Miami dominates Dallas to level NBA finals at 2-2
2006-06-16

People Dirk Nowitzki Shaquille O'Neal Event 2005 NBA Clubs Miami Heat Dallas Mavericks

Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal were in fine form but Dirk Nowitzki was not as Miami defeated Dallas 98-74 to move two wins away from their first National Basketball Association championship.

Dwyane Wade dominated for the second game in a row and set the tone early by scoring 14 of his game-high 36 points in the first quarter for Miami who levelled the best-of-seven series at two games each.

"I was feeling it early on the first couple of shots," Wade said. "I was relying on the jump shot because they were backing off me so I am going to shoot it.

"I am in a rhythm now so I am able to see the defence before it is coming."

O'Neal, who took a hard hit from Jerry Stackhouse in the third quarter, collected 17 points, grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and had three assists while being triple teammed most of the time.

Miami was fighting for their playoff lives after losing both games in Dallas. The Heat are trying to buck history and become the first team out the last ten finals to win the NBA title after losing games one and two.

"It is a different series now," O'Neal said.

Miami had a solid rebounding night and shot 51.5 percent. James Posey came off the bench to score 15 points on five-of-nine shooting from the field. He also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Nowitzki and Josh Howard combined to shoot just three-of-22 as Dallas shot 31.6 percent from the field. Nowitzki also had four turnovers for the Mavericks who are 4-2 against Miami this season.

"We are in a dogfight," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "Wade has hurt us in the worst way. We haven't been able to guard him.

"We are not going to win many games when two of our best players go three-for-22."

Game five will be at Miami on Sunday and game six in Dallas Tuesday in the 2-3-2 finals format.

O'Neal also helped establish the tone early for Miami scoring four of the Heat's first seven points in the first quarter until he went to the bench with two fouls.

Heading into the game the Mavericks wanted to do a better job of rebounding on offence as they were outrebounded 16-7 by Miami's defence in game three.

They matched the Heat on the boards in game four but then couldn't convert many of those possessions into baskets.

Dallas had one frustrating rebounding series in the first quarter where they grabbed six straight boards in the same series but missed all their shots before Miami took the ball back down the court.

Stackhouse sent O'Neal flying into the photographers' row behind the basket with a hard elbow to the head with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

O'Neal, who already had one technical, landed with a thud and thought about getting up and going after Stackhouse but was prevented by Wade who grabbed him from behind.

Instead O'Neal dusted himself off and made two free throws to give Miami a 14 point lead, 68-54.

"My daughters' tap on me harder when I come home," O'Neal said. "I am one of the last players of the old school.

"It was a hard foul, the kind of game I used to play when I was growing up. I have taken a hard fall before. I just have to get up.

"I am not going to disrespect my family or my organization."

Wade proved he is quick healer as he didn't seemed bothered by a left knee strain he suffered in game three. Wade said at Wednesday's practice with a little icing, massage and rest that his knee would be fine and it was.