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Mavericks top Heat for first NBA title, Nowitzki MVP
Updated: 2011-06-13 11:19
(Agencies)
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Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki celebrates after making a three pointer against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Miami, June 12, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
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DallasMavericks small forward Shawn Marion goes to the basket against the Miami Heat during Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Miami, June 12, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
MIAMI - The Dallas Mavericks ended three decades of frustration by capturing their first championship with a 105-95 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday to win the best-of-seven NBA Finals 4-2.
Veteran guard Jason Terry came off the bench to score 27 points and lead a long-range assault by the Mavericks, who connected on 11 of 26 from beyond the arc.
"This team never gave up when faced with adversity -- always responded," said a jubilant Terry.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, the MVP of the series, had an off-night, scoring 21 points but shooting only nine of 27 from the floor.
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2011 MVP Dirk Nowitzki |
"I still really can't believe it," said Nowitzki. "We worked so hard and so long for it.
"The team has been on an unbelievable ride through so many ups and downs and always staying together and working. I still can't believe it."
"To our fans who came here to Miami ... We heard you," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told the crowd after the game. "You rock."
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."
Factbox on the Dallas Mavericks
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* The Mavericks were admitted to the NBA in 1980. Dallas had previously played host to the Chaparrals in the now-defunct American Basketball Association but they moved to San Antonio in 1973 and became the San Antonio Spurs. * The Mavericks were initially placed in the Western Conference's Midwest Division and failed to make the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. * They made the playoffs six times in seven seasons from 1984 and won their first divisional title in 1987, but went through a lean streak in the 1990s, failing to reach the playoffs for an entire decade. * Boosted by the signings of Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash, they ended their long drought and returned to the playoffs in 2001. They have made them every year since. * In 2004-05, they moved to the newly created Southeast Division and enjoyed even greater success after Avery Johnson took over as head coach. |
* In 2006, Dallas won the Western Conference for the first time but lost the NBA Championship final to Miami Heat 4-2 after leading 2-0. |
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