What’s that? This is only Game 6, you say? The Miami Heat need to win a Game 7 to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, you say? I need to learn how to count, eh?
No, I know exactly what I am saying. The Dallas Mavericks may lead this series 3 games to 2. The Mavericks will participate in a Game 7 if they lose Game 6. However, if the Heat win Game 6, they are not looking back and the Mavericks are not recovering.
HISTORY IS ON MIAMI’S SIDE
Miami has recent history and NBA history working on its side. Recently, as in the 2011 playoffs, the Heat have lost one playoff game at home. It was a miraculous, historic comeback by the Mavericks in Game 2.
Historically, the road team has not won the seventh game of the NBA Finals since 1978. During this series, the Mavericks have only outplayed the Heat for the majority of the game once, in Game 5. And historically, Game Sevens in any sport in any round have been won by the home team in heavy proportions.
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| This is what the NBA looked like the last time a team won a Game 7 of the Finals on the road - The Washinton Bullets beat the Seattle Supersonics. Those shorts were not flattering on Hall of Famer Wes Unseld (41). 2 |
THE GAME IS PLAYED ON THE COURT
History is just that: history, what happened in the past. Still, if the Mavericks are to beat the Heat in a seventh game, it would require a Miami win in Game 6. In common vernacular, the Heat haven’t figured Dallas out over the past two games. Miami had fourth quarter leads in the last two games, but could not put a lid on the Mavs.
If the Heat can crack the code in Game 6, considering the already existing advantage Miami has in talent over Dallas, how much room could the Mavericks make up in a seventh game on the road? This series, were it not for a lot of breaks going just the way the Mavericks needed them in Games Two and Four, may have ended in a four game sweep.
In addition, LeBron James is in the midst of a vicious two game slump, particularly in the fourth quarter. Great players do not stay down for long. They just don’t. For the Heat to win Game Six, they will probably need all that LeBron has to offer. If The King snaps out of his funk during Game 6, does anyone think he is going to suddenly lose his confidence and go back into his shell for Game Seven?
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| Dallas needs an encore from Jason Terry in Game 6. 3 |
Much like Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks had one opportunity to complete the Mavericks comeback from 15 points down in 7 minutes in regulation in the final seconds, the Mavericks have one opportunity to win the 2011 NBA Championship: Game 6. If this series goes to a 7th and deciding game, the Mavericks will be there, but likely be watching confetti fall in Miami at the end of it.
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| I don't think the Mavericks want to see this sight, again. 1 |
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1) Image from usatoday.com
2) image from bleacherreport.com
3) Image from NBC Sports
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