One word to describe tonight's NBA Finals Game 2 with the Miami Heat v. Dallas Mavericks: EPIC!!!!! A game that was thought to be well in hand for the Miami Heat with a little under 7 minutes to go in the game, the Dallas Mavericks went on a 22-5 run to end the game and take Game 2 95-93, and tie the series at one game a piece. Dirk scored the final 9 points (24 points total) in the epic comeback, ending the game with a drive to the left side of the basket for the winning lay up. Dallas Mavericks take Game 2, just as I had thought.
Going into the series, I stated on the blog (piece title: Rooting for Validation) that I was rooting for the Mavericks to win the series, because I was rooting for the validation of the careers of Dirk and J.Kidd; but I failed to mention how they would do it. When asked this past week for a prediction on the NBA Finals, I said that the Mavericks would need to win the Finals in 6 games (I will clarify for the record that I also said if I had to bet even money on the series, I wouldn't bet much on it and that the Heat would have an edge). However, for Dallas to win in 6, I stated that the Mavericks would need to beat the Heat at least one game in Miami, with the likelihood of that game being Game 2. Then they would need to go on to take 2 of 3 at their place in Dallas, and finally winning Game 6 on the road in Miami, to win the series. Dallas has been a solid road team in these playoffs, and winning Game 6 is a must for them to win the Finals, because if this series goes 7 games, Miami will not lose Game 7, in their house, for the NBA Championship. That is my logic. So far, everything is going according to my plan.
I must admit, I was not in my armchair for this game. I was actually at the gym for the second half of the game. I was fortunate enough to have a TV well in sight while I was pounding out a solid chest workout, so I was able to watch most of the action for the 3rd quarter and the first part of the 4th. This was about the time when Dwayne Wade decided to go beastly on the Mavericks, dropping corner 3's and monster dunks on fools. Little by little the crowds around the TV started to dissipate, expect Mr. Armchair and my man, Dallas Mav, working the front desk. As I'm slamming an after workout protein shake, I'm checking my phone for the stats on the game, and I'm talking with Dallas Mav on how the Mavericks blow a chance to win Game 2. I notice that Dirk at the time only had 15 points in the game and mention that the Mavericks needed more from him. Then, the lead started to dwindle. Marion 2 points here, Kidd makes a three there, Terry mid-range jumper, Dirk, Dirk, and more Dirk. Before we knew it, Mavericks are down only 4 points, and the crowd comes back. Future wife, Mrs. Loveseat, wrapped up her kickboxing class, but I put her on hold. I had a feeling this game was going to be something special.
Game 2 was something special. Not since the Chicago Bulls in the 1992 Finals has a team come back from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter to win a game. When Dirk made a transition layup to tie the game, I had to tell Mrs. Loveseat to give me a minute, as I watched with great anticipation; and for a brief second, I felt like a fan. Dallas Mav was going crazy as he was checking people into the gym. Then, a great defensive stop by the Mavericks lead to what was thought to be the game clincher; a three from Dirk goes in with 26 second left. But wait, there is more.
After a Miami timeout, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd get crossed up on a screen, and of all people, Mario Chalmers is left open for a deep corner three, and they ACTUALLY PASSED HIM THE BALL!!!!!!!! I turned to Dallas Mav just as Chamlers received the cross-court pass and said, "can't give him that." Sure enough, nothin' but net. Tie ball game at 93 with 24.5 seconds, Mavericks ball. After a timeout, J.Kidd waits with the ball, sets up Dirk for what was thought to be a pick-and-roll, but they leave Dirk one-on-one with Chris Bosh. CHRIS BOSH!!! Somewhere Chad Ochocinco is yelling "CHILD PLEASE!!" Dirk blows by Bosh and makes a lay-up with 3 seconds left and some change. 24 Hour Fitness goes crazy, obviously rooting for the Dallas Mavericks. My man Dallas Mav, starts going crazy from the Dirk shot. Miami inbounds the ball and Wade heaves a halfcourt shot that almost goes in, but hits off the back iron. Dallas Mavericks complete the comeback and take Game 2.
My analysis of the game is this. I'm ok with Wade scoring as many points as he did. Like I told Dallas Mav and like I posted on the blog (piece titled: How to beat the Heat), it's ok to let Wade and LeBron score their points. The gameplan on defense should be to hold Bosh to under 20 points, and keep him and the other players on the Miami Heat to under 35-40 points as a collective whole. Game 2, that total was 37 points. And while Wade had 36 points and LeBron only had 20, you have to figure that that isn't going to happen every game. Wade isn't going to score 36 and LeBron isn't going to be held to 20. But that's ok. If you just hold them to their season averages (Wade 25.5 and LeBron 26.7), you should be able to keep the score low enough to win the game. But Dallas was making it hard on themselves too.
Dallas' point guard play has been terrible. They are insisting on slowing it down and playing a halfcourt game when Kidd and Barea's strengths are getting out in the open floor and running with the ball. When Dallas went on their epic comeback, it was almost through transition points and speeding up the game. They are getting nothing out of JJ Barea off the bench. In Game 2, he played 14 minutes, 5 points, 2-7 shooting, 1 assist, and a +/- of -11. This was not the same player we saw against the Lakers and Thunder. Also, I would like to see better play out of Jason Kidd. I understand he is a true, true point guard, but I would like to see him score a little more than 6 points. While he did grab 8 rebounds, he had only 5 assist and 5 turnovers, 1:1 ratio. That is not the J. Kidd we know. And if Peja isn't going to hit open three's, then he is useless on the court, and coach Carlisle saw this as well, as Peja only played 5 minutes in Game 2.
Game 2 is exactly what this NBA Finals needed. After a lackluster Game 1, everyone started to ride off the Mavericks and proclaim the Miami Heat as the next NBA Champions. But Dallas showed a lot of heart in coming back from that 15-point deficit, and has made this series a whole lot more interesting. The momentum pendulum is now swinging to the Dallas Mavericks. Now just take 2 of 3 in Dallas and make Mr. Armchair look that much more like he knows what he is talking about. We shall see how this series plays out now. More on this to come. Until then.....
Mr. Armchair Speaking
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