Dirk fought hard in the 4th Quarter, and the Mavs outscored the Heat 21-9 in the final 10:12 for an 86-83 victory. He looked fatigued for the majority of the game, but there was no question that he would play. Looking like he could barely catch his breath, Dirk was able to tie the Finals at 2 games each.

The grueling Heat defense held Dirk and Co. in check for most of the night, but the Mavs did not give in. Lebron mentioned in a Game 3 post game interview that the reason he wasn’t putting up higher offensive numbers is because he is taking a back seat to Wade in crunch time. Lebron stated that he felt his defense speaks for itself, and that is one thing I have to agree with. Lebron has done a phenomenal job on defense throughout the series, but I keep questioning him during the 4th quarter. If he is really the King, or wants the reputation the media has been handing him for the past 7 years, he needs to step up late in the game.

Nowitzki’s performance was far from Jordan-esque, but he did it the Jordan way, by silencing his opponent with his late game heroics. Dirk shot just 6-19, but hit 9-10 of his free throws, playing a large factor in the Mavs staying with the Heat throughout the game. Dirk finished the game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 turnovers, while playing 39 minutes.

On the other end of the floor, the Big 3 didn’t seem like the same 3 we saw in the Miami victories. Though Bosh and Wade combined for 56 points on 22-39 shooting, we did not see much of them when it mattered most. Chris Bosh didn’t score for the last 6:54 of the game, missing 2 field goals, 2 crucial free throws, and stepping out of bounds right before the Mavs started its run. Lebron had another sub-par offense performance, shooting 3-11, and only making 4 trips to the line. The most action seen from Lebron in Game 4 was his relentless attempt to draw a foul every time he got the ball. Lebron had more flops in the game than the entire Scary Movie saga.

What was most surprising about coming into Game 4 was not Lebron James being criticized for his lack of offense in the 4th. It wasn’t Chris Bosh being looked at as a Finals MVP candidate because of 1 shot. It was the trash talk coming from the Mavs. Usually a team full of players who keep to themselves and shies away from celebrations, Jason Terry made a guarantee that there would be a Game 6 in Miami (This is the same player that got a tattoo of the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy on his right bicep). Terry held true to his word, and capped the game off with 2 clutch free throws with 6.7 seconds left.

The scary reality that Miami faces is that Dallas has not played its best game yet. Yes, the past 3 games have proved that the Mavs can strike at any time, but we have yet to see them play a consistent 4 quarters. If the Mavs do end up winning this series, Game 4 will be remembered as Dirk’s fever.

Thanks again John Roman for contributing this article.

Photo Credits:
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using these photographs, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Jason Terry Photo – Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
LeBron James Photo – (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Maybe it was fatigue. Maybe it was a change in momentum. Hell, maybe it was Lebron repetitively punching Wade in the chest with 5 minutes left. Whichever the Miami excuse, NBA fans cannot deny that this is one of the greatest NBA Finals playoff comebacks in recent memory. Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and Dirk combined to shoot 7-8 during the last 5 minutes and 45 seconds of the game. Miami shot 1-10 during this same stretch, including going 1-5 beyond the arc during the last 1:31 of the game.

Why did Miami insist on shooting so many 3s within the final minutes of the game? Was it because its players wanted to put the final dagger in the bruised up bodies of the aging Mavs? Maybe. But I have more reason to believe it was because the only thing the Heat players cared about was how to celebrate after the game.

Lebron, the proclaimed King, only managed to score 2 points during the final quarter Thursday night. (It’s not too late for Scottie Pippen to take back what he said about Lebron having a chance to be a greater player than MJ, as he was most likely caught up in the moment. I don’t think Jordan would have had this kind of playoff performance, especially in front of a home crowd).

The Heat led by as many as 15 during the 4th quarter, but the Mavs roared back. Dirk, Kidd, Marion, and Peja all realize that this may indeed be their last chance to win a ring. If you have watched this team during the playoffs, it’s hard to root against them. The 2011 Dallas Mavericks are one of the most resilient teams we have seen in the playoffs during the past 15 years. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Dirk is the main reason for this.

