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Miami looks to even series at 2-2

by David Pincus
2006-06-15

After a classic Game 3 comeback by Dwyane Wade and the Heat, Miami looks to use the momentum to spur on a Game 4 win. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to win the series. That's what the Heat will try to avoid tonight.

If Miami loses this series, it will certainly be déjà vu from their series with Detroit last year, since injuries may once again be a deciding factor. Dwyane Wade's knee is apparently all right and he will be able to start. However if he's double-teamed it'll be hard for Wade to get off open shots.

Shaq doesn't need a great game, although he definitely needs a quality one. Knowing Avery Johnson, the Dallas defense probably won't allow Wade to go off like he did in Game 3. O'Neal will at least have to put pressure on the Mavs defenders to double-team him, so that the others will have open shots.

Dallas just has to mimic their last performance and hope that their stars show up. Stackhouse and Nowitzki never really got it going, although Dirk had a spurt early in the 4th. If they can be slightly more consistent throughout then they should be in it at the end.

Game 3 was the first playoff game where they didn't outrebound their opponent. Miami had 16 offensive rebounds, which gave them numerous chances to score. If Dallas can win on the boards, then Miami will be in trouble.

Diop and Dampier combined for 14 points and 13 boards in Game 3, while Shaq had 16-11. If Miami truly wants to have a chance, their has to be a larger discrepancy between the Mavs center's and Shaq. If Diop and Dampier continue to chip in, it'll only be more points on the scoreboard for Dallas.

Through three games it's clear that Dallas is the deeper, fresher, better-run team in this series. The one thing Miami has going for them is Dwyane Wade. The best two players this postseason have been Nowitzki and Wade. On Tuesday, Dwayne won the battle. Whoever wins it tonight could give their team a W.