NBA Finals 2011: Heat @ Mavs Post Game Four Quotes "A Jordanism"

What the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat said 
after Game 4.

Quotes

Mavericks

Coach Carlisle

(On holding Miami to 14 points in the fourth, and also the effort against LeBron James) "Our team defense has really stepped up in the fourth, which we had to do because we were playing from behind. One of the big things we had to battle was the early problems on the offensive boards. Them getting nine offensive rebounds in the first quarter was killing us. They only got six the rest of the game, which really helped. Look, I mean, they got great players, and those are the guys you have to deal with. And we just try to we've got a team system, and the schemes we're using aren't very complex. It's just all about hard play."

(On rotations and Dirk coughing) "Yeah, he was struggling. He had a fever last night. He didn't participate in shoot around today. He was trying to get rest, because he didn't get much sleep last night. So we knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle in the first half, and we were able to get his minutes to 17 or something, which was a good sign, I thought. And then the second half, after spelling him early briefly, the game goes at three minute stretches. So we're able to get through it. He did everything he could possibly do. The ball was moving to other people. He was creating when he could create. The play he made at the end getting the ball to the rim was a great play. So it's a great win for us, and I love the way he played. Fighting through that was not easy."

(On Crediting: Rick, I know you'll be reluctant to gloss yourself, but that was a hell of a coaching performance. You really had to try a lot of different things from changing the starting lineup, to playing Cardinal, to managing Dirk's minutes, to the zone in the fourth quarter. You really had to empty your coaching playbook today) "Oh, no. Listen, the players play the game. And the guys you put out there, they got to be ready. This time of year we've done a lot of shuffling with the lineup because of the matchups. It's hard. You're talking about two guys with great size, dynamic, athleticism. Three, really, with Bosh. They have other guys that are underrated athletically. Look, everybody has to be ready, and our game has to be a team game. We're not going to outrun or outjump these guys. But we've got to play a sound game, we've got to play a persistent game. It was tough. We had are a lot of shots that were there that didn't go tonight. But the guys kept believing. They kept battling. And then the defense in the fourth held us in and we were able to get out of here alive."

(Yes or no, though? You did coach a hell of a game?) "Who is this guy? (Laughter). Next question."

(On the resiliency and resolve the team continues to show) "Look, we're a tough ballclub. We've been tough all year. We don't have the appearance of a physically bruising type team, but this is as mentally tough a group as I've ever had. I love this team more than any team I've had, because they just what they stand for, how they play together, and how they trust. It can be difficult, because Miami has some guys that make some breath taking plays. Just to keep playing through that and to keep playing through situations where you're missing some shots you normally make, hey, there's some frustration out there, but they stuck together. They kept their energy up. And they found a way."

(On the Bench) "Well, Stevenson off the bench I knew we had to take Marion's minutes down. He can't play 43 minutes. We can't expect him to be down in the stance and picking up James full court and all those kinds of things. Stevenson was great. About the lineup change, I explained to him we needed somebody to be ready to come in fresh and battle Wade or James, whoever happened to be in. If they both happen to be in, you have to get in and take one of them. Kidd was probably going to have to take the other. He's a pro. He just kept himself ready all year. The threes he knocked down in the first half were huge, because we were fighting through some deficits there. And he was one of the guys that set the tone defensively for us in the fourth."

(On Wade) "Well, you know, it's tough. He can knife places and get places and stay in the air and still finish. In the first quarter he was getting offensive rebounds. Again, just trying to adjust to his kind of ability level is something that our whole team has to do, because one guy is not going to stop him. You can't do it. It's not a one man responsibility. It's a team responsibility. When he hit the shot in front of our bench where the shot clock was running down, he had to throw it up there and it went in, that's tough. That's where a team can really get deflated. But the guys hung in. We just kept battling. That's what you got to do in this kind of situation."

(On Dirk) "Well, he's one of the greatest ever. He wants the ball, and he wants the responsibility of winning and losing the game. So we make every effort to put him in those situations. It's not easy, because teams do a great job of trying to deny him the ball. And in those situations, you know, Jason Terry has been one of the best fourth quarter players in the league for a number of years. And Kidd's experience and you know. We're a team that has to find ways. And generally we want to play through Dirk as much as we can."

(On The FLU-game comparisons) "Look, there's some similarities. I think this: You got a guy that's 7 foot, 7'1", there's a different kind of toll that it takes on your body when you're sick. Dirk just ... he did a great job. Everybody could tell looking at him that he labored. But during the time outs he stayed down until the very end, until the horn blew, and he conserved his energy as best as he could. And we did as best as we could. But he made a lot of big plays. He came down with a lot of huge rebounds on the defensive end."

(On Lineupchanges, Terry, Barea) "Well, it changed the dynamics of the rotation. I thought it helped Marion in large part. Look, there's a lot of different things you can do. I'm not going to get into every little thought process. Barea is a guy that we've asked to do this before. He gives us a different dimension with our team. I thought his ball pressure in Game 3 was a big factor when we were trying to come back from a deficit there, and he helps us from the play making side. So I thought he did a good job. His stats don't look great, but his penetration helped us, and his ball pressure helped us. So we'll see what we do in Game 5."

Dirk Nowitzki

(On Fever) "It wasn't 103, but it was like 101 this morning. I didn't really have a good night's rest, so it was just under the weather a little bit, but just battle it out. I think it didn't look good there in the fourth quarter when we were down nine, but energy and defense really picked us up. Didn't shoot the ball well again. Had some good looks there in the fourth, but our defense grinded it out."

(On what other symptoms he had and what's the long term prognosis) "There's no long term. I'll be all right on Thursday. It's a little sinus infection. Hopefully I'll get some sleep tonight. Take some meds and be ready to go on Thursday."

(On his shooting) "Just had a couple couldn't really finish around the rim. Had a couple of good looks today, but just really no lift. But like I said, the crew was outstanding. I thought Jet took it really upon himself today in the fourth when we were down nine. He made two back to back plays to get us right back in the game. So he was phenomenal today."

(On the Layup) "Really, I was going to play the clock down, but I saw I had a little opening there. So I just went for it. I just went for it. Was able to rip through and go to the right. They really played my left, which obviously the whole league does. So I was able to rip through and get to my right and finally finish a lay up. I thought I missed four or five good looks around the rim today. Kind of bounced around, bounced out. So that was unfortunate, but I was able to get one in. So that was good."

