Miami Heat weather a late Dallas Mavericks storm to win game-3 of the NBA Finals - Part 2
Link for Part-1: http://www.senore.com/Miami-Heat-weather-a-late-Dallas-Mavericks-storm-to-win-game-3of-the-NBA-Finals-Part-1-a73783
Dirk Nowitzki started to flex his muscles in the third quarter. After managing just 10 points in the whole first half, Nowitzki had 9 in the third quarter. The Miami Heat started the second half on fire, scoring eight without reply.
However after that, the Dallas Mavericks made a 15 – 2 charge that levelled the scores at 57 – 57 with 4:37 remaining. They even took the lead with a Jason Terry jump shot but Heat came back strong to end the quarter at 67 – 64.
The first minute of the thrilling final quarter saw LeBron James dunk the ball home, Jose Barea respond with a three and Chris Bosh come back with a free throw. Dirk Nowitzki, who was massive in the 4th quarter, levelled
the scores at 70 – 70 with an effort from downtown, 10:23 to play. A 9 – 2 charge from Miami however saw them take a seven point lead with 6:31 remaining.
The Mavs then stepped aside and watched their star man take over. Dirk Nowitzki went on another late game rampage as the Heat looked helpless to stop him. Nowitzki scored all 12 of Dallas’ last points as they came within an inch
of winning the game. Dwyane Wade however kept answering back Nowitzki from time to time and Chris Bosh’s jumper 39.6 seconds from the end, gave Miami Heat the lead at 88 – 86. Nowitzki then turned the ball over before redeeming himself by grabbing the rebound
on the next possession.
With around 4 seconds remaining and the game on the line, the Mavs, of course, put the ball in the hands of the German sharp shooter. Udonis Haslem defended him well but Nowitzki got a shot off before the buzzer. However, a sell-out
American Airlines Center crowd watched in despair as the ball rimmed out, giving Miami the win.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade was very upbeat about the win after the game and said, "This is a total win, You want to win the game on the defensive end of the floor and we got a stop."
Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra was less enthusiastic about it though and admitted the shot by Nowitzki could have gone in at the death, to take the game in overtime.
"It was a good offensive play, and a good defensive play," Spoelstra said. "And he happened to miss."
Miami still had much reason to be pleased about their performance. They came to Dallas and outshot the Mavs from the field as well as from downtown. The Heat were 43.6 percent from the field and made 42.1 percent from beyond the
arc, in comparison the Mavs shot 40 percent and 38.1 percent respectively.
Miami Heat also forced more turnovers than the Dallas Mavericks although the Mavs did win the battle of the boards. The Mavericks out-rebounded the Heat 42- 36.
The 88-86 win gives the Miami Heat a 2-1 advantage in the NBA Finals.
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