Dirk Nowitzki scored 12 straight points at the end of the game, and Dallas outscored Miami in the second half – but the Miami Heat, ever the fierce competitors, pulled out the victory on the road. With the 88-86 win over Dallas, Miami takes a crucial 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Since the 2-3-2 format began in the Finals in 1985, 100-percent of teams winning Game Three after splitting the first two have gone on to win the championship.
Miami played their best offense in the first half, rather than down the stretch. This advantage turned out to be the difference as Dallas gained a small second half scoring advantage. The story was all about Dwyane Wade, who went for 29 points and 11 rebounds, most of which came in the first half.
Once again, the game took on a very familiar story line – Miami leading most of the game and Dallas scrapping to stick around and keep the game close. The Heat’s biggest lead came in the second quarter, as they went up 14 points. Dallas continued, however, to make short bursting runs and eventually closed the gap.
With 1:39 remaining Nowitzki made a 13-foot jumper to tie the game at 86. But that would be the last points the Mavericks scored in this game. With 39.6 seconds remaining in the fourth, LeBron James made a great pass to an open Chris Bosh, who netted the 16-footer from the corner to put Miami up for good.
Bosh had 18 points for Miami in the victory, while James had 17 with nine assists, and Mario Chalmers added 12 important points off the bench. All four of Chalmers’ field goals were from 3-point range (4-6).
Dirk Nowitzki had 34 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in a losing effort for the Mavericks. Jason Terry added 15 points, and Shawn Marion added 10 for Dallas. Jason Kidd also played well notching nine points, six rebounds, and 10 assists.
The series stays in Dallas for Game Four on Tuesday night at 9pm.
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