Dallas 99, Miami 85 (Mavs lead series, 2-0)
Speed kills. Aside from Dwayne Wade, the Heat are slower than the Mavs at every position and it has cost Miami the first two games. Dallas did a marvelous job on Shaquille O’Neal, holding him to a playoff career low five points on 2-5 shooting, and foul trouble wasn’t the problem. A myriad of double-teams came every time Shaq caught the ball, and the Heat didn’t have an answer. Dwayne Wade was harrassed into 6-19 shooting, while Antoine Walker chipped in 20 points in garbage time. Dirk Nowitzki bounced back from a sketchy Game 1, scoring 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in less than 23 minutes of playing time. Jason Terry had 16 points and nine assists, cementing himself as one of the league’s best free agents this offseason. Honestly, this series looks like it’s already over. If Dallas can win one of the next three games in Miami, they’ll win the title.