Game 3: Dallas is extremely impressive

[Mavs<Spurs]

Great post!! I agree with you about Dallas looking smarter than Miami. I did not see the post game interviews, but Shaq is smarter than he looks, huh? It is interesting to me that he realizes that they are making too many turnovers, and are shooting less than desired from the field at home, and just making too many mistakes, among other things. I think that is what you are saying. Wade was insane tonight, and because I would like to see the Mavs win, I hope Wade got that kind of game out of his system for the rest of the series! The game did not look good for the Mavs early on, but then they came back to go ahead by 13 and thought, now that is what championship teams can do! I was dissappointed when they lost by 2. But when you consider that the Mavs won at home twice by double digits and could have pulled it off last night, maybe the Heat's win was not really that good. After all it was only 2 points. Enough to win, but certainly not convincing!

Exactly.

Even when Miami pulls ahead, you, as a Dallas fan, have to remember how much Miami turns the ball over, the athletes that Dallas has which can take advantage of those turnovers and the much improved Dallas defense. In addition, the thing that in my view put Dallas over the top is the fact that Dirk now consistently goes aggressively to the rim. He is one of the best free throw shooters in the league as we all know (anomalies do happen like yesterday).

Plus, remember how poorly Miami defends the screen and role. Finally, when you lose all hope remember that often two of the best players for Dallas are Antoine Walker and Jason Williams (definitely volume shooters as the other poster said!).

In addition, Dallas shoots well from the free throw line and has some good shooters from 3 (Dirk and Jason Terry - the others are Dallas' volume shooters).

Add all of this up and even if Miami is up big, Dallas is likely to come back and have a good chance to win it.

And I say all of that reluctantly, but it is true.

[Mavs<Spurs]

IMO, if you watch the postgame press conferences and listen to what players from both teams are saying, it appears to me that Dallas' players understand how to play winning basketball better. Avery is very impressive to me. Jason Terry clearly understands how to play high iq basketball. Dirk obviously understands the game very well.

It's funny but a lot of really athletic good players don't understand the game well (at least not smart basketball).

How many mental mistakes did Miami make ? (Wade jumped twice in the air looking to pass- he got away with it once), Wade hung on the rim (give them an extra point when you are down in the series 2-0, Payton got a technical, commit 20 turnovers, often poor shot selection...)

The finals is a darwinian process and I don't like Miami's chances when they make so many mental mistakes and turn the ball over so much.

I thought that if Miami could keep their turnovers down, defend the screen and roll halfway decently and keep Shaq out of foul trouble, then Shaq and Wade would shoot such a high percentage, (because they were taking high percentage shots ) that they would put Miami over the top.

However, the fact that Miami can't keep their turnovers down, can't defend the screen and roll, can't match Dallas depth and athleticism at the guard/ small forward position and can't determine what is and what is not a good shot has led me to conclude that it is very unlikely for Miami to win the series. While it is not impossible, it is a long shot.

[leemajors]

i was shocked they called wade for hanging on the rim like that. i didn't think it was that long.

[Mavs<Spurs]

i was shocked they called wade for hanging on the rim like that. i didn't think it was that long.

I know what you're saying. I think that it was the chinup thing. I would prefer not to have the call, but it is not the first time that they have called a chinup on the rim a technical foul.

And why take the chance.

Wade is awesome, but he does make too many mental mistakes. His athleticism and skills are so amazing that we miss them.

[Islymore]

i know the mavs haven't really clicked for a whole game, but neither have the heat. they played fairly well in the first half and great in the 4th, but they keep having some real clunkers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters every game. i don't think the heat will win the series, but they do have a chance, and a great chance to make this a real compe ive series. that's all i'm hoping for at this point since i don't like either team too much. i would rather the heat win, but they probably won't. if they cut down on the turnovers they could really get going after that comeback in the 4th.

just how likely is that??

[Islymore]

I know what you're saying. I think that it was the chinup thing. I would prefer not to have the call, but it is not the first time that they have called a chinup on the rim a technical foul.

And why take the chance.

Hate to be double posting but... WADE had nobody near him when he did the chinup either... If there was a blue jersey in the vicinity, he may have gotten away with it...

[Mavs<Spurs]

just how likely is that??

Exactly.

Ballgame.

[Mavs<Spurs]

How depressing!!!




It's going to be a long year.
And we have to address the weaknesses Dallas revealed (if we can).

[Islymore]

It isnt depressing... @Manu...

It happens... It's the NBA.

[leemajors]

just how likely is that??

miami isn't going to keep turning he ball over 20 times a game. if they do, i would be really surprised. not saying they will automatically win a game if they don't, but they are certainly capable of turning the ball over less.

[kalikot_boy_kr]

what???? impresive???? where???? ur kidding me!!

[kalikot_boy_kr]

mavs dont know how to play basketball. they know how to buy the ref's hahhaha!

[Islymore]

and i thot this was gonna be a real deal thread... minus the jibberjabber...

[LEONARD]

i was shocked they called wade for hanging on the rim like that. i didn't think it was that long.

It was for pulling up, not for hanging for too long...

[boutons_]

"looks like they are so much better than Miami. "

We knew that before the series started. Heat need Wade and Shaq to have great, not average but great games, since NOBODY else, except on very sparse and random nights, helps them win.

