Five steps the Dallas Mavericks must take to defeat the Miami Heat–2011 NBA Finals Special: Part 1
The postseason of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is ending and the finals come down to a final matchup between Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.
This is the second NBA finals appearance for both teams, having faced each other the finals in 2006, a series won by the Heat 4-2. The Heat have a home-court advantage in the NBA finals by virtue of being one game ahead of Dallas
at the end of the regular season. However, the Mavericks led them 2-0 during the season.
With revenge on the mind, the Mavericks have to act upon the following five steps to beat Miami this time:
First step: Hold down LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
If the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are going to play their typical style, the Heat is almost impossible to beat.
Anyhow, if Dallas would be able to hold back at least any one of them per game, they will have an excellent opportunity to take a sweet revenge this time.
Doubtlessly, holding the Heat's two superstars is a tough task. Going into the potential match-ups, the defensive-minded Mavericks have a more suitable chance to slow down King James. The Mavs have small forward Shawn Marion, who
is an above-average defender and have the ability to handle James. Marion has played terrifically in the playoffs, and could use his athletic abilities and a 6 feet 7 inch frame to muddle James.
It might be a bit difficult for the Mavericks to cut down the Heat point guard Wade with neither Jason Kidd nor J.J. Barea excels defensively. Shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson would be a best option against the 29-year-old.
The Mavericks have to remember the game-1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the only game that the Heat lost to the Chicago Bulls; both players were superbly restricted to under 20 points.
It the third-seeded Mavs can handle any of these two dazzling players, they will be in a fantastic position and we will have a series.
Step 2: Concrete production from the bench
Dallas played the playoffs behind a more advantageous and solid bench. Accordingly, they must find their way to fully utilize their brimming advantage.
The four key players of Mavs - Jason Terry, J.J. Barea, Peja Stojakovic and Brendan Haywood - have provided the Dallas with a solid off the bench production during the playoffs. Guard Terry remained on the second number in terms
of scoring during the playoffs with 17.3 points per game. The point guard Barea showed the guts to control the game in tough situations and centre Haywood has contributed well on interior defence and rebounding during the series.
Miami, on the other side, get very low production from its bench other than forward Udonis Haslem. The Mavs must take full advantage of this situation in order to make sure that the championship trophy comes home with them.
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