The Dallas Mavericks are glad to have beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, sure. The Mavericks finished a 4-1 series win on Wednesday, with -- suitably enough -- Dirk Nowitzki free throws icing the game in the final seconds. But while the series win came with a trophy and a celebration, the real work is still to be done. The most important part of this result is very obviously a berth in the 2011 NBA Finals, and that's where Nowitzki's mind is.
Mavericks Vs. Thunder: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Focused On NBA Finals, Not Win Over Oklahoma City
In a chat with the Dallas Morning News, Mavericks reserve guard J.J. Barea indicated that the two players remaining from the 2006 NBA Finals team -- Nowitzki and Jason Terry -- weren't ready to celebrate on Wednesday.
"You could tell with Dirk, he doesn’t even want to celebrate. He’s ready to go. And Jason kept saying, we got to win four more. Those two won’t celebrate tonight."
It appears that opponent will be the Miami Heat, who hold a 3-1 lead on the Chicago Bulls and can clinch a Finals berth on Thursday. If the Heat win Thursday, the NBA Finals would begin in Miami on Tuesday, May 31. If the Bulls extend the series to six games or win the series, the Finals would begin on Thursday, June 2. Either way, the Mavericks won't have home court advantage.
For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.
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