(On THE FLU-Game)"You know, this is The Finals. You're going to leave it out there. Like I said earlier in the series, I think everybody [knows] it's June. We've been playing on a high level for eight, nine months. So everybody has a little something going, and this is The Finals. You have to go out there and compete and try your best for your team. So that's what I did. I never thought about MJ's performance. I was way off, looking at my line."

(On Wade missing those free throws and what came after that) "I mean, that was a big free throw. First of all, I think we had a bunch of good looks there. I think Jet had one rattling out from the top of the key. He had one from the right wing, he had one from the left wing. And those are usually money for us in the fourth quarter. Then I think D Steve had one in the left corner, who could have iced it. Wide open look. So we had our good looks. Then Wade had a big run out. And J Kidd was able to get to him and foul him and, you know, the first one kind of bounced up and went in. And the second one a very fortunate roll for us. It was kind of in and rolled out and I was able to get the rebound that led to our last possession. And I was able to get to the rim. Hey, it's been always besides Game 1, all the games are like right there. A couple of bounces, a couple of defensive stops here and there could have gone either way. So we're sitting at a 2-2 right now. Obviously would love to get Game 5 at home before we go back to Miami. So that's a big game for us on Thursday."

(On Wade) "Phenomenal player. He's making tough shots this series from all over the place. He's getting to the rim and finishing like nobody else. Yeah, he's an unbelievable player."

(On Game 5 and the D on Bron) "Yeah, I think our base did a good job helping on the screen and rolls. So that was big. And obviously, yeah, we would love to get Game 5 here. Don't want to go to Miami down 3 2, knowing they have two chances to close us out. Big game Thursday. Like I said, I thought our defense won us the game. To give up 14 points to an explosive team with LeBron, with Bosh and Wade on one team, if you give up 14 points in the quarter to close it out, I think that's huge. So hopefully we can carry that defense over into Game 5, and then we'll see what happens."

(On Rebounding) "First of all, I think they killed us on the glass in the first quarter. I think they had like ten offensive rebounds, or nine. Somewhere around there. And we obviously had to address that. We talked about it in between first quarter and second quarter, how we had to improve in that area. And then I think after that, we did a nice job. They only had a couple more, a handful more for the rest of the game. So that was big. Look, we're not a great rebounding team, so I think we got to have all five guys in there battling. Our go to lineup sometimes is small with Kidd and Jet, one and two. So that means we're small there. We got to have five guys in there battling. We can't have anybody leak out. I think after the first quarter we did a better job protecting the paint and Tyson obviously with 16 boards was phenomenal."

(On Barea and Kidd) "First of all, I think Kidd never ceases to amaze me. He can dominate a game without scoring one point. We've seen it the last three years here together, what kind of all around player he is without even scoring. How he facilitates, how he defends, and how he runs the show is amazing. He's been great. I thought J.J. had some good looks again. But he kept attacking. You have to love the little guy. Fearless. Kept getting in there, had some tough finishes, tough lay ups that went in. We need him to attack off the dribble, because he's good getting to the lane. Once you get to the lane against a team, they really suck in hard and open some of our shooters up. So J.J. has to keep attacking."

Jason Terry

(On Lineupchanges and zone, pulling all the tricks, so to speak) "Those aren't necessarily tricks. It was a situation we didn't want to give them a steady dose of our coverages and man. Dwyane Wade was having a spectacular game. And to change up the pace a little bit, we went to the zone. And it worked out for us. It was successful."

(On his game and the team putting LeBron in witness protection today) "The aggression was there for me personally. And I like that that I was on the attack, which I said I would be. But as far as that relating into baskets, it didn't really happen for me. But again, if I continue to get the looks that I'm getting, I'm going to have some success. I'm going to have to continue to be aggressive and take advantage of my opportunities."

(On strategy changes once Dirk's Illness became known) "Nothing different at all. We knew he was sick at shoot around. He wasn't feeling good. We knew he would be here to play. Dirk has never missed a game because he had the flu or the cold or what have you. So there was no concern and there was no adjustment that needed to be made.

(On James guarding him) "Being aggressive, looking to attack instead of settling for the jumpshot. His length obviously is going to bother me if I shoot it in his face, it's going to be contested. So percentages on those shots are going to go down. But if I can get in the paint and draw the defense and then make the pass or make the shot, then that's going to be advantageous for us. That's something I looked to do tonight."

(On Game 5, Must-Win?) "Same mindset. Game 5 is Game 7 for us. There's no other way. This is the last game in front of our fans at home this season, and we want to go out with a bang."

(On indvidual efforts) "We have to look at the X factors. DeShawn Stevenson for one being taken out of the starting lineup prior to this game. He stayed with it. His confidence was there. He knew where his shots were going to come. And the defensive job he's doing in this series is very underrated. He's having to guard both those guys for the majority of the time. And I think he's holding his own. He's doing an outstanding job. Tyson Chandler what he did on the boards for us was huge. Then getting to the free throw line, stepping up big and making some big free throws there in the fourth quarter was key."

(On a low-scoring game again) " 39% FG, 21% from three. Very uncharacteristic of us. It's just been the way the series has been going. It's not going to be easy. They're a great defensive team. They close out to the shooters very well. We have to keep grinding. Because percentages say it's going to fall in our favor, and we're going to knock down some of those shots."
(On what was said in the huddle down 7 with 9 to go) "As far as in that timeout, we just said, stick with it. It's the same story for us. All four of these games have been close. They've been situations where we have had to come back. We have been down. I would like to see us play from in front. It's not happening, so we're going to continue to grind it out."

(On Dirk reminding the media a little bit of what Jordan overcame some years ago when he was real sick) "Wow. A Jordanism? Really? (Laughter)."

(What do you think?) "I wouldn't quite call it that, but hitting that shot down the stretch was key. It was a similar situation in Game 3. Same one in Game 2. Iso, free throw line, took it to the rack, got it done. Big time."

(No matter how sick he is, is he the guy you want to go to in that situation, no matter what?) "Yes. You have three of us, him, myself, J Kidd, any one of us at the end of the game in those type of situations, we're looking for the moment."

(On attacking LeBron when he left his feet to make those jump passes. Is that something you talked about or just good reads?) " LeBron is so difficult. He can see over the defense. He's having to facilitate a lot of times for his teammates and get them involved. But we're just trying to get our hands up, distract him a little bit and when he puts his second hand on the ball, we're trying to be there to distract him."

