SB Nation Dallas - NBA Finals: Mavericks Roar Back To Take Game 2, 95-93https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2011-06-04T17:04:25-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19666022011-06-04T17:04:25-05:002011-06-04T17:04:25-05:00NBA Finals, Mavericks Vs. Heat Game 3: Tickets Expensive, Earth Round
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>' comeback against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> in Game 2 of the NBA Finals might have had something to do with this, but tickets to Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Dallas - the first in Big D - are quite expensive. </p>↵<p>Darren Rovell<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/darrenrovell/status/77129484461015040"> tweeted</a> earlier Saturday the price of two front row seats to Game 3:</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>Front row seats a bit off center to the NBA Finals Game 3 in Dallas just sold for $2,650 each. </p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>Not a bad chunk of change there. </p>↵<p>A quick glance at <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fdallas-mavericks-playoff-tickets%2Fmavericks-vs-heat-6-5-2011-1051898%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdallas.sbnation.com%2Fdallas-mavericks%2F2011%2F6%2F4%2F2206857%2Fnba-finals-mavericks-vs-heat-game-3-tickets-expensive-earth-round" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">StubHub</a> shows that the <i>cheapest</i> ticket you can buy for Sunday night's contest is a cool $300. If you're feeling really ritzy, you could spring for the $6,001 (the extra dollar is really necessary) VIP Floor seats. </p>↵<p>Is any of this surprising? Not at all. Any type of playoff game is expensive, especially a game in the World Series, Stanley Cup, NBA Finals - or the Super Bowl as well for that matter.</p>↵<p>I'd like to see the prices for Game 5 if the Mavericks can somehow put themselves in a position to clinch the title. </p>↵
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/4/2206857/nba-finals-mavericks-vs-heat-game-3-tickets-expensive-earth-roundJP Starkey2011-06-03T16:18:15-05:002011-06-03T16:18:15-05:00NBA Finals, Mavericks Vs. Heat: History Says Game 3 Is Pivotal
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>It's a good thing the NBA Finals are headed to Dallas for Game 3 - if you believe in history repeating itself, that is. Since the NBA Finals switched to a 2-3-2 format, when the series is tied at 1-1, the team that won Game 3 won the NBA Finals - every single time. </p>↵<p>This isn't a small sample size, either. Since the NBA has used the 2-3-2 format, the series has been tied at 1-1 on 11 occasions, most recently last year when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead before eventually defeating the Celtics in seven games.</p>↵<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> have put themselves in a position to take a 2-1 series lead, as the series shifts back to Dallas on Sunday night for Game 3. Not only did the Mavericks steal home court away from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> in Game 2, they did it with a stunning comeback, or colossal collapse - whichever you prefer. </p>↵<p><span style="line-height: 14px;">Needless to say, though, the 11 previous instances have exactly zero bearing on what happens in Games 4, 5, and if necessary, 6 and 7. It's important for the Mavericks to hold home court and at least take two of three in Dallas so they don't find themselves staring elimination in the face when, and if, they head back to Miami.</span></p>↵
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2205511/nba-finals-mavericks-vs-heat-history-says-game-3-is-pivotalJP Starkey2011-06-03T13:53:36-05:002011-06-03T13:53:36-05:00NBA Finals 2011: NBA Playbook Looks At Play That Brought Mavericks Back
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a href="http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/06/03/the-play-that-sparked-dallas-comeback/" target="new"><span class="caps">NBA</span> Playbook</a> takes an extended look at the play that finally got to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a>’s scrambling defense in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s Game 2 win by Dallas.</p>
<p>The set can probably be boiled down as a staggered screen to offset Miami’s trapping and generally suffocating defense.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>As <span>Jason Terry</span> brings the basketball along the wing, <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> get in position and set a staggered ball screen for Terry (with Nowitzki as the front screener and Chandler as the second screener).</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>What this staggered screen for Jason Terry is that it negates the Heat’s hard trap/hedge on the ball handler, especially on this first position, where the Heat seemed to look a little confused.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The post looks at different things the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> did from the set, but the concept was fairly straightforward. Whether or not the Heat adjust to this particular scheme – and they probably will – one of the keys to this series appears to be Dallas’ ability to offset Miami’s smothering style of defense.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2205240/nba-finals-2011-nba-playbook-looks-at-play-that-brought-mavericks-backBrett Perryman2011-06-03T12:14:57-05:002011-06-03T12:14:57-05:00DFW Digs Dirk
