You wanted drama, you got it.
Game 3 between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks was every bit as exciting as the one that preceded it on Thursday.
This time however it was the Miami Heat that came away with the nail-biting win 88-86.
Take that Dallas. How’s it feel to not only suffer a gut wrenching loss at home, but to get beat by a guy with one eye? A guy born in your backyard. Your native velociraptor looking cyclops sealed your demise in Game 3. Chris looked like Forrest Whittaker Jr out there and still came up clutch.
Let this be said, LeBron James may be the best player on Miami’s team but Dwyane Wade is without a doubt its fiercest competitor.
Wade led Miami with 29 points and 11 rebounds and unlike Game 2 when he deferred to James, Wade seemed determined to carry Miami across the finish line this time.
Dirk Nowitzki led all players with 34 points, while Jason Terry contributed 15 for Dallas.
The Maverick’s MVP had a chance to either send the game to overtime or win it at the buzzer but his shot bounced off the rim and with it crashed the hearts of all Dallas faithful.
Along with Wade’s team high, Chris Bosh delivered 18, James added 17 and Mario Chalmers contributed 12 key points off the bench to help the Heat secure the win.
With the victory Miami gets the relief of knowing that no matter what happens in Games 4 and 5, they will either be coming back home with either the Larry O’Brien trophy or a chance to win it on their own court.
Not just did the Heat steal home court advantage back from the Mavs they also seemingly stiff armed the referees attempts at gift wrapping a win for Dallas.
To say the officiating and late calls was bad would be a serious understatement. Nonetheless Miami managed to pull out a close win in another hotly contested battle.
The win is especially big considering the manner in which many questioned whether the Heat could bounce back after totally melting down at the end of Game 2.
As it stands now one could argue that Miami has dominated the series and should be up 3-0 with a chance to sweep on Tuesday,
Funny how emotions and opinions can sway so much from one playoff game to another.
On Friday all we heard was how Dallas had seized control off the series. Well now Miami has returned the favor and put themselves back in the drivers seat.
On multiple occasions, Miami built comfortable double digit leads only to see the Mavericks rally and either get back in it.
Blowing a 13-point lead after giving up the 15-point advantage in Game 2 could have caused a lesser team to fold, but give the Heat credit. They managed to navigate through the storm and come out with a much needed win.
No team in this current series format to win a Game 3 after splitting the first two has ever ended up losing. It currently stands at 11-0, with the Heat looking to make it an even dozen.
The win wasn’t pretty and if things continue as they are, James may very well have his first ring but Wade will be taking home his second NBA Finals MVP.