NBA Finals Preview... Mavs vs. Heat
It's been a few years since an NBA Finals matchup actually intrigued me enough to try and watch every game of the series... the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Miami Heat in this years final round of the playoffs is one of those.
Both teams are fast-paced, equipped with a full-bench of bodies, and like to play defense on occasion.
I look for the Mavs to enlist the hack-a-Shaq fouling method that they made famous back in the late 90's when Shaq was with the Lakers. The Mavs will have no answer for Dwyane Wade, as most teams don't so they'll have to contain Shaq and the other role players for the Heat.
I can't see the Heat matching up with Dirk Nowitzki at all, so he should have an MVP-type playoff series. Antoine Walker and Udonis Haslem will likely be matched up on him, but neither is tall enough or quick enough to stop Dirk from going off. Jason Terry is going to be a tough responsibility for Wade and Miami's backcourt, but they should be able to slow him down if they throw more than one body at him when he brings the ball up the court.