Mattie T’s Game 1 Recap of the 2006 NBA Finals

The Dallas Mavericks used a great 36 minutes of defense and a big game from Jason “The Jet” Terry to win Game 1 of the Finals 90-80 over the Miami Heat. Miami got out to a quick start, taking a 31-23 lead into the 2nd quarter after Antoine Walker hit a 3 pointer off a Dallas turnover in the waning seconds of the 1st quarter.

From that point on, Dallas dominated the rest of the game.

Jason Terry scored 12 of his game-high 32 points in the 2nd quarter, and Dirk Nowitzki’s jumper with the time expired put Dallas ahead 46-44 heading into the locker room. Miami kept it close in the 3rd qtr, but Dallas pulled away in the final 12 minutes with the type of defense that has gotten them just 3 wins away from their first ever NBA Championship. Jason Terry was the high man for Dallas with 32 points on 13 of 18 shooting. Dirk Nowitzki added 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals despite shooting 4 of 14 from the field, and Jerry Stackhouse added 13 points off the bench.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, but do note that Wade also had 5 turnovers. Shaquille O’Neal finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Shaq struggled all game from the foul line missing 8 of 9 shots. Antoine Walker also added 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Antoine also had a high turnover game with 6, and he also missed 12 of his 19 shots. (Almost half of his attempts were on three’s, which is not the Antoine Walker that all of us saw against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals.) Here are some things that both teams will need to do a better job at heading into Game 2 on Sunday Night:

Heat: Convert your free throws.

Miami shot a horrendous 7 of 19 from the free throw line, highlighted by Shaq’s 1 of 9 effort. Bad free throw shooting also cost them Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Detroit.

Get better bench support.

Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, and James Posey combined scored just 2 points on 1 of 8 shooting. Miami must get better production from their bench to match the great depth of Dallas’ bench, which outscored Miami 24-2, led by Stackhouse’s 13 points.

Mavericks: Cut off the driving lanes and make the Heat score baskets with contact.

I thought that Dallas gave Miami way too many uncontested layups and dunks tonight, even though they came out with the win. Dwyane Wade was driving to the basket at will in the 1st quarter, so the Mavs will have to step up and try to alternate Wade’s decision-making as he drives to the basket.

Take better care of the basketball.

Dallas could’ve actually put this game away in the 3rd quarter, but 6 offensive turnovers kept Miami in the game. Dallas finally pulled away around the 2:30 mark in the 4th quarter. Don’t try to force anything, just look for the best option available and get off a high-percentage shot. Josh Howard had nearly half of the team’s turnovers, commiting 5 out of the 14 total times Dallas coughed it up.
Game 2 is on Sunday night at 8 PM on ABC. Will the Miami Heat earn a split heading back home to South Beach, or will the Mavs again take care of homecourt and take the 2-0 series lead? Tune in on Sunday Night to watch the Finals on ABC!

Signing Off,

Mattie T

New Sports Writer for BMS-Radio Chicago

www.myspace.com/bmsradio