Dallas Mavericks rise in the clutch again; Stun Miami Heat 112-103 in Game 5 of NBA Finals – Part 2
Link for Part-1: http://www.senore.com/Dallas-Mavericks-rise-in-the-clutch-again-Stun-Miami-Heat-112-103-in-Game-5-of-NBA-Finals-Part-1-a74721
Both coaches apparently emphasized on defence during the break as Miami and Dallas came out and played with much more grit in the third quarter. The period saw the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat score their lowest points in
any period of the game. After some back and forth action at the start, the Mavericks started to pull away. They made a 15 – 6 run that put them ahead by nine points, just 3:46 left on the clock. The Heat did comeback to reduce the gap to five before the period
ended at 79 – 84.
The Mavs, entering a fourth quarter with the lead for the first time in this year’s NBA Finals, looked to build on their advantage and started the final quarter on the front foot. They stretched the gap to seven points with around
10 minutes remaining, at 90 -83, before the Heat made a comeback. The Miami Heat made a 16 – 5 charge that took them past the Mavs and tilted the balance of the game firmly in their favour. Ahead by four at 99 – 95 with 4:37 left in the game, Miami seemed
to be in a strong position.
However, the Mavericks have become famous for their late comebacks this post season and they produced another resilient display in the last 5 minutes or so. Dirk Nowitzki started the run with two from the line. He then set up Jason
Terry for a 3-pointer that drew the scores and made a dunk on the next possession to overtake the Heat.
Jason Kidd and Jason Terry took over afterwards; they nailed big shots from beyond the arc and also converted coolly from the free throw line. The Mavericks made a blistering 17 – 4 run to scorch the Heat and ended the game with
a comfortable score line of 112 – 103.
The Dallas Mavericks shooting really clicked in this game as they shot an amazing 56.5 percent from the field. The Heat shot above 50 percent themselves but were no match for the Mavs’ prowess from downtown. The Mavericks shot
a ridiculously high percentage from beyond the arc, making 13-of-19, a mammoth 68.4 percent.
Miami clearly won on the boards with 36 compared to 26 by the Mavs, but the damage was done in other areas. Their star player, LeBron James, again failed to deliver in the final period. LeBron had just two points in the fourth
quarter, leaving Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade with perhaps just too much to do.
After the game Chris Bosh said the Heats’ destiny was still in their own hands, as they play the next two, must win, games in Miami,
"We fought hard all season for home-court advantage. We're down 3-2," Bosh said. "We protect home court, we win the series, so we just have to keep that in mind."
Game 6 of the NBA Finals is on Sunday night.
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