Mavs fans have complained for years that, as a result, the referees have taken great joy in punishing Cuban's teams.
On top of that, we're looking at a Game Six, not a Game Seven. We know that the NBA is riding high on the wave of success the regular season and playoffs have brought them, and that wave continues if the series gets extended to one more game. A Game Seven would bring more positive attention to the league, as well as a boatload of extra money.
Unfolding out of this nasty business is of course the game itself. In each of those games, Dallas has shown remarkable focus and composure, regardless of whether the game was a blowout (Lakers) or a come from behind win (Thunder).
If Dallas can go into the game with the mindset that they are not only fighting against the Heat, but also the league's desire to have a Game Seven, the referees working to give Miami an advantage, the clock manager being a hair fast or a hair slow, or even the DJ miscuing up the music tracks, then the Mavs will be prepared. I fully expect Miami to play in the lead for most of tonight's game. Lost amongst the LeBron 24-7 show and Jason Terry's late game heroics was the fact that Miami too got its offense going in Game Five. We've seen many a game this season where a team, brimming with confidence, is cruising along to what appears to be an easy win. Their offense looks great, they're rebounding well, defending the other team competently, and vitory looks like a foregone conclusion. The NBA game moves too fast, there are too many possessions, and the players are too talented to ever think that a game is in the bag. Those missed free throws? The blown fast breaks? The Heat have not paid attention to these small details. If you recall, Dwyane Wade missed the back end of his free throws at the end of Game Four. Dallas escaped with wins while Miami wondered what happened.
Miami should play a great game tonight. Chandler has endured two games where he has picked up five fouls and come dangerously close to fouling out, but has never had to miss extended time due to foul trouble. We already know that Miami is very good at crashing the offensive boards with both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and Dallas has not done a good job staying focused on boxing out Heat players. If Chandler has to sit for any extended period of time, there will be little in the way of Miami taking over the game on both offensive and defensive boards. If Dallas can keep Chandler on the court they will stand a good chance at winning. However, if Miami can attack Chandler and get him into foul trouble and off the court, I expect a Game Seven will be on the horizon. Watch Live Online.
