Screw it, Dallas in 7!

We should set some ground rules on b**ching about the refs. I think we can all agree on the fact that the Heat will be much more aggressive in getting to the rim and will get more calls (at least, my expectation).

Agreed. You can't look at FT disparity along and say "it's unfair." As long as Dirk is getting calls on the contact he draws like Wade/Lebron do, I'm okay with Miami getting to the line more often.

Mavs in 6

Mavs in 7

It all comes down to the bench...

Dallas in 6

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We should set some ground rules on b**ching about the refs. I think we can all agree on the fact that the Heat will be much more aggressive in getting to the rim and will get more calls (at least, my expectation).

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It's the phantom calls I'm worried about - like the one Wade drew on Rose on the 3 pointer late in the game - flailing arms, falling down, etc.

Oh, and Dallas in 6.

[This message has been edited by CoppellAg93 (edited 5/27/2011 9:29a).]

Chandler v. Anthony
Advantage to Dallas.

Nowitzki v. Bosh
Advantage to Dallas.

Marion v. James
Advantage for Miami.

Stevenson v. Wade
Advantage for Miami.

Kidd v. Bibby
Advantage for Dallas.

Dallas Bench v. Miami Bench
Advantage for Dallas.

Carlisle v. Spoelstra
Advantage for Dallas.

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When I look at the above, I think the advantages Miami has at SF/SG are going to outweigh the benefits that Dallas has at the other positions. I'd have to put Miami as the favorite, probably in 7.

That being said, if Spoelstra plays Bosh and Haslem at the same time for defense on Dirk, Chandler is going to get everything he wants in the paint. Frankly, I think Chandler is the key to this series. If he can be a consistent 12 and 10 player, I think Dallas can win this in 6.

[This message has been edited by MW03 (edited 5/27/2011 9:41a).]

I looked at the regular season stats in the two games in the regular season, and while we all know the regular season means nothing, you can at least look at trends (I did the same thing before the WCF and it gave a little bit of an idea of what to look for, but you have to take it with a major grain of salt because a lot happens over the course of 97 games.)

I'm going to say Mavs in 6, but anything can happen and I wouldn't be surprised at any outcome in this series.

The Heat play at a slower pace, but are good in transition. The Mavs were at their best when they were playing at a slower pace the first few rounds. The Mavs strength is ball movement and three pointers and the Heat struggle defending the three. Based on TEAM match-up I really like the Mavs chances, but individual match-ups scare me with how LeBron looked against Chicago. In the regular season LeBron really struggled against us, but we also had Butler healthy, who had a big part of that.

My super prediction is that Butler suits up at some point, maybe even game 1. I doubt he'll play, but like Jet says, he just wants to see him out there in the layup lines.

I'm not worried about Mavs not having home court, I prefer that in the playoffs (maybe less so with the 2-3-2, though). The Mavs have played very well in Portland and OKC who have great home court advantages, and great in LA, where it's easy to get distracted, but the crowd doesn't strike fear in you. I hate having home court though because if you don't get out to a 2-0 series lead you can get in trouble, and if you do get the 2-0 lead it seems like a daunting hill to climb for the team who goes back home. It's crucial IMO that we take at least one in Miami, preferably game 1 (and 2. and maybe 6.)

Heat in 3...maybe 2.

If Mavs win 1 in Miami, the 2-3-2 format greatly favors the Mavs. Although, I don't see the Mavs winning 3 in a row at home. They are a better road team.

IMO, the 2-3-2 format really negates home court advantage.

I honestly think the 2-3-2 format favors the away team, or at the very least negates home court advantage (as mentioned above). I'm shocked to see the HCA team being that dominant. Of course that could just mean the better team during the regular season usually wins.

If I'm not mistaken the Mavs and Heat were within 1 win of each other during the regular season, and both are hot right now. Setting up for a good series.

Heart- Mavs
Head- Heat

One thing is certain, I am going to be royally p****d off at least once after Lebron and/or Wade get a foul call after flopping or acting. It is such a GD joke that Lebron feels like he can acknowledge his flopping with a little wink DURING THE GAME like he did last night!

Miami in 6

prepyag, we know you are 14, but please don't be an idiot. The reffing in the last Mavs/Heat Finals was incredibly biased towards Wade, and the Mavs let it get to them.

Dallas in five...

win game 1
lose game 2
sweep at home

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Frankly, I think Chandler is the key to this series. If he can be a consistent 12 and 10 player, I think Dallas can win this in 6.

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Chandler is the key, but not his offensive numbers. If he can stay out of foul trouble consistently, the Mavs can win. I don't think he can though because Bron and Wade will be living in the paint. Heat in 6.

heat in 5

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IMO, the 2-3-2 format really negates home court advantage.

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No kidding.

If you are the road team and you steal one of those first two.....you can end the series at home.

Also such as in the 2006 Finals. If the Home team wins games 2-4....suddenly they have all the momentum heading into game 6.

The 2-2-1-1-1 Format great favors the team with Home Court....because if they win all the home games they are never behind in the series.

Miami in 5...

What is the reasoning behind going to the 2-3-2 format in the Finals?

I believe the 2-3-2 format was originally set up because of travel distance from West Coast to East Coast with the 2 conferences playing each other -- it would be a lot of long flights in the 1-1-1 portion.

I pray to the bball gods I'm wrong on this one.

Miami in 6.

Miami in 6

If that's the case, then why don't they do it for all series? Dallas to Portland and Dallas to LA is a lot farther than Dallas to Miami. And this is the case for other West teams like New Orleans, OKC, Houston, San Antonio, Memphis, Minnesota, etc.

It jsut seems like extremely flawed logic that the Finals will be the only time that teams fly across country.

The other speculation is that money is the reason -- it potentially lengthens a series to 6 or 7 games as it makes it harder for the supposed favorite (team with home court) to win.

At least, this is according to Google Answers.

Holding my nose and cheering for the Mavs, but I suspect the Decision will win in 6

miami in 6

With yankees prediction I would say this is a sure win for the Mavs. He has been wrong about everything since the baseball playoffs last year.

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When I look at the above, I think the advantages Miami has at SF/SG are going to outweigh the benefits that Dallas has at the other positions. I'd have to put Miami as the favorite, probably in 7.

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I agree. With the NBA being a star-driven league, you have to look at the stars in the Series. Miami has 3 of the top 4 players in the series. That is going to be difficult to overcome for the Mavs, even with how amazing Dirk's been playing.

Mavs take both at Miami then finish it on game 5.

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What is the reasoning behind going to the 2-3-2 format in the Finals?

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It's because so much media travels during the finals. This way cuts back on the amount of travel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC9H66odmrk

This is what concerns me. Kick a guy, go to the line.

Heat are playing at a high level right now, so I fear that it will likely be them (Heat) in 6.

Mavericks could get it done though and good lord, I hope they do.

Heat in 5