NBA Finals Prediction

Tonight marks the beginning the NBA Finals. The matchup is between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat. The Mavs got here by sweeping the Grizzles. They then took care of the Spurs in 7. In the Western Conference Finals they slowed down the Phoenix Suns in 6. The Heat held off the Bulls in 6. Then they crushed the Nets in 5. In the Eastern Conference Finals they dethroned the Pistons in 6. The Mavs showed they can win on the road, they can win a defensive battle, and they can win a speed game. They are playing with the best player on the planet right now. Dirk is taking care of business and he is looking like a guy hungry for a championship. He has finally put the Mavs on his back and carried them. Now the Heat on the other hand have coasted through playoffs a little bit. They had a blowout loss on their home-court to start the second round of the playoffs.

Let me just remind everyone that The Closer and Saved both start in 4 days. I’m very excited.
Before I pick my champion I will compare the two teams.

Offense
The Mavs have the best player on offense. However, the Heat have Shaq. This guy can still put up 22-10, but he isn’t the same Shaq that he used to be. He isn’t far from what he used to be, but he is just mortal enough. The Heat also have DWade. He has stepped up in the playoffs this year. The Mavs have averaged over 102 PPG when the Heat scored only 97.5. I like the way the Mavs move the ball on O and like their offense over the Heat.
Advantage: Dallas

Defense
This edge clearly goes to the Heat. Shaq can still hold down the fort in the paint. They have James Posey who is an excellent one on one defender. And their team defense is better than the Mavs.
Advantage: Heat

Bench
The Mavs have more versatile players coming off the bench. While the Heat have ‘ZO, Posey, and Payton, the Mavs have Stackhouse who can score, Devin Harris’ speed, and Griffin and Dampier to defend and crash the boards.
Advantage: Dallas

X-Factor
Dallas has Stackhouse. He needs to play well in order for Dallas to truly dominate.
Miami has Walker. If he is able to hit his 3’s and help out with the point a little bit.
Advantage: Push

Coaching
Mavs have first full year coach Avery Johnson. He won Coach of the year and led Dallas to the second best record in the NBA. The Heat have Pat Riley. He wanted to take over this year when he replaced half his roster. I think Pat Riley’s experience coaching the NBA Finals will help a little bit, but not enough to give the edge to the Heat
Advantage: Push

Prediction
I liked these two teams at the start of the post-season and now they are set to square off against each other. I’ve liked what the Mavs have done all season long, and I didn’t really think the Heat reached their peak until the final weeks of the season. This has allowed them to reach the finals. This series will be hard fought by both teams as both franchises are making their first Finals appearance. While I think the Heat have the talent to win the series, I think they will come up just short and lose in an exciting game 7 in Dallas. Dirk will be too much for the Heat to handle and think Shaq has lost just too much to lead the Heat past the Mavs.

Once again Saved and The Closer are coming in four days!!!!! Set up those Tivo’s.