While battling a fever of 101, Dirk Nowitzki helped the Dallas Mavericks to a come-from-behind 86-83 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the NBA finals. Dallas went on a 21-9 run in the final 10 minutes, a span where Nowitzki had 10 points and five rebounds. He finished a layup with 14.4 seconds to avoid a 3-1 hole for the Mavericks. Now, the series is tied 2-2 and the momentum has shifted preceding Game 5 Thursday night in Dallas.
Nowitzki is hoping to earn his first NBA Championship. In Game 2, he scored the final nine points with a torn tendon in the tip of his left middle finger in a 22-5 Dallas rally for the win. He delivered again in Game 4 as the offense ran through him despite the fever. He made his first three shots of the game but missed the next 10 of 11 before taking over in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, LeBron James made just three of 11 shots with eight points and was scoreless in the fourth quarter. It ended a double-figure scoring streak of 433 straight games and was his lowest playoff total in his career. Miami was paced by Dwayne Wade with 32 points, but he missed a tying free throw with 30.1 seconds left and fumbled the last possession that forced a desperation three-point miss by Mike Miller.
Both teams are now 1-1 at home and the stats aren’t showing any trends. The last two games were decided by two points, which was the first finals occurrence since 1998. This one was settled by three points. Nowitzki finally had a supporting cast with Jason Terry scoring 17 points, Shawn Marion with 16, and Tyson Chandler with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 5 Odds (provided by Party Bets)
Heat: 1/1
Mavericks: 5/6
Point Spread: Mavericks -1
Over/Under: 184.5
NBA Championship Odds (provided by Party Bets)
Miami Heat: 4/9
Dallas Mavericks: 7/4