(On Marion guarding James) "Phenomenal. Trix is such a key factor of what we have. He's another one that guards LeBron, he guards Wade. He has his hands full. He's getting a little bit of help from Kidd and DeShawn where he can rest a little bit. More important than that, offensively, the way he played in the third quarter getting to the basket, getting some dunks, some tip ins. We need him to do that. When he does that, we take our game to a different level."

Tyson Chandler

(On the win) "It was huge. Early in the day we knew Dirk was battling a fever, and we knew it was going to be a tough win. But we knew we had to give it everything we got, because the worst thing we could do was go in the hole."

(On adjustments after giving up a gazillion offensive Rebounds in the first quarter) "Just doing a better job of boxing out. A lot of times they put so much pressure on you with the dribble penetration that you find yourself ball watching, and we don't get bodies on guys. Just turning around, checking guys out and moving them out so we could get boards."

(On the 21-9 run to close out the game) "It was all about effort. Like I said, we knew that it was going to be a tough night because with the lineup change and then the way Dirk was feeling, that we were going to have to step up. And we were going to have to do whatever it took to get the win. I knew my guys would need more shots tonight. So I tried to crash the boards as well as get out in the lane and run and get some ready baskets."

(On Offense against the Heat) "They're so athletic, it's amazing. Their shot blockers come from the guard and the wing position, from D Wade and LeBron. So as I'm going to the basket, normally you're looking for the big guy coming. You're looking for a guard, because he does a great job of kind of coming in the lane, finding you late. He's one of the more athletic guys in the league."

(On being surprised to get blocked) " No, no. He caught me at a good time the first time. The second time I was making sure either I was going to put the ball on the rim or him. (Laughter)."

(On him jumping off the Bench seeing Haywood struggle) "Yeah. I knew Brendan was trying to gut it out for us and just get out there. I knew that this is The Finals situation, and he really wanted to be out there. I told him before the game, we need you out there, but if you're not healthy enough to compete, then don't go out there. I seen that he was just trying to battle it out, but I told Coach, 'You have to get me back out there. I will play 48 if I need to.'"

(That was your decision?) "Yes, I wanted to go back in the game. I didn't want them they go on those big momentum swings where they put up 15 points in a row, 8 points in the row."

(On the D in the 4th on both sides and what helped overcome it) "Just the will to win. We had a tough time making shots tonight. But our defense kept us in the game. Our scramble, being able to get our hands on deflections, causing them to be scattered and be easy baskets. When you're not shooting the ball well will, you have to find other ways."

(On taking that criticism from the outside (Stepping up) personally and had to get it done in this game?) "I just took it personally because this is The Finals, and I'm going to give it all every second I'm out there. When I saw the man walking today, he was barely able to talk, I knew I had to have a big night. I just told myself what can I do that I haven't been doing of late. And I felt like I can get out and run, open things up, get on some screen and rolls and open myself up on the glass."

(On P'n'R defense) "They put so much pressure on you. Dwyane Wade is unbelievable in the pick and roll. His hesitation, he keeps you off balance. He attacks you, when you retreat. We did a good job of kind of containing him and forcing him into tough shots and shots I felt like they didn't want to take. Even still he hit some amazing shots. He hit one shot, I can't remember what quarter it was, with Shawn Marion all over him. I thought it was a great defensive possession. But it's just the pressure they continue to put on you. But we did a better job tonight of kind of stringing them out and making the rotations."

(Just how sick was Dirk? And what will you remember about what he was able to do under those circumstances?) " I'm just going to remember it's always better when you win, but the effort for him just coming on the floor. The average person, you know, has sick days and battling 100 something (fever), you know. It's just tough to get out of bed. This guy is playing against the best athletes in the world, and he's putting himself out there, because if he has a terrible night, he's going to get criticized about him not making shots and not stepping up in the challenge. But he put all that on the line and he came out there with his teammates."

Shawn Marion

(On such a hard fought win) "We battled. It was a back and forth game there for a while. It seemed like we got some great looks late, and they just weren't going in. But, we stayed aggressive, we stayed persistent. We made sure they didn't get no buckets either. When they ain't scoring, we ain't scoring, and the score stayed pretty much the same. We got some big stops at the end, and pulled it out."

(On LeBron James being held to single digits) "We did a great job. I think our defense has been working pretty well. We just have to make him take tough shots. You keep him from getting those transition breaks and breakaways, and having to take tough fadeaways, it's tough to make those shots."

(On explointing the Miami D) "I'm just attacking. I'm just doing what I do. I get buckets, if I get the opportunity to. That's me being aggressive, and my teammates are looking for me. That's what it is. I'm doing whatever it takes to help this team."

(How sick is Dirk, and is it contagious?) "Man, I don't know. You'd have to ask him that. He said he was sick. At the end of the day, we know he comes to play, and that's all that matters."

(Coach Carlisle said he wanted to cut your minutes a bit tonight. Were you comfortable with not being out there at the end? (Marion played 26 minutes, including being on the bench for almost the entire fourth quarter. He played 43, 41 and 35 minutes in the previous three games)) " Uh, no, but it is what it is. I'm a competitor. I always feel like I want to be on the court. I'll play 48 minutes every night if I have to, if I can. I was a couple of minutes down today, but that's okay. We got the win, and that's all that matters."

(On the Series) "We're feeling very good. We have to come in tomorrow, watch film, of course, see what changes we can make, minor adjustments, and take it from there."

Brendan Haywood

(On getting off the floor after 3 minutes) "The decision wasn't mine, it was my body. The swelling is going down, it's getting better flexibility every day. It's the little things on the basketball court, pushing off. I can't make athletic plays."

(On his hip flexor) "It's a four-to-five-week injury. I'm trying to get out there in four to five days. That's just the situation. It's a little disheartening, but it is what it is."

(On mobilitiy) "When I got on Bosh laterally, I couldn't move. I couldn't move. I could tell it was giving me some problems."

(On playing again) "Right now, I don't know. I don't know. You always want to have hope, but it's just one of those tough things to overcome."

DeShawn Stevenson

(On the Zone and 14 4thQuarter Points for Miami) "I think the zone helped us. We were rebounding well in it. They weren't making shots. It didn't work that well in the first game. If we rebound the ball, make them take tough shots and stop them from making plays in transition, we'll be alright."

(What is it about you guys coming back in the fourth quarter?) " I don't what it is, but we can't expect to play like this the whole series, getting down seven, eight points with four minutes to go. We do a great job coming back, but in terms of wear and tear, it's not good."

(On Lebron being passive) "I think so. Dwyane Wade was having the ball go in the bucket a lot. He's deferring to him a lot. You also have Chris Bosh out there, so it's tough."

