Heat vs Mavericks Preview - NBA Finals '11

After six weeks of hard-fought and exciting postseason basketball, the finals match-up is set as the Miami Heat, champions of the Eastern conference, will go up against the Dallas Mavericks of the Western Conference. Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki, veterans, and two of the league's greatest players have been in this position before as the story began back in the playoffs of 2006. The Heat, lead by Wade, and the Mavs by Nowitzki, met in the finals for the first time in franchise history and through his superior skill and leadership, Dwayne Wade was able to conjure the effort to trump Dallas and take the championship as well as the title of the finals' MVP. Now as the opportunity has arisen once again, Wade - 1 and Nowitzki - 0, there is more to be fought for than both team could have ever imagined. Both players have shown that they belong with the elite; Wade, with the unbelievable numbers he's put up and the ring he wears on his finger, and likewise for Dirk with the exception that he has yet to pass the ultimate test: win an NBA finals.

Now, everything must be left on the table, all that is behind means nothing especially considering the fact that since these teams faced off in the '06 finals, and even since they faced each other during the regular season this year, they are different teams now. The playoffs have shown the true colors of both sides and it will be interesting to see how everything plays out.

Dirk Nowitzki has come to be known as the greatest bigman shooter of all-time. Throughout his career he has amazed the audience of the entire country with his ability to knock down shots from all over the floor especially when off-balance or with a hand in his face. He was a great shooter back in the '06 finals and may be an even better shooter now and his numbers throughout this year's playoffs are second to none, and he's proven that he knows how to close out games as good as anyone in the league.

The supporting cast will be the huge factor going into this finals' match-up. With the addition of Marion and Chandler, the Dallas Mavericks have a big and athletic presence in the paint, and it's shown throughout the postseason this year against the likes of the Portland Trailblazers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Another major feature of this team is the facilitation of the veteran Jason Kidd, who's knows everything about being a point guard, sets this team up for success, and still knows how to hit the 3-point shot. Jason Terry, another veteran but agile guard also knows a few things about hitting shots from downtown as he tied the record back in the Portland series for most 3's made in a playoff game with 9, as he shot 9 for 10 on the night, an unbelievable feat. J.J. Barea, Brendon Haywood also give this team the depth it needs to make a playoff run towards a championship, both have shown the ability to come in for the starters and put 10-15 points on the board for Dallas; Barea with his agility and long-range shooting, and Haywood with his strong presence and rebounding capability downlow.

Nowitzki and the Mavericks squad has been waiting for this moment to come all season with all the hard work they've put in as they know they're supposed to be in this situation. The finals' is where all that hard work is put to the test for the last time. This team has the pieces to win the title, the next step is...winning it.

After the LeBron "Decision" during the summer last year, the stage ceremony, the shocking 9-8 start to the season, the awful closing-out of games, losses to teams like Boston and Chicago, and all the obstacles throughout, the Miami Heat, one of the most scrutinized and talked about teams in the history of the NBA at last has proven itself and made it to the finals. As the stars aligned in South Beach, Dwayne Wade was joined by Chris Bosh and LeBron James to create the trio more commonly known as the "Big Three," and they struggled during the beginning of the season, but as this postseason has wore on, they seemed to have found the chemistry and spark they need to win games. Leaders have stepped up on the team when needed, and gone on to perform at the highest level to get the team to where they are now, a one-way ticket to the NBA finals.

James, Wade, and Bosh, each stars, have all stepped up in one game or another throughout the playoffs this year and delivered an exceptional performance ultimately resulting in a victory for the Heat. What was once too much talent on one team has lead to a team of leaders, but more importantly, a team that works together and does what they have to in order to close out games. As was said before, the Miami Heat is a much different team that it was back in the 2006 playoffs, obviously with the addition of stars James and Bosh, but other pieces have also fallen into place. Udonis Haslem, a teammate of Wade back in the '06 finals, and Mike Miller, player acquired from the Florida Gators, are two pieces that Pat Riley says completes the puzzle. With both of them coming off the bench and giving the Miami Heat the performance and energy they need to win games throughout the playoffs this year, they've become "The team that I've envisioned," says Riley, President and GM of the club. With those pieces fitting together, and the ability to close out games of both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, especially seen in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals as they torched the Chicago Bulls to clinch the series, the Heat look unstoppable now.

After all the criticism of these three stars, Wade, James, and Bosh, deciding to come together and play for the same city, they've gone against the odds and proven that they belong in this year's finals that will definitely be an exciting one.

Game 1 - Tue, May 31st 9:00 PM ET at Miami

Game 2 - Thu, June 2nd 9:00 PM ET at Miami

Game 3 - Sun, June 5th 8:00 PM ET at Dallas

Game 4 - Tue, June 7th 9:00 PM ET at Dallas

Game 5 - Thu, June 9th 9:00 PM ET at Dallas (if needed)

Game 6 - Sun, June 12th 8:00 PM ET at Miami (if needed)

Game 7 - Tue, June 14th 9:00 PM ET at Miami (if needed)