There is just no ing way the Heat "deserve" to be in the NBA Finals.
The EC continues to be be incredibly weak.
The Pistons were the only credible contenders and they totally blew their entire, dominating season in the playoffs.

After the Pistons, nothing.

No chance the Mavs lose the Finals, if they stay healthy.
I bet the series won't go back to Dallas.

[Slinkyman]

I feel like last nights game was alot like game 2 of the Lakers Pistons final 2 years ago where detroit had a melt down on the road against a team that was in a must win situation like miami was but still should have won the game. I can see Dallas being up by double digits again in games 4 and 5 but unlike last night the mavs will hold on to win those games and take the series in 5.

[Islymore]

For some reason, I still see Miami as pulling another win at home.

That might be wishful thinking bc I'm guaranteed floor seats to Game 6.. lol...

[Tanya]

Game 3 was a MUST WIN game after they were down 0-2. But did MIA look like they had already made enough adjustment(offensively and defensively) to beat DAL? They still looked stupid and had no clue how to beat DAL.

I am quite sure DAL will be the champ this year. MIA is not a good road team, and they are the worse team in the series, therefore they'd better win all games or at least two at their home court. hmm.. impossible mission..

[Mavs_man_41]

themanurules is a smart man....

[DDS4]

Personally, I'd be shocked if this series goes past 5 games.

However, if Miami wins tomorrow...things can get interesting.

[Pandaemonaeon]

miami isn't going to keep turning he ball over 20 times a game. if they do, i would be really surprised. not saying they will automatically win a game if they don't, but they are certainly capable of turning the ball over less.

They average 15/16 turnovers per game in the entire post-season (they had 16 in game 1) and although that's 4 short, it's still too much especially with Dallas's inate ability to capitalize on these miscues.

and i thot this was gonna be a real deal thread... minus the jibberjabber...

Ignore him. That sucker's got 354 posts full of incoherent drivel that to expect anything better is out of the question. He's an embarassment to Filipinos everywhere.

[East Coast Babe]

Exactly.

Even when Miami pulls ahead, you, as a Dallas fan, have to remember how much Miami turns the ball over, the athletes that Dallas has which can take advantage of those turnovers and the much improved Dallas defense. In addition, the thing that in my view put Dallas over the top is the fact that Dirk now consistently goes aggressively to the rim. He is one of the best free throw shooters in the league as we all know (anomalies do happen like yesterday).

Plus, remember how poorly Miami defends the screen and role. Finally, when you lose all hope remember that often two of the best players for Dallas are Antoine Walker and Jason Williams (definitely volume shooters as the other poster said!).

In addition, Dallas shoots well from the free throw line and has some good shooters from 3 (Dirk and Jason Terry - the others are Dallas' volume shooters).

Add all of this up and even if Miami is up big, Dallas is likely to come back and have a good chance to win it.

And I say all of that reluctantly, but it is true.

These are minor corrections here and then I will go on with my comments. Antoine Walker and Jason Williams play for Miami, not Dallas; and secondly I am primarily a Pistons fan. I am rooting for Dallas to win over the Heat because I don't like them, plus I would like a little revenge for my Pistons. So, if that makes me a Mavs fan, then great!

I agree that I think Dallas can win it. I think too that they are the better team. Dirk can go aggressively to the rim and I have seen some evidence of it these games. But, I do think that Miami has been doing at least a decent job of guarding Dirk because he does not seem to be as able to be as tough as he usually is around the basket.(Although I think he came up with 30 points, last time) Perhaps that is my mistake, but that is the way it seems to me.

Jason Terry has been a little more free to shoot as he might like. Josh Howard is doing better too since the first game and came up decent last time with 20+ points. Everyone else on Dallas' team is volume shooters to me. I agree with you about their free throwing too. Aren't they at least close to the top in that department?

I definitely like the way they have improved their defense and wonder sometimes if we would have gotten by them. We are tough on rebounds (usually), but so are they when they are playing their best. We can defend well otherwise, but during these Finals, the Mavs have been very good for the most part at it too. They got by the Spurs, one of this league's toughest team. They might have gotten by us too. But, I guess we will never know now!

[DubMcDub]

These are minor corrections here and then I will go on with my comments. Antoine Walker and Jason Williams play for Miami, not Dallas; and secondly I am primarily a Pistons fan. I am rooting for Dallas to win over the Heat because I don't like them, plus I would like a little revenge for my Pistons. So, if that makes me a Mavs fan, then great!

He was speaking figuratively, saying that Williams and Walker are the best players for the Mavericks because they're so unclutch and throw up a lot of horrible shots.

[East Coast Babe]

He was speaking figuratively, saying that Williams and Walker are the best players for the Mavericks because they're so unclutch and throw up a lot of horrible shots.

Okay, I get it now. Sorry!

[Mavs<Spurs]

He was speaking figuratively, saying that Williams and Walker are the best players for the Mavericks because they're so unclutch and throw up a lot of horrible shots.

Thank you.
I expected everyone to get it.


Antoine Walker only shoots the ball as often as he has it.

Game 7 in the Finals is tied, Walker's got the ball, 22 seconds left on the shot clock and the game clock, he's triple teamed from 40 feet away, he heaves it

Watch out, incoming!!! He's in the construction business. Only way I can figure that he comes up with all of these bricks.

That's what I'm saying.