Dallas Maverics earning a 3-2 lead after winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals by a 112-103 score.
On top of that? The hope is that this is Dallas' version of a one-sided win, before we settle in for two more games. In a series where both teams have played each other to a near tie, overall, this was Dallas' nine-point answer to Miami's eight-point win in Game 1.The difference was defense, and the fact that Dallas just nailed a litany of tough, "ga'head and take it," shots. James' fourth quarter three-pointer clang was the wrong call, and you hated to see him happy to stay off the ball in the first half, but you can't pin this entirely on the deservedly-beleaguered star.
No, this was in Dallas' hands, as they lined up to spin in 13 three-pointers in 19 attempts (68 percent) and 52 percent of their two-point makes. Miami screwed up in its communication at times, leaving Mavs alone in delayed transition and failing to take away three-pointers (though they did close out properly and contest well) on several attempts, but you have to hand it to Dallas for rising to the challenge that comes with being favored, at home, while being asked to do what's expected against an opponent that has a way of destroying all reasonable expectations.
Dirk Nowitzki, free from obvious sniffles and biding his time in the offense as usual, dropped 29 points while hitting all 10 of his free throw attempts. And while he was rock, Mavs guards Jose Juan Barea andJason Terry(notes) were the deciding factors, putting Dallas over the top in a way that Miami just could not counter. Despite, upon first glance, smart and desperate close-out defense.
i'll go for dallas!
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