(On better offensive balance) "I think we were passing the ball pretty well, had some plays that worked. When we're making shots, it's tough to guard us. I think Jason Terry attacking and finding people, we need him to do that every game. He was knocking down shots, made some key floaters in the fourth, and we need that from him."

(On Dirk) "We found out when shootaround came that he was sick and had a fever. He didn't feel good, didn't go through shootaround. He came today before the game ready, but he was still quiet. I wasn't worried about him. He's going to play through whatever. He's our franchise player. He's playing through a tear in his finger, a lot of other things. I don't think a fever or cold would stop him from going out there and playing."

(On why the zone worked) "I don't think they had the shooters out there, and we were rebounding the ball. If we don't rebound the ball, it's tough to beat them. I think we did that towards the end."

Heat

Coach Spoelstra

(On Dirk sick) "I didn't notice anything different with him. Every time he shoots the ball, you hold your breath. It looks like it's going in, even with our defense."

(On Lebron with 8) "Well, we’ll have to look at film. Obviously, we would like to get him involved."

(On if James is tired) "No, he’s physically fine. I just have to do a better job of making sure he’s in positions where he can be aggressive."

LeBron James & Dwyane Wade

(On his rhythm and the free throws) WADE: "The rhythm just, trying to make plays, maybe get to the basket, make some things happen. I can't shoot the free throw any better than I did. It went in and came out. The basketball gods didn't want it to go in. When you put yourself in a situation where you practice on that moment, you thought about that moment, you go out there and you shoot them like you normally do. That's what I did. It eventually came out. It wasn't because I wasn't ready for the moment or haven't been in that moment. The basketball gods just had other plans."

(On the last play) WADE: " We had many different options to look for. I was denied. I came back off another screen. I saw an opening. Mike threw the ball and I was trying to get to the opening, probably before I caught it. That's how I lost it. Just trying to get the ball back before it went over half court. So obviously we would like better execution. But it was a great pass. I just fumbled it because I was kind of anxious because I saw an opening really fast, trying to get there before I caught the ball. Obviously I would love to have that play back. We would love to have a lot of plays back. It happened. It was unfortunate."

(On his game) JAMES: "Definitely didn't play great offensively. I got to do a better job of being more assertive offensively, not staying out of rhythm offensively the whole game. But I think one thing I try to concentrate is, if I get two guys on me, try to make my teammates better, hit those guys for open looks. They made some great looks, but at the same time I have to keep myself in rhythm while I'm doing that as well."

(LeBron, in the last series when Dwyane said he felt his shot was out of rhythm, he came to the gym extra and shot. What are some of the things you're going to do over the next day and a half to be a better player in Game 5?) JAMES: "You know, with these games, every other day, there's not much gym time you can have. You want to try to stay off your feet as much as possible. If I feel like I need to come to the gym and get some extra shots up, I will. Absolutely just to get my shot back going and my confidence with my shot going. If I feel I need to do that after practice, tomorrow night I will do that."

(On his conficedence in his shot right now) JAMES: "I'm confident with my ability. It's about going out there and knocking them down. When you have the opportunity, you have to knock them down. Your teammates give you the confidence. They give me the confidence all year, all postseason. So I have to go out there and make them count."

(On having to do everything) WADE: "Just trying to make plays. My teammates and my team count on me to be more than one dimensional. So obviously I'm in an offensive rhythm. It's just one side of the ball. On the other end of the floor my matchup is to chase Jason Terry around. I have to do that. If I'm off the ball I try to be more active. Just make plays. Sometimes it results in blocks or steals or rebounds. It's The Finals. You just want to make sure every night you leave the court you feel like you left it all out there. It's not always going to be a positive result, but at the end of the day, if you feel like you left it all out there, you can be satisfied with the result. Obviously we didn't win the game. We had an opportunity. But I felt that we played very hard. We did some of the things that we wanted to do. Too many turnovers in the fourth quarter as a team. Myself, I had two. But we gave ourself a chance. That's the only thing we came here to do."

(Heatfan:  What tha EFF happened?) JAMES: "I don't think anything is commanding in this series. These are two games teams trying to figure out a way to make plays down the stretch. We've seen in this series seven or eight point lead is nothing. You just got to continue to execute offensively, continue to grind defensively. And put yourself in the best possible chance to win late."

(On being defended differently) JAMES: "I think they haven't changed their coverages on me. Me just being more assertive, that's what it's about. I got the ball in the post a few times, and I seen double teams. I tried to kick it out to guys and they've made shots for us. At the same time I can't let that stop my aggression when they bring two on the ball. I still got to make plays for my team, but also make plays for myself to keep me in the rhythm of the game."

(On needing help) WADE: "Obviously, we had opportunity to win the ballgame. The one thing about this series, you see no team is ever safe. When it looks like one team may be in control of the game, the other team comes back. So that's why it's a 48 minute game. Obviously their supporting cast did a good job. They've been getting pounded by you guys for the last 48 hours. So there's a lot of pride. They came out and played well. They had a lot of different guys do a lot of good things. We give them credit where credit is due. But we also learn from it and we will come back and try to get Game 5."

(On 8) JAMES: "I think the fact that it happened in a loss is the anger part about it. That's all that matters to me. If I had had eight points and we won the game, I could be satisfied. I don't really care about that. The fact I could have did more offensively to help our team, that's the anger part about it, and myself. I'll come back in Game 5 and do things that needs to be done to help our team win."

(On bouncing back) JAMES: "We've always been a good bounce back team. Anytime we have a loss or we feel like we could have did better in one game, we've always been able to bounce back. Individuals have been able to bounce back, including myself, D Wade and CB and the guys. We understand it's a golden opportunity. Game 5 we come here and we play as well as we did tonight, we execute a little better down the stretch, we give ourselves a good chance to win Game 5 and go home and be able to close out."

(On the competition between James and Jason Terry) JAMES: "Jason Terry is a great player. When he plays well, Dallas plays well. He's the reason why these guys are in The Finals and that's the reason why he's been one of the top guys and Sixth Man Award every year, because he plays well for this team. It's a good show tonight by both teams. They made one or two more plays down the stretch than we did. We look forward to Game 5, and try to come out here with a win."

Chris Bosh

(On the Loss) "We didn't take care of the ball down the stretch. We had a pretty decent lead going in. Against a team like this when they're playing at home and they're desperate, you have to do we had to do a better job of closing them out. I think they just threw us some different looks. We didn't get into our offensive sets and we didn't take good shots. It was either contested jumpers or we were turning the ball over. And that kind of got the crowd back into it, and it fed their offense."