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Today seems like a good day to link Ben Rogers' ode to <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>.</p>↵<p><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F3817204"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F3817204" mce_src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F3817204" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Foddibe-mcben%2Fdfw-digs-dirk&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdallas.sbnation.com%2Fdallas-mavericks%2F2011%2F6%2F3%2F2204959%2Fdfw-digs-dirk" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">DFW Digs Dirk</a> by <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Foddibe-mcben&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdallas.sbnation.com%2Fdallas-mavericks%2F2011%2F6%2F3%2F2204959%2Fdfw-digs-dirk" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ben.Rogers</a></span></p>↵
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2204959/dfw-digs-dirkBrett Perryman2011-06-03T10:04:50-05:002011-06-03T10:04:50-05:002011 NBA Finals, Mavericks Vs. Heat: Dirk Nowtizki's Hand Injury 'Felt Great' During Game 2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After tearing a tendon in the middle finger of his left hand in Game 1, nobody really knew how he, or that injury, would respond in Game 2. Nowtizki wasn't as efficient from the field as we have grown accustomed to (10-22) but when the Mavs needed him most, he was there with some of his trademark heroics. First, a three that gave the Mavs a 93-90 lead. Then, after a huge mental lapse by Jason terry that allowed a tying three from Mario Chalmers, Dirk drove to the hoop around Chris Bosh and hit a game-winning layup with his left hand. A desperation three pointer by Dwyane Wade went begging, and the Mavs escaped with a 95-93 win. The series is now knotted up at one as it heads back to Dallas.</p>
<p>Dirk said the injury performed better than he expected it to, via <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2011/6/3/2203277/nba-finals-2011-mavs-heat-post-game-two-quotes#storyjump">Mavs Money Ball</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It felt great. I thought it wasn't going to bother me before the game, and it didn't. I was able to get a good grip on the ball."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And as for that last play, all started because Dirk realized that the Heat a foul to give. He, like everyone else who has ever seen a basketball game before, thought that the Heat would give a foul if Dirk started going to the hoop. As we all know, they didn't.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We talked about it. They had a foul to give, so I actually drove a little earlier than I would have, knowing they had a foul to give. Made a move and the foul never came, so I was able to get to the basket and lay it in. That was a big play, and they didn’t have a timeout left, so we had to scramble back."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It doesn't sound like Mavs coach Rick Carlisle was particularly surprised about Dirk playing through the injury, and being able to play as well as he did. He also used a comparison that we've been hearing about a lot during these playoffs.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I played with Larry Bird when he was the best player in the world. Guys like that don't feel pain right now. If you're feeling pain, you make yourself numb."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Notice that Carlisle quickly makes sure that nobody takes this comment as a nother Pippen/Jordan/LeBron disaster. But this is still high praise for Nowitzki.</p>
<p>This is an important time for the injury, to see how it responds after the game. If he experiences any swelling or discomfort, he has until Sunday to let it heal before Game 3.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2204674/2011-nba-finals-mavericks-vs-heat-dirk-nowtizki-injuryJordan Ruby2011-06-03T07:30:36-05:002011-06-03T07:30:36-05:00NBA Finals, Heat Vs Mavericks: Game 2 Thoughts, As Dallas Wins On The Boards And The Bench
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Game 2 of the NBA Finals featured an amazing performance by the Dallas Mavericks, who showed the resolve and determination they've shown throughout the playoffs on the way to a 95-93 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night. The Mavericks victory evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1 as it heads to Dallas for Games 3, 4 and 5.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Dallas won despite gifting the Heat 31 points off of turnovers, having Dwyane Wade go off for 36 points and having Bibby rediscover the fountain of youth for 14 points. So how did they do it?</p>
