“Upsetting,” the Mavs’ Tyson Chandler said.
“A turning point,” teammate Jason Terry said.
“I don’t think it’s an issue,” LeBron James said.
The Heat had come so far, so fast, and now here was the moment when it all came unglued, when they went right back to their worst tendencies. Oblivious. Cocky. Just unnecessary. When they play hard they reach seemingly unattainable heights. When they think things will be easy, even for just a moment, they can crater out with unfathomable fury.
One ill-timed congratulatory act didn’t just light a fire under a Mavericks team that was fading fast. The Heat fueled the blaze with a final seven-minute horror show of ugly offense, worse defense and mental mistakes after fundamental breakdowns. Dallas closed on a 22-5 run, sucker-punching the dazed, confused Heat, 95-93 to even the series 1-1 Thursday night.
Yahoo! – Taunting or not, Heat fire up Mavs
I'll be honest… I don't think Wade's antics (above video) are that bad. But I wasn't sitting on the Mavs bench watching it right in my face.
Too bad I missed it all, because David Stern is a slave to the networks.
I missed Dallas outscoring Miami 22-5 over the final 7 minutes.
I missed Dirk Nowitzki scoring the Mavs final 9 points, including two buckets with his injured left hand.
I missed the closer – LeBron James – brick a pair of 25-footers in the final minutes because the Heat offense reverted back to its early season form.
I missed Chris Bosh choking. A 4-16 shooting performance and his refusal to foul Dirk before the game winning shot even though Miami had a foul to give.
Was this an epic comeback that permanently swings momentum to Dallas?
Ich hoffe es.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Shaq was positive for Garnett | Globe – Former teammates give praise to Shaq | Herald – That's a wrap, Shaq? | CSNNE – Shaq: When will we see him again? | Yahoo! – Nowitzki saves Mavs |
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