(On James) "He struggled. Point blank, period. He struggled out there. We've all done that at times in our careers, and it happens. But he's a resilient guy. For this team, I think we're back in our comfort zone we're desperate again. We're going to have to do a better job. And the pressure is on again. This is when we're at our best. And for LeBron, he just has to bounce back and be himself, play his game, and the great player that he is. You know, we know he'll bounce back. And, you know, we need him. So everything else will be fine after that. He just has to go and play."

(On losing leads) "It's not a concern. We just have to take care of the ball. You know what I'm saying? I think we had a lot of turnovers in Game 2 as well. When that happens, especially against a team like this, you can't give them continuous looks. They can't be out in the open court. They're just too good for that all the time. Sometimes we can stop them, but when they have the momentum going for themselves and they have numbers now we're talking about being out of rotation, and now they're getting wide open threes and offensive rebounds. So we just have to take care of the ball down the stretch. We know every game is going to be close, so we just have to keep that in our mind, go back to the lab, watch film, break it down and just keep supporting each other. Now we've got to win two games."

(Dirk had a sinus infection and was battling a big fever. How aware of his illness were you guys? And did you discuss it at all?) "No, there is not an illness report before the game or anything."

(During the game did anybody say he's not 100%?) "No. I've never been out there and somebody pointed and said, he's got a fever. You know what I'm saying? (Laughter)."

(On LeBron for the next day or two before the next game) "When he has laser like focus and he just is who he is, I want to see him aggressive again. Not to say that he was passive tonight, but I think he can turn up his aggression a notch and just really see where he can attack the creases. Because they're really clogging it up, and he's not having his usual free rein. They're making him get off the ball. We have to tighten up our defense. We have to continue to give them one shot and we've got to get out in that open court and get some easy baskets ourselves, and really swing the momentum our way, if we're going to win in this building, whatever day it is, we're going to have to do that. And you know, that's relief for us. We have to keep our minds in it. It's ups and downs of the playoffs. It hasn't stopped yet. We just have to keep going."

Vids

Note:

Lets get technical

Game Recap

Chandler Courtside

Podium

Postgame Yes or no?

Miami

Honest Abe

Kidd

(Look for Bryan G ;)

NBA.com Postgamebits

Dirk | Chandler | Rick | Spo | DWhistle & Bron | Bosh | Terry arenalink |

ESPN Audio

Links

MMB | Rottcap: On Dirk's feverish Shoulders

With a minute to play, the game was stuck with the Mavericks up by two. Kidd fouled Wade hard to prevent a fastbreak dunk, and for once, Wade was un-clutch, missing his second free throw. With a five-second differential between the shot and game clocks, the Heat didn't need to foul. Dallas inbounded the ball and got it right to Dirk, who held it just long enough to make a driving layup with enough time on the board for the Heat to shoot a three for the tie. Rather than shoot a three, Wade waltzed right to the hoop to make it a one-point game.

The Mavs called a time out, and Kidd successfully inbounded the ball to Terry who was fouled. He made both to give the Mavs a three point lead again. The Heat were barely able to get the ball in, and Wade fumbled the pass from Miller. Miller then took a desperation three and missed badly, giving the Mavericks the win and tying the series up at 2-2. All while Dirk was sweating out a fever. What a game. What a team.

Peninsula Is Mightier Another comeback

LeBron James had just 4 points on 4 shots after the first 2 quarters and was going noticeably unnoticed.  You would think that was something that needed to change if Miami was going to pull this game out.  That became especially true in the 2^nd half when the two teams continued to duke it out.  Still, Miami won the 3^rd quarter just like they won the 2^nd, by 2, and we're going to have to allow another Mavs comeback if they were going to lose this one. 

Well, that's exactly what happened. 

NBA.com Feverdraggings

Years from now, when Dirk Nowitzki's exploits as a Dallas Maverick have faded and are just old stories being passed around among folks in this town, the details from Game 4 of the 2011 NBA Finals will be as foggy as Nowitzki's equilibrium was on the court here late Tuesday night.

Battling a relentless Dwyane Wade, a wicked sinus infection and a fever that had his temperature hovering around 101 all day, Nowitzki came through in the clutch yet again to drag the Mavericks out of dust and even this series at 2-2 heading into what has the makings of an epic Game 5 here Thursday.

ESPN Dime Wheeze early, surge late

It would have made for a momentous journal entry from the postseason ride of Dirk Nowitzki's life, except that no one's going to remember this one as a full-fledged Flu Game. Least of all Dirk Nowitzki.

Literally the first smile of Nowitzki's long, clammy, cough-filled night came at the interview podium late Tuesday, when someone asked if No. 41 -- 19 games and 55 days into a magical playoff run already filled with uncomfortable Larry Bird comparisons -- had finally found his inner Michael Jordan.

"Obviously I was way off, looking at my line," Nowitzki said, almost laughing at the question, as well as himself, by the end of his answer.

Jordanesque? Not quite. With Nowitzki stunningly missing 13 of 15 shots in one stretch, Game 4 of the 2011 NBA Finals wasn't exactly Game 5 in Utah in 1997. He never expects to clank like that. Not with a torn tendon in his left middle finger and not even with a temperature that had strayed into triple digits.

ESPN Dallas Tough enough

Statistically speaking, the Dallas Mavericks have pulled off more difficult comebacks during this wild, crazy playoff ride.

This one, however, was all about toughness.

Heat Index: Another Meltdown

"The execution just wasn’t there."

"You have to give them credit."

"That’s uncharacteristic of us."

"We will be better."

Those were the words Heat coach Erik Spoelstra uttered after watching his team collapse in Game 2.

Five days later, Spoelstra sat at the postgame podium following another Heat meltdown and, like a broken record, repeated those very same words. Almost verbatim.