<p>After he struggled with his shot in Game 1, the Miami Heat looked to get Wade involved early and often in the first half of Game 2. In the first six minutes of the game, Wade was 4-for-6 for eight points and had three assists. He finished the half with 21 points on 9/13, two steals and two blocks. <span>Mike Bibby</span> started the game 2/2 from three and Deshawn Stevenson was able to keep the Mavericks within range with a pair of his own. <span>Peja Stojakovic</span> played five minutes in the first quarter and showed no signs of snapping out of his funk. Peja did not put up one shot but committed a turnover and looked lost on both ends of the floor. J.J Barea checked into the game at the end of the first quarter and immediately attacked the rim, hitting his first layup. Barea continued to play well in the first half, penetrating and creating shots for the Mavericks. The Mavericks had quietly extended their lead to 40-34 when a couple of Wade dunks closed the gap to 40-38. A missed opportunity came a few minutes later when Lebron James picked up his third foul with under four minutes to go in the second quarter. The Mavericks held a 52-41 advantage with a chance to maintain or extend their lead. One thing the Mavericks didn't want to do was get the Heat in the penalty. Inexplicably, the Mavericks fouled the Heat on four straight possessions and a Wade three to end the half had both teams tied going into the break at 51. The Heat ended the half on a 9-0 run.</p>
<p>Turnovers and dunks helped the Heat extend their run to 15-1 and a 57-52 lead. They would lead by 10 a few moments later 71-61. <span>Brian Cardinal</span> got some run with 4:23 left in the third quarter in response to Stojakovic's lackluster play. He soaked up a couple of minutes and then Nowitzki checked back in. The Mavericks were able to string a few offensive possessions to end the quarter and a Terry basket with four seconds left cut the lead to 75-71 going into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>The fourth quarter got off to an ominous start as Haywood picked up a strained right hip flexor a minute into the quarter and was done for the game. With the Mavericks needing a spark on offense <span>Rick Carlisle</span> put in an ultra small lineup with no Chandler. The result? A 13-0 run by the Miami Heat. The lead was 88-73 and the Mavericks were all but done. Carlisle inserted Chandler back into the game and good things began to happen. How good? The Mavericks went on a 17-2 run to tie the game at 90. Dirk scored the Mavericks' final nine points including the game winning layup with 3.6 seconds to go. Left handed. The Mavericks had completed another historic comeback and the Heat were left stunned.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/628475/115076335.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="115076335_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/628475/115076335_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1307099096537"></p>
<p>The keys coming into the game were the battle of the boards and the benches. The Mavericks won both. They out-rebounded the Heat 41-30 and the bench scored 23 points to the Heat's 11. A definite improvement on the boards but the bench could give them much more. Terry finished with 16 points but was only 5/11 from the field, Barea was 2/7 from the field and Peja was nowhere to be found. If their bench is able to get on track, the Heat could be in trouble. After a subpar game one, Chandler responded well in game two. He finished with 13 points and seven rebounds but was much more active keeping balls alive and really got under the Heat's skin throughout the game. He also played a key role in getting Nowitzki open on the late three that put them up 93-90 by setting a viscous screen on <span>Udonis Haslem</span>.</p>
<p>Dirk showed no ill-effects of the torn tendon on his left hand and finished with 24 points and 11 big rebounds. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the performance of <span>Shawn Marion</span>. He was immense down the stretch in denying James and Wade which forced them into contested threes and finished the game with 20 points and eight rebounds.This game is not won without Marion.</p>
<p>Of course, the Mavericks could not mount this comeback without some help from the Miami Heat. The Heat attempted 30 three pointers and were only able to convert nine. The shots that were falling in game one for Wade and James did not fall in game two as they each went 2/7 from behind the arc. The ball movement became non-existent and they began to hoist threes as their lead began to dwindle. They thought they had this game won with seven minutes to go and became complacent at 88-73. The Mavericks took advantage of it, began to hit the open shots they were missing all series and simply stole a game in Miami. </p>
