The heat’s on Miami now

Mavericks take Game 5, are one win from NBA championship

Associated Press

DALLAS

Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks finally have the lead in these ultra-close NBA finals, and now it really is “now or never” for LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Nowitzki scored 29 points, driving for the go-ahead dunk with 2:45 remaining, and the Mavericks beat the Heat 112-103 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA finals.

Five years after going up 2-0 on the Heat, the Mavs finally got that elusive third victory, and can wrap up their first championship in Game 6 at Miami on Sunday night.

James, who called this game “now or never,” responded from his worst playoff performance with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and Dwyane Wade battled through a sore left hip after a first-quarter collision to finish with 23 points.

Dallas players have been saying for days that they have yet to play their best game. They also had yet to play with the comfort of having the lead most of the night.

They did both this time.

Although things were tense at times — especially when they trailed 100-97 with 3:38 left — this veteran club just did what it had been doing all game, hit 3-pointers.

Jason Terry nailed the first to tie it at 100. After a dunk by Nowitzki put Dallas ahead — for good, as it turned out — Jason Kidd started stretching the lead with a 3-pointer and Terry followed with another, punctuated by his traditional flying jet pose in honor of his nickname and his initials: JET.

The Mavericks wound up closing the game on a 15-3 run. They became the first team this series to win consecutive games.

So, how did they treat the most significant win in franchise history? Mildly, as has been their tradition this postseason.

Nowitzki put his arms up toward the bench, but hardly smiled. No, it wasn’t the lingering effects of his sinus infection. It was the unfinished business of having 15 playoff wins, when they need 16.

After all, Boston held a 3-2 lead over the Lakers last year, only to blow it. Overall, 19 of the 26 teams that have led a finals 3-2 have gone on to be crowned champs, including Miami in ’06.

Fans certainly weren’t subdued.

The 52nd and final home game this season was the most raucous yet, with repeated chants of “Beat the Heat” for the time all series. They also screamed “MVP” every chance they had for Nowitzki.

Now they’re hoping for one more gathering at the American Airlines Center — with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.