The Miami Heat strike the Dallas Mavericks 88-86 to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals on Sunday. Since the NBA Finals transfer to the 2-3-2 format in 1985, whenever teams have tear the first two games 1-1, the victor of Game Three has won the NBA title 11 times out of 11 times.
The Miami Heat took a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals series with a narrow 88-86 triumph against the Dallas Mavericks. The Florida permit had to hold on in Texas though as the hosts made a real fight of it.
Miami had been seven up with six minutes 31 seconds left before Mavs talisman Dirk Nowitzki poured in 12 consecutive points for his side as they evened the score. Chris Bosh then shaped what proved to be the winning jump shot with 39.6secs left and when Nowitzki's big possibility arrived, he misses an awkward jump shot as the signal went.
Dwyane Wade was typically violent in his 29-point haul for the Heat while Bosh finished with 18, rendering Nowitzki's impressive 34 immaterial. While Bosh stepped up to the plate, the third superstar in the Heat ranks, LeBron James, struggled at times despite recurring figures of 17 points and nine assists, let down by rarely sloppy moment which saw four turnovers. The best-of-seven series continue on Tuesday.