Hoopdata Boxscore  | Notes for Mavs: Heat Playoff Fever

A game like this presents a million possible topics of discussion. I've had the post-game interviews on TV in the background as I write. I think everyone's done a good job of outlining the Dirk drama, marveling at the ACTUAL shrinkage of LeBron tonight rather than the illusory shrinkage from Game Three....and Jason Whitlock just listed the successful coaching moves from Rick Carlisle in a question because he knew Carlisle wouldn't mention those himself (changing the starting lineup, getting Dirk more rest than normal because of the illness at a time when Dallas had been struggling badly whenever he sat, going to the zone in the fourth quarter, leaving Peja on the bench for 99% of the night, etc...). What's missing I think is this:

MIAMI'S POSSESSIONS THE LAST 7 MINUTES
6:50: Bosh misses 18-footer
6:05: Bosh misses 18-footer
5:15: Bosh commits turnover
4:48: Wade commits turnover
4:18: Miller commits turnover
3:33: Miller misses 3-pointer
2:59: Wade misses 24-footer
2:25: James misses 17-footer
2:16: Miller rebounds that miss and misses a layup
1:53: Bosh MAKES two free-throws, thanks to an insane foul from Stevenson on another jumper
1:09: Haslem misses jumper

That takes us to the point on the clock where Miami does get some stuff on the board thanks to a foul on a fast break, and a dunk when Dallas was giving away the inside to make sure Miami didn't shoot a trey.

As we saw in the other collapse, Miami is settling for jumpers. The good news is that the team just didn't run clock then launch a low percentage guarded trey. The bad news if you're a Miami fan is that this team STILL doesn't know how to consistently get points on the board late in close games vs. good teams (beyond hoping that guarded treys go in). The sampling above was very heavy on jumpers and very light on forays to the basket. Yes, Dallas was playing a zone. Zones arent unbeatable!

An advanced Boxscore at Arturo

Tyson Chandler as the Dallas MVP for the game. Marion and DeShawn stepping up. My wife joking that Jason Kidd played like he had money on Miami with those crazy passes. The best basketball player alive looking anything but for yet another finals game (2 for 8 career by my count).

Dirk’s night wasn’t very different from Lebron’s. Except for the fact, that once again, fever and all it got better in the end.

Critical Game 5 coming up.

Paging Lebron James.

SI.com 1984 AGAIN (I'm sure Orwell not sue)

Can Pat Riley get 1984 out of his head? We're not talking about the novel. We're talking about an enduring series that seems to be renewing itself now that the Mavericks have evened the NBA Finals with their 86-83 comeback win in Game 4.

I've mentioned this before, which is OK because Riley has been here before. In '84 his Los Angeles Lakers gave Games 2 and 4 to the Boston Celtics before losing a championship they believe to this day they should have won. Now it's 2011 and Riley -- as team president of Miami -- watched from the stands as his Heat gave away Games 2 and 4 in a series they should be dominating, if not celebrating already.

BDL Battle Flu, tie Heat

From here, the storyline will shift to what will be a beyond-crucial Game 5, still played in Dallas.

From here, though, the storyline will definitely shift to the disappearing act that James gave his team in Game 4.

For now, though, the story is Dirk

Basketballprospectus Plan of Attack

at Dallas 86, Miami 83 (Series tied 2-2)
Pace: 81.0
Offensive Ratings: Dallas 107.7, Miami 101.0

The 2011 Playoffs have, unexpectedly, come to be defined by bad offensive execution late in games. The same issue doomed the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the Chicago Bulls in the East, and it's prevented the Miami Heat from taking control of an NBA Finals series that could easily be over right now.

 

NBAPlaybook Dallas Adjustment? P'n'R without Dirk! | What happened on Miami's last possesion

Going into game four, the Dallas Mavericks were using Dirk Nowitzki as the primary screener whenever they were running a pick and roll when he was on the court.  For whatever reason (maybe it was because Nowitzki was sick, maybe it was because they noticed something on tape), the Mavericks decided to go away from that and run pick and rolls with Nowitzki not involved, standing away from the action.  The results were exactly what the Mavericks wanted:

Trailing by three points with 6.7 seconds left, the Miami Heat were coming out of a timeout looking to tie the game.  After going for the quick two a possession earlier, the Heat needed to go for the tie with no timeouts left.  The play head coach Erik Spoelstra ran was one that would have resulted in a clean look, but some poor execution resulted in a tough contested three from Mike Miller

Refcalls During the Day | Close

Before we feature all of the missed or wrong calls, though, we wanted to feature one play that the refs got right (in our opinion). It was a big one.

With 9 seconds remaining in the game and the Mavericks leading 84-83, it was the inbounds throw-in play by Dallas’ Jason Kidd to teammate Jason Terry into the backcourt.

PBT More than sick | Heat can't survive James | Triple-digits | All eyes now on LeBron

Dirk Nowitzki was an inspiration, a guy with a triple-digit fever hitting what was essentially the game-winning bucket, the dagger shot on a scoop layup with 14 seconds left.

But he’s not why the Mavericks won. Or not primarily.

For the fourth time in the 2011 NBA Finals, the Heat came into the fourth quarter with a big lead. For the second time, they came away with a loss, this time by a final score of 86-83. And for the second time, the Heat’s failure to secure a victory can be traced directly back to the play of LeBron James, who spent the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs clearly establishing himself as both the league and the team’s best player.

Nowitzki scored four of the final six points for Dallas. Two on free throws (although he finally missed one in this series after hitting 39 straight — he must be sick) and two on one of the dagger plays of the game, a drive to his right around Udonis Haslem and a scoop layup with 14 seconds left.

Having a bad game isn’t some great evil to be met with moralistic damnation, but it is worthy of an accurate appraisal, and the reasonable exploratory questions that will inevitably follow.

So, I’ll bite. I’ll ask the question we’ve all asked ourselves, with an acknowledgment upfront that neither I nor any other basketball scribe holds all the answers: What the hell happened to LeBron James?

Hoopshyp Tweets

Shawn Marion: Great win 2 -2 now about 8 hours ago

JaJuan Johnson: LeBron got the jacket from the Masters on... about 8 hours ago

Caron Butler: Huge win tonight#proudofmysquad 8 hours ago

Baron Davis: What a great game. Lovin this matchup. Dirk jt kidd vs lbj wade & bosh. Marquee. & every1 else on both teams is steppin up. about 9 hours ago

Jimmer Fredette: Well they did it again #game4, now time for some family guy. about 9 hours ago

LaMarcus Aldridge: How many times have the Mavs done that! about 9 hours ago

Wilson Chandler: ppl criticize others on ish they can't even do they damn self... nuggas can't even play dead let alone score 8pts n a real game about 9 hours ago

Gary Forbes: I guarantee that either Dallas or Miami will win game 5. Jus my opinion! yesterday