The Mavericks have proved the doubters wrong throughout the playoffs. One can argue that this team has been the underdog during each of the series it has played. It took Dallas 6 games to finish off the Blazers and many critics were discrediting the team’s series win (especially when it blew a 23 point lead in Game 6). But, Dallas shocked the world when it swept the defending 2 time champion Los Angeles Lakers. In that series, Dirk proved to have plenty of gas left in the tank, and Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic made 3 point shooting look easy (15-16 in Game 4), as the Lakers went home fishing.

The Thunder, who, behind the Lakers, many analysts were proclaiming the 2nd best team in the West for most of the season. Dirk and Company proved that the first 2 rounds of the playoffs were no fluke, and took the series in 5 games. Dirk made one ridiculous shot after the other in Game 5, and as he held that Conference Title Trophy above his head in front of the hyped Dallas crowd, we all were thinking the same thing. How good is this guy? Sure enough, the next week was full of debate, with each basketball analyst giving an opinion on Dirk. Some were calling him the most clutch player in the NBA, others were comparing him to Larry Bird. Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle went as far as to proclaim him a top 10 player of all time.

The biggest question that I had was where Dirk was during this time. After hoisting the Western Conference trophy with little enthusiasm, the Mav players quickly exited off the floor. Reporters were looking all over for them in hopes of getting an interview. When later questioned about the lack of celebration, Dirk responded, “All that celebration stuff. This is not what I play for, bro.”

Special thanks to John Roman for his first contributed article to MikesPickz

Photo Credit (both images via ESPN.com):
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using these photographs, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns today for a chance to make it to the Finals and repeat as champs. Both teams were coming off of sweeps in the previous rounds and both were playing great basketball. In a high scoring game the Lakers were able to win by a score of 128 to 107. My original prediction of Suns in six, didn’t look too good today, but I’m sticking with it. With Lopez returning for this series, I like the Suns with the upset – especially if Nash plays like he did against the Spurs.

The first thing that must be considered is talent. Does Stoudemire bring more talent than what the Cavs currently have at the position? The answer to this question is absolutely yes. Stoudemire averages 21.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1 APG, 1 BPG. Currently, the Cavs have Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaq at center. The Big Z averages 7.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.7 APG, .75 BPG and Shaq averages 11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 BPG, so clearly Stoudemire is a step-up from both of them, not to mention he is younger and more athletic.

Verdict: Make the trade

The second thing that must be considered is team chemistry. The Cavs have the best record in the NBA by two full games over the L.A. Lakers and they are on a 13 game winning streak. It seems that the Cavs are doing just fine with what they have. But, last season the Cavs had the best record in the NBA heading into the playoffs and they didn’t win the Championship, in fact they didn’t even make it to the NBA Finals. Nothing has happened in Stoudemire’s career to make someone believe that he will hurt the chemistry and therefore I don’t see his presence being a problem. In fact, he has played with Shaq in the past and they didn’t have any problems.

Verdict: Make the trade

Let’s take a look back at last season’s playoff match-up against the Magic. The player that destroyed the Cavs was Dwight Howard, the Cavs didn’t have anyone that could match-up against him down in the post. This year the Cavs have Shaq, although he is not as athletic as Howard, he is much more physical than Anderson Varejao and Ilgauskas. Stoudemire is not known for his defense, but he is a solid rebounder that will definitely improve the Cavs front-court.

Verdict: Make the trade

Clearly, the Cavs should do everything they can to make this trade. Not only will it improve them for this season, but it almost guarantees that LeBron will stay in Cleveland after this season (I’m tired of hearing him going to the Nets- they have 4 wins and he wants a ring, he has already rebuilt a franchise. It is time for a ring).

With a starting line-up of LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Parker and Mo Williams (sorry J.J. Hickson but your stat line of 7.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, .3 APG, .4 BPG in 54 games [48 starts] is demoted to the bench), the Cavs will be in the NBA Finals this season and they will be hoisting the trophy when the Finals are over.

Even without Stoudemire, you have to like their chances to make and win the Finals. This season they are 4-0 against the Lakers and Magic (both teams in last year’s Finals).

Now you have heard my opinion, but do you think this trade is the right move?