The matchup for the 2011 NBA Finals is set. The Dallas Mavericks are up against the Miami Heat for the title. This should be a good series, considering that both teams have a strong desire and determination to win it all.Mavs:
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Peja Stojakovic have each played more that 10 seasons in the NBA, picking up All-Star honors along the way but no championships.
Caron Butler is injured, but the 2-time All-Star might be back for the series. Jason Terry, who has played in the league since 1999 and has been with the Mavs since 2004, had the Larry O'Brien trophy tattooed on his arm before this season started. Point guard JJ Barea has also been playing well this postseason.
Caron Butler is injured, but the 2-time All-Star might be back for the series. Jason Terry, who has played in the league since 1999 and has been with the Mavs since 2004, had the Larry O'Brien trophy tattooed on his arm before this season started. Point guard JJ Barea has also been playing well this postseason.
They also have many other veterans who are hungry for a championship including Brendan Haywood (a respectable center who can really contribute), Tyson Chandler (who was named to the All-Defensive 2nd Team this season), Brian Cardinal (he doesn't get a lot of playing time, but I'm sure he'd love a championship), and DeShawn Stevenson (a great role player who can contribute without scoring and is my favorite active NBA player).
Heat:
LeBron James has been arguably the best player in the league for years now, but has been highly criticized for not winning a championship yet. Chris Bosh is a 6-time All-Star who left the Raptors to try to win a title with Miami. Dwyane Wade has already won a championship, but has made it clear that he wants more.
James Jones, who won the 3-Point Shootout this season, lit up the Celtics this postseason for 25 points one game. Can he pull off a big performance like that in the Finals? Joel Anthony has started at center for the Heat for the last 7 games and has played a key role in Miami's postseason success. Mike Bibby's best years are behind him, but he has started every game of the playoffs for the Heat at point guard. Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers have also helped Miami out this postseason.
Stats and Comparisons: I shall now analyze this year's Finals matchup from a historical and statistical standpoint.
-When matched up against each other in the Finals in 2006 (neither team has been in the Finals any other time), the Heat beat the Mavs 4 games to 2.
-This postseason, the Mavs have averaged higher team averages in points, assists, and steals while the Heat have higher averages in rebounds and blocks. The Mavericks also have higher percentages than the Heat in free throws, 3-pointers, and field goals.
-The Heat had 3 players (Bosh, Wade, and James) selected as All-Stars this season, while the Mavericks had 1 player (Nowitzki).
-Miami has 6 players players who have been All-Stars (Howard, Ilgauskas, Magloire, James, Wade, & Bosh), while Dallas has 5 players (Kidd, Nowitzki, Stojakovic, Marion, & Butler)
-The Heat had a better regular season record than the Mavs.
-The Heat and the Mavs each have the same postseason record this season (12-3).
-Both coaches have never coached any championships.
-This season, the Mavericks beat the Heat in both of their regular season meetings.
-The Heat have never won a championship without Shaquille O'Neal, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Derek Anderson, Earl Barron, Michael Doleac, Shandon Anderson, Jason Kapono, Gary Payton, Wayne Simien, Dorell Wright, or Jason Posey on their roster. Their only player left from the Miami Heat's only championship run is Dwyane Wade.
I've analyzed the history and statistics of both teams and I have came to a conclusion about which team I think will win.
Here is my prediction: The Mavericks will beat the Heat in 6 games.
Have any thoughts on the Finals this season? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.
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