Gary Forbes: Am I trippin or was that Kurt Thomas in da crowd chillin? yesterday

Kevin Love: Another comeback, another great game. yesterday

Tony Allen: Dirk. Got the win flu yesterday

Amir Johnson: Duyymm good game #mavs did that..2up yesterday

Quentin Richardson: This is a GREAT series!! #NBA. yesterday

Talor Battle: Lebron need to step up help dwade yesterday

Anthony Morrow: I thank God for this game yesterday

Jason Thompson: We Got OurSelves A SERIES!! 2-2 yesterday

Marquis Daniels: Helluva Game #beleedat yesterday

Spencer Hawes: The Met has a rather large and excited dallas contingent tonight. yesterday

Quentin Richardson: Wow! yesterday

Patrick Patterson: #trueorfalse The pivot foot is the first foot that lands on the ground that must remain on the floor? yesterday

Anthony Morrow: That boy Jet wear his headband like a 10 year old that plays aau that's the nicest on the team tho lol yesterday

Spencer Hawes: Now that's #clutch @Jason Terry. yesterday

Gary Forbes: I swear if the #NBA steal the #betterthanjordan award tidbit from me n @KingBlackisG imma b tight. yesterday

Gary Forbes: Ummm I stand corrected.. yesterday

Earl Barron: This might be one of the greatest finals ever. Every game is down to the wire. yesterday

Roger Mason: This Dallas crowd is rowdy. I wish my Knicks fans can enjoy the finals sooner than later. #greatatmosphere yesterday

Jorge Sierra: We're in the same situation 21 seconds later. Good news for Dallas. yesterday

Derrick Williams: Oh so wait.. Dirk was the best player in the league.. He misses a couple then Wade is the best then Dirk is now ? #bandwagons yesterday

Samardo Samuels: Yeah he's nice.. yesterday

Greivis Vasquez: Great basketball game! I love the game so much. #GrizzliesNation yesterday

Marcus Morris: Not even a heat fan and I don't want them to win, but I know basketball.. yesterday

Roger Mason: That's what Superstars do! Great take by Dirk yesterday

Gary Forbes: Correction... The #betterthanjordan award tonight goes to DIRK!!!!!!!!!!! yesterday

Amir Johnson: Don't do em like that dirk!! yesterday

Jorge Sierra: Fantastic basket by Nowitzki, who scores on a drive not a jumper. yesterday

Marcus Morris: Everybody on Lebron back man, heat wouldn't even be here if it wasnt for him. His presents is enough! He dont have to score! yesterday

Chris Singleton: Again #DIRK yesterday

Gary Forbes: The#betterthanjordan Award tonight goes to D WADE yesterday

Trevor Ariza: Close game! Who u guys think will close it out? yesterday

Roger Mason: Crowd in Dallas louder than Miami. I'm doin my own case study. Lol http://yfrog.com/gyss1quj yesterday

Spencer Hawes: Ugly finish yesterday

Keith Benson: That's pushin the ball yesterday

JaJuan Johnson: these goons need to box out lol yesterday

Samardo Samuels: All I need is one.. yesterday

Jorge Sierra: Offensive play is so lackluster. Not a series to remember as far as quality of play. yesterday

Roger Mason: This game is crazy!! Who wins?? yesterday

Marshon Brooks: He don't want it... yesterday

Jeff Pendergraph: And Desaun Stevenson is silly!!! What r u doing?!?!?!?!?! yesterday

Jordan Crawford: Get ya off the bounce game up yesterday

Samardo Samuels: Why r people on me right now I'm trying to watch the game.. yesterday

Justin Harper: #Lebronhairlinethemesong Push it 2 the Limit- Rick Ross yesterday

Jeff Pendergraph: Udonis Haslem ='s GREAT defender yesterday

Shelden Williams: Got my Duke bowling today!!! http://lockerz.com/s/108702638 yesterday

Greivis Vasquez: The intensity of the game is off the hook.. Guys are playing super hard.. La intensidad del juego esta muy (cont) http://tl.gd/avho7g yesterday

Julian Wright: What y'all know about pushing that Rubbermaid wheel barrel on 22's..! Yowserz! http://lockerz.com/s/108702454 yesterday

Quentin Richardson: This should be an exciting finish! yesterday

Amir Johnson: Wade tryna block everythang..lol yesterday

Earl Barron: Looks like yet another down to the wire game. D Wade playing his @$$ off. Dallas not letting up though. yesterday

Terrence Williams: A Lil affection goes a long way- why play mind games #wordaapp yesterday

Quentin Richardson: Not many 6'4" guards goin and beating up shots like he out there doin. yesterday

Xavier Silas: If you are cursed with the ability to separate love and the other, I don't have a witty answer or ground breaking solution. I just feel you. yesterday

Quentin Richardson: I don't care what happens in this game. @Dwyane Wade is solidifying his spot as one of the all time greatest!! #relentless. yesterday

CJ Watson: I may not b shit to u but my mama thinks i made it - @Ludacris yesterday

Marshon Brooks: WE HERE !!! yesterday

Travis Leslie: Jason Terry going off yesterday

Travis Leslie: Lebron aint playing no D lol yesterday

JaJuan Johnson: this game is getting good!!! yesterday

Marshon Brooks: Am I supposed to be happy with ole dude???? Lol yesterday

Jorge Sierra: In a very quiet game for him, LeBron James could end up with a triple double. It's the Wade show, though. yesterday

Kyle Lowry: left right left right up down up down a b a a b!! Dwayne wade cheat code lol yesterday

DaJuan Summers: Now that was nice. Defense turns into offense!! yesterday

Vernon Macklin: Icing and watching da game.... another job interview in the am hittin da sheets after da game night ppls ( mode) yesterday

Morris Peterson : I think if Wade scores over 30 Miami will win! yesterday

Marshon Brooks: Imma be a great coach one day... yesterday

Greivis Vasquez: Dirk is not playing well but at the other end D Wade is making things happen! yesterday

Morris Peterson : Will Dallas rally in the 4th Quarter like they have all Year? What do you think? yesterday

Quentin Richardson: And now the Jet Terry poppin off!! Lol. They gettin it in out there. Plenty trash bein talked. yesterday

Anthony Morrow: Yeaaaa Jet yesterday

DaJuan Summers: Its about 50/ 50 judging from you guys tweets... Let's see! yesterday

Jamie Skeen: #lebronhairlinethemesong "back that thang up" yesterday

Marshon Brooks: It's alot more than the big 3 yesterday

Jamie Skeen: Chalmers is doing work today... #teamexcel killin it today yesterday

Jimmer Fredette: It's going to have to be another Dallas come back or this series could be wrapped up. yesterday