<p>While this may have shellshocked some other teams, I expect the Heat to come out firing in game three but the goal coming in for the Mavericks was to gain a split. It didn't matter how, just get a split. Turns out, it took comeback for the ages. But, hey, they're coming back to Dallas with a split.</p>
<p>Game 3 is Sunday in Dallas at 7 p.m. CT.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2203890/nba-finals-heat-vs-mavericks-game-two-thoughtssprite2011-06-03T07:02:42-05:002011-06-03T07:02:42-05:002011 NBA Finals, Game 2: Chris Bosh Takes Blame For Dirk's Game Winner
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a> scored 22 of the last 27 points in Game 2 of the 2011 <span class="caps">NBA</span> Finals, and <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> scored his team’s last nine. But it was Nowitzki’s driving left-handed layup against <span>Chris Bosh</span> with 3.6 seconds remaining that won the game for Dallas.</p>
<p>After a <span>Mario Chalmers</span> three-pointer evened the game with 24 seconds remaining, <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a> coach <span>Erik Spoelstra</span> opted to defend Nowitzki one-on-one with Bosh. Miami had a foul to give early but allowed Nowitzki to get the ball and start his move. With the court spread, Nowitzki received the ball at the three-point line and backed Bosh down to the left elbow. A spin to his left and then a stutter step move caught Bosh off guard and gained Nowitzki enough separation to get to the basket.</p>
<p>Miami was late in helping Bosh at the basket, as <span>LeBron James</span> and <span>Dwyane Wade</span> covered <span>Jason Terry</span> and <span>Shawn Marion</span> on each baseline and <span>Udonis Haslem</span> had to keep track of <span>Tyson Chandler</span>, who was moving toward the basket along the right baseline.</p>
<p>Bosh said the play was typical Dirk, but that his defensive lapse was to blame.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He does the move that he always does. He uses his body well. I got caught up in trying to cover his drive, and that’s what he wanted. For a split second I just played bad defense and it cost us two points.</p>
</blockquote>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2204444/2011-nba-finals-game-2-chris-bosh-takes-blame-for-dirks-game-winnerBrett Perryman2011-06-03T06:38:42-05:002011-06-03T06:38:42-05:00NBA Finals 2011: Rick Carlisle Talks About Mavs' Late Comeback Over Heat In Game 2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Rick Carlisle</span> spoke about <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>’s performance and his team’s comeback win in Game 2 of the <span class="caps">NBA</span> Finals.</p>
<p>On whether his technical inspired his team:</p>
<p>It seemed to inspire the referees. Look, I’m not going to get into a big thing about the officiating. I stand up for my guys. If I think things are going on out there that aren’t fair, I’m going to fight for them. That’s just how I do business. If you get a technical once in a while, you get a technical once in a while. That was a long time ago, now.</p>
<p>On Shawn Marion’s performance:</p>
<p>He was great. We need him on the floor because of his defense, and offensively he’s given us points and playmaking. His movement on the court makes a lot of things happen for us.</p>
<p>On what he said to get his team going:</p>
<p>Just ‘hang in, let’s get some stops, let’s put some pressure on them.’ We hadn’t really put any pressure at all on them in two games. It’s hard because they put you in a lot of bad situations. They have breathtaking ability out there on the court. But by being solid and getting a couple of stops and then scoring, we got some momentum and it worked out.</p>
<p>On when he realized that they could come back:</p>
<p>Five minutes is a long time. If you’re getting stops and scores you can make up ground in a hurry. The key is to understand that there are no six point plays. You have to do it one play at a time. To win a championship series you have to have some good fortune, along with playing hard and giving yourself a chance.</p>
<p>On Nowitzki’s overall performance:</p>
<p>Rebounding was the biggest issue we had coming into this game. Guys did a much better job tonight and were more conscientious. Dirk had a great all-around game. He missed some shots early in the game, but he was getting double-teamed and he did a good job of making passes that led to opportunities for other guys. Defensively he kept a body on his man and cleaned up possessions with defensive rebounds.</p>
<p>On Nowitzki using his left hand to score late, despite a torn tendon in his finger:</p>
<p>Look, I played with Bird for three years when he was the best player in the world, and guys like that don’t feel pain right now. You play, and if you’re feeling pain you make yourself numb.</p>
<p>See Carlisle’s comments on<a href="http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2011/finals/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1" target="new"> nba.com</a>.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2011/6/3/2204427/nba-finals-2011-rick-carlisle-mavs-heat-game-2Brett Perryman