Wolves

Looking at the NBA Finals: Miami vs. Dallas

May 29, 2011 at 6:47AM

Miami's LeBron James celebrated against the Bulls after the Heat rallied to win Game 5 -- and the Eastern Conference finals -- in Chicago. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

MIAMI HEAT (12-3 IN THIS POSTSEASON)Playoff leaders

Scoring: LeBron James 26.0 Rebounds: Chris Bosh 8.9 Assists: LeBron James 5.5

Steals: LeBron James 1.7 Blocks: Joel Anthony 2.1 Minutes: LeBron James 44.0

PIVOTAL GAME

Conference semifinals, Game 4 in Boston -- Heat 98, Celtics 90 (OT): LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combined for 83 points and 35 rebounds. They scored all 12 of Miami's points in overtime to keep the Celtics from evening the series. The Heat closed out Boston in Game 5.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (12-3 IN THIS POSTSEASON)

Playoff leaders

Scoring: Dirk Nowitzki 28.4 Rebounds: Tyson Chandler 9.3 Assists: Jason Kidd 7.7

Steals: Jason Kidd 2.2 Blocks: Shawn Marion 1.0 Minutes: Dirk Nowitzki 38.9

PIVOTAL GAME

Conference finals, Game 4 in Oklahoma City -- Mavericks 112, Thunder 105 (OT): The Mavericks trailed by 15 points with 5 minutes to play but somehow prevailed. They didn't lead until Dirk Nowitzki (40 points) hit two free throws 16 seconds into overtime. The series ended two days later.NOTES

• According to Bodog.com, Miami was a 1.7-1 favorite to win the NBA title at the start of the season, while Dallas was a 20-1 pick. The site also lists Miami as the favorite in this matchup.

• Since the start of the 2005-06 season, LeBron James has played in 376 victories, the second most in the NBA behind Lakers point guard Derek Fisher (378).

• If he plays in the first three games of the Finals, Mavericks sixth man Jason Terry will be the first NBA player to appear in 100 games this season.

• The Heat has tied a franchise record with its 70 victories this season -- set by the 2004-05 club that lost in the Eastern Conference finals.

• Dallas won the season series with Miami 2-0.

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