Chandler Parsons: Happy 30th birthday to @SashaEdell!! yesterday

Marshon Brooks: Mario be hooping yesterday

James Harden: Who is Marcel? yesterday

Tony Allen: So I guess u just got 2 out work em 2 get a ring huh!!! Heat look real dominate?? yesterday

Brandon Rush: Like how can y'all say lebron is better than dwade? yesterday

DaJuan Summers: Going into this fourth quarter.... Who y'all got??? yesterday

Jared Dudley: This why Lebron came to Miami, so when his struggling like tonight, he has players to carry him. If this was Cleveland they'd be down 10+ yesterday

Scotty Hopson: Dwade omg, can you say bouncy! yesterday

Marshon Brooks: Great pass!!! Shot lob (pc insider) lmao yesterday

Kyle Lowry: lol I think d wade put the cheat codes in for the finals lmao!!! yesterday

Dorell Wright: D.Wade is out there doin his stuff. Sheeeeesssshhhh. Why am I surprise tho. You knw wht it is!! yesterday

Gordon Hayward: Had a great time at the St. Vincent Spirit of Sport Awards! Congrats to all the winners and nominees! yesterday

Jason Thompson: Wat was Krazier the Pass or Making the Alley Oop?? #finals yesterday

Greg Monroe: good lord.... yesterday

Nate Robinson: I'm a shoot Dee's dice but I bet not crap, told u kids bring me bad luck... Lol yesterday

Dorell Wright: Yo Bay Area!!! I need to find a Golf Shop!! Need to buy mom dukes clubs for her bday. She is starting lessons ... http://tmi.me/bgaDu yesterday

Marshon Brooks: Why switch it back smh yesterday

Marshon Brooks: That's a great coaching change putting jkidd on lebron and Marion on Wade! Might win them the series... yesterday

Samardo Samuels: This game is popping and yeah I'm rolling with the mavs... yesterday

Jamie Skeen: Did he call lebron a bitch? #marion thats not the problem you want buddy! yesterday

Quentin Richardson: I see my dude @Shawn Marion out there mean-muggin and goonin after the tough runner. yesterday

Marshon Brooks: I like it yesterday

Tony Allen: yo!! Is it me or, the hang over movie?? Had a twist on it? All through out this movie?? Strange. I like 1 better! yesterday

Chris Singleton: #FWB nice nice lol yesterday

Quentin Richardson: That shot by @Dwyane Wade just made me make the stank face and shake my head. Nasty! yesterday

Sherron Collins: Tough ass move d wade tough #chicagotweet yesterday

Talor Battle: Oh yeah and dwade is def batman my gosh yesterday

Talor Battle: J kidd deadass got clamps fam yesterday

Anthony Morrow: Wtf did he jus do at the freethrow line? yesterday

Ron Artest: What's the score? yesterday

Summary of everything before

The Point Forward The Failure of LeBron

When you’re the best player in the league, a higher-than-normal level of nitpicking criticism comes with the territory. Especially when that territory is a pivotal game in the NBA Finals one year after you and your teammates drowned the world in your overwhelming egotism. Sometimes that criticism is unfair, and usually it lacks both nuance and a recognition of some of the subtler plays James tries to make; one cannot try to score on every possession when your teammates include Wade and Bosh, after all.

But today, the criticism, even in the broadest strokes and loudest volumes, will be justified.

2MG's The Difference

Rick Carlisle tweaked his rotation, and the three Mavs involved — J.J. Barea (eight points, 3-9 FG, four assists), DeShawn Stevenson (11 points, 3-7 3FG), and Shawn Marion (16 points, 7-12 FG, four rebounds) — each had their best games of the series as a result. Not only has Carlisle done a great job of balancing a micro-managing style with the release of control (when he lets the Mavs "just play basketball," or execute their "flow game,"), but he’s pressed the right buttons in every damn series thus far. Starting Barea as a means to eliminate Peja Stojakovic from the rotation while still keeping Brian Cardinal’s minutes down was actually rather inspired, and though Barea hadn’t really played well in the first three games of the Finals, he was able to accomplish some good things in Game 4 — even as he shot just 3-of-9 from the field. If Carlisle was given the option for Barea to get the same looks and same penetration again in Game 5, I think he’d take it in a heartbeat; Barea worked to create quality shots, but makes just weren’t in the cards this time.

Stats

FT-Watch

Haywood bricked xxx of [twiceasmuch] from the line bench. Why oh why don't you chop that wood more, Portland Lakers Thunder Miami? He is now 20-43 on FTs in 16 games. Celebration for our third-best Center, Beaches! [nsfw]

Dirk missed 1 FTs on 10 Attempts. You know why.

Miami bricked 7 of 24, Dallas 6 of 30

20-20-4 Watch

Chandler 13-16-0 Haywood  0-0-0 still trained right hip flexor. Mahinmi DNP-Playoffs/French

Field Goals

Mavs 29, Heat 32 Can we reverse that anytime soon?

Boarding

Mavs 41 (12 O) Heat 44 (15 O) More Bricks, more Boards.

PIP-Boys

MIA 40 DAL 38. Can live with that

Bench

MIA 15 Pts on 18 Shots DAL 28 on 23 Shots  So be it.

Break it FAST

DAL 6 (but allowed 'only' 12 Points off 11 Turnovers)

MIA 11 (allowed 18 Pts off 15 To) Excellente!

The TEAM STAT

DAL 13 Assists MIA 19 Assists How the...

 Bonus(patience)

Disclaimer: If you couldn't tell by now, all italic sentences are made up thoughts, not actual quotes. Also, 785 Photos. Null Problemo!

Finally....KneeJerk Recap (TM) Jonthefon v5.04

The Mavs (beat/lost to) [the Miami Heat]¹ tonight (thanks to/despite) totol reliance on Dirk’s Awesomeness in general and especially late in the 4th Quarter. The (cloud in the silver lining/major culprit) once more as usual was the (reliabilty/lack) of support from his team-mates, with the exception of Jason Kidd/Tyson Chandler ². Especially useless was Jose Barea/Peja Stojakovic/Brendan Haywood's hip flexor/DeShawn Stevenson/Shawn Marion/Jason Terry/Brian Cardinal³ and it is (GUESS WHAT) THEY’RE ALMOST NOT ALL USELESS!

¹ Inserted Opponent

² Only one of them, mind you. 3 Ast, Rbd, Stls, Bricks for Jason Kidd do that.

³ Two at the minimum, up to all six seven of them.