The stat of the night was since the NBA finals format changed to 2-3-2 from 2-2-1-1-1 that whenever the series was tied 1-1 the team who won game three went on to win the championship all eleven times. While it might prove it is likely the winner of game three will win the championship these stats are always there to be broken. Cause no one wins until they win their fourth anyway, especially in a series like this with Lebron and Wade on one team and the experience of Dirk and Kidd on the other.
Game threes first quarter was very similar to game twos. High shooting percentages by both teams, and the Heat had a handful of highlights plays already. Mavericks “manufactured” points while the Heat continued to attack the paint. Mario Chalmers even had a quarter court shot at the buzzer to put the Heat up by seven points.
The out come and how it ended was, however, very different then that of game twos. Despite even the third quarter being eerily similar when the Heat pulled away and the Mavericks brought it back.
The fourth quarter is what was drastically different. Not better or worse, just different. Instead of a amazing comeback, it was a tight finish down the stretch that the Heat pulled out.
There were two things that I noticed the Heat did differently that contributed to their success tonight.
1. No early celebrations.
There was not nearly as much hoopla by the Heat before the final buzzer compared to game two. Not being at home might have been a factor but the Heat also looked more focused (minus that 3rd quarter meltdown) and ready to finish the game. I mean Bosh did not even yell after he had a monster dunk in the first half, that's as rare as MJ not sticking his tongue out as he drove the the bucket.
2. The Heat went with the hot hand
In this case, as was the case in game two, it was Dwayne Wade. What gave the Heat their initial lead and allowed them to hang on in the fourth was Wades great play and energy he brought. Game two they did not go to Wade as often late as they should have. Game three was a different story as Wade put up seven straight Heat points.
With the Heat winning game three they are the automatic favorites to win it all. Being up 2-1 helps and with the previously mentioned stat. I will stand by what I also said though, don't count the Mavericks out of it. Remember when we all did that in game two?
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