The Mavs left Game 1 with a loss and an injured superstar. Dirk Nowitzki attempted his patented strip on Chris Bosh late in the fourth quarter and came away with a torn tendon on the middle finger of his left hand. The good news: x-rays were negative, and at least the injury was to his non-shooting hand.
Nowitzki said after the game that he would “be all right for Thursday” and that he anticipates wearing a splint on the finger for the remainder of the series.
He was 12-12 from the line, continuing his stellar free throw shooting in the playoffs (93.4% overall), but his 7-18 from the field was just his third game under 40%. He is still shooting 51% for the playoffs, including 51.5% from beyond the arc. Splint or no, Nowitzki and the Mavericks must solve a smothering Miami defense that held them to 37% shooting and 84 points.