA Finals 2011: Mavericks Forced To Use Phoenix's Airplane

NBA Finals 2011, Mavericks Vs. Heat

After a five year layoff, the Mavericks are headed back to the NBA Finals. Just like the Mavericks, the Miami Heat will be returning to the NBA Finals after a five year layoff, marking the first appearance for both teams in the NBA Finals since the Heat bested the Mavericks in six games in 2006.

2006, though, is seemingly ancient history in the NBA. The Mavericks swept the Heat in the regular season this year, though, they did it with Caron Butler playing. Butler will almost certainly be unavailable for the NBA Finals, at least according to Tim MacMahon.

There is a slim chance Butler could be available, according to coach Rick Carlisle. But Butler hasn't even been cleared for contact yet. Even in the unlikely event that he can play, it's crazy to believe that Butler could just chip off more than five months of rust to compete against King James. 

That's too bad, especially because Butler got the best of LeBron James during the Mavs' regular-season sweep of the Heat. 

Butler averaged 18 points on 54.2 percent shooting in the Mavs' two wins over Miami. James had subpar performances in both games, averaging 21 points on 30.5 percent shooting, although he produced 9.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. 

When Butler was on the floor, James averaged 17.7 points per 36 minutes on 28 percent shooting. Butler's numbers against LeBron: 23.8 points per 36 minutes on 57 percent shooting. The Mavs outscored the Heat by 28 points in the 53 minutes both players were on the floor.     

Butler would also provide championship karma, since the Connecticut product saw his Huskies win the 2011 NCAA Tournament earlier this year.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set for Tuesday night in Miami.

NBA Finals 2011: Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle Embrace No-Nonsense Approach

2011 NBA Finals: Tickets For Dallas Home Games On Sale Saturday

2011 NBA Finals Schedule: Mavericks Vs. Heat Will Begin On Tuesday In Miami

The Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night in Game 5 of the NBA's Eastern Conference Championship series, clinching Miami's spot in the 2011 NBA Finals. With that win, the 2011 NBA Finals schedule has been set. The best-of-seven playoff series tips off on Tuesday in Miami, and the entire series will be televised on ABC.

Best of seven (2-3-2 format)

Game 1 -- Tue May 31, Dallas at /Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 -- Thu June 2, Dallas at Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 3 -- Sun June 5, Miami at Dallas 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4 -- Tue June 7, Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5* -- Thu June 9, Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 6* -- Sun June 12, Dallas at Miami 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 7* -- Tue June 14, Dallas at Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
*If necessary

Both the Mavericks and Heat last reached the NBA Finals in 2006, when the Heat defeated the Mavericks in six games. Dallas could end up with the sweetest revenge of all, though, should they spoil "the decision" by LeBron James, Chris Bosh and friends.

Is This The Most Surprising DFW Playoff Run Ever?

2011 NBA Playoffs: Rick Carlisle Is Strong In Elimination Games

Mavericks Reach Second NBA Finals, Watch Heat Vs. Bulls Game 5 For Schedule

The Mavericks have clinched their second NBA Finals appearance with their 4-1 series win over the Thunder. They will now sit and watch the Bulls and Heat play Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. If the Heat win, the 2011 NBA Finals will start on May 31 in Miami. If the Bulls win, the Finals will begin on June 2 regardless of results in the rest of that series. Here are the two alternative schedules set by the NBA. Best of seven (2-3-2 format)

Game 1 -- Thu June 2, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 -- Sun June 5, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 3 -- Tue June 7, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4 -- Thu June 9, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5* -- Sun June 12, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 6* -- Tue June 14, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 7* -- Thu June 16, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
*If necessary

If both Conference Finals series are completed in five (5) games or less, the NBA Finals will move up to begin on Tuesday, May 31.

Game 1 -- Tue May 31, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 -- Thu June 2, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 3 -- Sun June 5, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4 -- Tue June 7, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5* -- Thu June 9, Chicago/Miami at Dallas 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 6* -- Sun June 12, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 7* -- Tue June 14, Dallas at Chicago/Miami 9 p.m. ET, ABC
*If necessary

So we'll find out Thursday night when the Finals will come to Dallas, but we know now that it will be either June 5-9 or June 7-12.