Mattie T’s Game 5 Recap of the 2006 NBA Finals

In one of the most exciting and epic Game 5’s in NBA Finals History, both teams traded blow-for-blow trying to leave Miami with a 3-2 series lead.

One big mistake however, would decide the game. In a thrilling game that featured so many momentum-shifting plays, the Miami Heat won a thrilling Game 5 101-100 over the Dallas Mavericks in overtime on a game winning free throw from Dwyane Wade.

Miami is just 1 win away from capturing their first ever NBA Championship. Dallas got off to a quick 11-5 start, prompting an early timeout from Heat Coach Pat Riley. Miami then went on a 10-0 run, and ended the first quarter with a 24-21 lead. Dallas had a huge second quarter though, using a 30-19 advantage to take a 51-43 lead at halftime.

Why is it key that Dallas was winning at the half? Because Miami is 0-7 this season in the playoffs when trailing at halftime. Now, you would think the odds for Miami would not be very favorable to win this critical Game 5, right?

In the third quarter, Miami used a big 7-0 spark to cut the Dallas lead to 1, a 71-70 lead entering the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter provided so many lead-changing baskets and huge possesions. But with the game on the line and a possibilty of the Heat going back to Dallas down 3-2, we saw three huge shots that would quickly change the momentum of the game with each basket.

After Heat guard Gary Payton hit a high-arching layup over Mavs’ center Erick Dampier to tie it at 91, Mavs’ forward Dirk Nowitzki delivered a beautiful feed to center Erick Dampier who dunked it home for a 93-91 Dallas lead with 9.3 seconds left. Wade banked in a 10 footer from the left baseline that tied the game at 93 all with 3.4 seconds left in regulation.

On the Mavs’ last possesion, Jason Terry put up an 18 footer from the free throw line over 3 Heat players that fell short and forced overtime. In overtime, both teams would continue to slug it out as we saw several lead changes in the final 5 minutes. Josh Howard missed two critical free throws in the final 40 seconds in overtime that could’ve gave Dallas a 3 point lead. (80% free throw shooter coming into Game 5.)

Dirk Nowitzki hit a huge jumper in the face of Shaquille O’Neal to give Dallas a 100-99 lead.
With 10.1 seconds left in Miami’s final home game of the season, Dwyane Wade took it upon himself to make sure every fan in the arena (except for anyone in a Mavs jersey, of course) went home happy.
Wade was able to get past 3 Mavs defenders and draw a big foul that would send him to the line with Miami trailing 100-99 with 1.9 left in OT. Wade hit the first free throw, then something happened that would end up deciding the game. Josh Howard inexplicably called a timeout after Wade tied the game at 100.

Mavericks coach Avery Johnson explained after the game that Dallas was trying to get the timeout call after Wade’s second free throw. However, the officials went with Howard’s request, as it happened first before Avery Johnson’s plea to save the timeout call until after the second foul shot.

Why was this timeout call so big?

Dallas had just used their final timeout, which means that they could not move the ball the mid-court for the final possesion of the game, no matter if Wade missed or hit the second free throw.

Wade connected on what would turn out to be the game winning free throw to give Miami a 101-100 lead. Mavericks guard Devin Harris then raced upcourt and threw up a desparation shot that hit the top of the backboard as time expired.

Truly, another heartbreaking loss for the Mavericks in a game that they should’ve won.

Now, their season is on the line as the series moves back to Dallas for Game 6 on Tuesday.

One key note to point out as Game 6 approaches: In Miami’s 3 wins so far in this series, they have averaged 99 points a game. In their 2 losses, they have averaged just 82.5 points a game.

Now, let’s look at the top performers in Game 5:

Once again, Dwyane Wade led the way for the Heat. Wade scored 43 points, with nearly half of them coming off free throws as he set a Finals record for most free throws hit in a game with 21.

Dwyane Wade becomes the first player to have two 40 pt games in the NBA Finals since his teammate Shaquille O’Neal did it with the 01-02 Lakers. O’Neal’s L.A. Lakers went on to sweep the New Jersey Nets (current Mavs forward Keith Van Horn was on the Nets roster) in four games for their third consecutive title.

If the Dallas Mavericks want to win Game 6 and force a Game 7 on Thursday, they will definitely have to develop a gameplan to slow down Wade. In the past 3 games, Wade has put up 121 points, giving him a robust average of 40.3 PPG during Games 3-5 in Miami. Wade is averaging 34.4 PPG in the Finals.

Shaquille O’Neal added 18 points and 12 rebounds. O’Neal has not scored 20 points or more since Miami’s Game 6 clincher in the Eastern Conference Finals on June 2nd against Detroit, when he scored 28.

James Posey was the only other Heat player in score in double-figures, adding 10 points and 6 rebounds. Miami attempted 49 free throws in Game 5, which will definitely be a highly-discussed topic by Maverick Fans heading into Game 6 on Tuesday.

Dallas was led by Jason Terry’s 35 points. Terry had a huge game as he provided the Mavs with his second 30+ pt effort of the series. Dirk Nowitzki added 20 points and 8 rebounds despite shooting 8-19 (42%) from the field.

Nowitzki however made some great decisions down the stretch in the game, despite again missing another huge free throw in crunch time. Josh Howard added 25 points and 10 rebounds, as Dallas lost their 2nd consecutive game when Howard scores 20 points or more. They had won 25 straight games this season, a streak that ended in Game 3 when Howard scored 21 points in Dallas’ 98-96 loss.

Jerry Stackhouse’s suspension really hurt the Mavericks tonight though, as their next highest scorer was Devin Harris with 6 points on 2-12 shooting.

The Heat will now fly down to Dallas in hopes of capturing their first ever NBA Championship. However, the Dallas Mavericks feel pretty good about their chances at home. Dallas has won 4 consecutive games at home, with their last loss coming on May 24th, a 121-118 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Miami has lost all 3 games in Dallas this season by an average of 20 points per game. Tuesday’s Game 6 will be key for the Heat to try and close the Mavs out, because the numbers in a possible Game 7 are not to their favor.

The road team all-time in the Finals have a 3-13 record in Game 7’s, which includes San Antonio’s Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons in June of 2005. Tune in on Tuesday for Game 6, starting at 8 pm on ABC!

Will the Miami Heat be just 48 minutes away from reaching their destined goal, the 1st ever NBA Championship in Franchise History?

Or will the Dallas Mavericks find a way to get a big win on their homefloor to force a Game 7?

Signing off, Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.myspace.com/bmsradio