Miami 98, Dallas 96 (Mavs lead series, 2-1)
The Miami Heat overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter and stole Game 3, keeping their title hopes alive in the process. Dwayne Wade had a huge game, scoring 42 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Shaquille O’Neal was productive in his 37 minutes, tallying 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. It looked like Dallas’ speed was going to wear down the Heat once again, but the Mavs put it in cruise control too early, allowing Miami to fight back in the waning moments of the game to get the win. With Dirk Nowitzki on the line with two free throws to tie it up late in the fourth, it looked like the game was headed to overtime. But Nowitzki missed the second attempt and Miami survived to fight another day. The Mavs still have the advantage in the series, up 2-1 with home court advantage, but they need to at least play well in Game 4. They don’t have to win, but if Miami blows them out, it will give the Heat the confidence they need to win Game 5. Dallas needs to focus on what they came to Miami to do – win one game. If they live in the present, that goal is still attainable. If they get bogged down by what went wrong in Game 3, then they might get in their own kitchens, and that’s never a good thing.
Note: I didn’t like the play that the Mavs ran with a second to play. I don’t know why you would have your best offensive player taking the ball out of bounds without time to pass the ball back to him. If anything, use Nowitzki as a decoy, but don’t have him take the ball out of bounds, effectively eliminating him from the play.
