Mavericks win first NBA title
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Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after making a jump shot in the fourth quarter while taking on the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. [Source: Sina.com] |
Avenging what happened five years ago in perfect turnabout style, the Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA title by winning Game 6 of these finals in Miami 105-95 on Sunday night -- celebrating on the Heat's home floor, just as Dwyane Wade and his team did to them in the 2006 title series.
Jason Terry scored 27 points, Nowitzki added 21 and the Mavericks topped the Miami Heat 105-95 in Game 6 of the NBA finals on Sunday night. The Mavericks won four of the series' last five games, a turnabout that could not have been sweeter after seeing the Heat celebrate their first title in Dallas after Game 6 of the 2006 finals.
LeBron James had nine points in the opening period but finished with only 21 for the game to lead the Heat.
Chris Bosh scored 19 and Mario Chalmers added 18 for Miami, who had 16 turnovers and hit only seven of 23 from three-point range and only 20 of 33 from the line.
"I just can't believe the journey," said 17-year NBA guard Jason Kidd of the Mavericks. "I came here twice (the finals) and this is the third time. The third time is the charm."
Nowitzki shot one for 12 from the floor in the first half but Dallas still held a 53-51 lead because of 19 points by Terry, who hit eight of 10 shots, including three of five from beyond the arc.
Dallas, buoyed by eight points from Nowitzki and six from Jason Kidd, outscored the Heat 28-21 in the third quarter to take an 81-721 lead into the final frame.
Six-foot guard J.J. Barea scored five points during an 8-0 run by the Mavericks to boost a four-point lead to 89-77 with eight minutes remaining.
The Heat never got closer than seven the rest of the way, despite the urging from the sold-out crowd at American Airlines Arena.
"All I said was playoff game and play your ass off," said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. "Dirk Nowitzki is one of the very greatest players in the history of this game and that was validated here tonight.
"He had a tough shooting night in the first half and other guys stepped up and kept us afloat and in the second half. He was amazing."
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