Heat Vs. Mavericks, Game 4: Dirk Overcomes Flu, Leads Dallas’ Comeback Win To Even Series

Playoff games are supposed to provide definitive answers, not leave us with more questions than ever. And yet, with the Heat looking like the better team through most of the game, the Mavericks tied the NBA Finals at two games apiece Tuesday night. Right back to where we started. It’s a three game series now, and it makes no sense.

Especially with Dirk Nowitzki playing with a 100-degree fever and looking like a complete mess for most of the game, the Mavs had no business winning on Tuesday. Every time Dallas made a shot, it felt like some grand triumph. Every time Miami scored, it felt like the beginning of an avalanche.

Now James isn’t exactly getting into foul trouble; his fourth and final foul in Game 4 was with 6.7 seconds left and the Heat trailed and needed the ball back. But those situations happen in season, too, and it’s a marvel a guy who averaged two fouls a game in the regular season is averaging a shade under four -- he had 15 through four games -- in the Finals. Either the referees are giving James far less benefit of the doubt, or the Mavericks are consciously attacking James ... which seems unlikely, given how few points James has given up defensively.

It’ll be interesting to watch LeBron’s foul totals as we move forward, and also to see whether the Heat begin to make a stink about it.

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See our full coverage of the Mavs’ Game 4 win over the Heat.

As for Cardinal: in seven minutes, he did about as much as Peja has done in this series, which is to say he basically did nothing.

For more on the Mavericks’ adjustments going forward, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.

As Michael Smith notes, LeBron James accomplished a feat he hasn’t in almost four and a half years on Tuesday night, and it wasn’t a good one.

James’ final line: 44 minutes, eight points, nine rebounds, seven assists, 3-11 FG, 2-4 free throw. It’s a nice all-around line, per say, but not what anyone has come to expect from LeBron. And it showed it showed in the Heat’s performance, especially down the stretch.

Beyond the stat sheet, LeBron seemed to be less active than in the first three games of the championship series, and didn’t make his presence felt in the fourth quarter. That begs a question: was LeBron just lazy, or is he legitimately exhausted from playing too many minutes?

For more LeBron reaction, visit Peninsula Is Mightier.

After Whitlock complimented Carlisle for “coaching a hell of a game,” he essentially tried to lead him into admitting he was the king of all coaches. Carlisle didn’t bite, praising his players and giving a lengthy, detailed answer to the question that mostly heaped praise on the performance of the team on the court. When Whitlock wasn’t satisfied, this happened:

Whitlock: “Yes or no though. You did coach a hell of a game.”

Audience: (nervous laughter)

Carlisle: ...

Carlisle: ...

Carlisle: “Who is this guy? Next question”

After Dwyane Wade nearly lost the ball into the backcourt, Mike Miller came up with the loose ball on the scramble, but had to force up a desperation three, finding nothing but air as time ran out. With the miss, Dallas had done it again, coming back to keep their hopes alive with an 86-83 win.

The Heat and Mavericks get back at it again on Thursday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the series even at two games apiece

With just over four minutes to go, Dallas has the lead again, 80-78. Nowitzki and Terry have score four points apiece during the fourth quarter run as Dallas has clamped down on the defensive end, forcing five turnovers and completely locking down the Heat. Miami has just seven points in the first seven and a half minutes of the quarter, and has struggled to keep up with Dallas’ quick passing on the other end of the floor.

It’s crunch-time in Dallas and we’re on our way to a wild finish in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

With one quarter to go in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks need to find some of that comeback magic, else the series may slip away in a hurry.

For live coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keep it tuned to this StoryStream. To see the up-to-the-minute score, along with information from around SB Nation on the game, keep your browser on this Heat-Mavs score page. Throughout the NBA Finals, check out our 2011 NBA Finals hub for more coverage. For more on the two teams, Mavericks fans should head over to Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas, while Heat fans should check out Peninsula Is Mightier.

With just under four minutes to go in the third quarter, the Mavericks lead the Heat, 64-61

For live coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keep it tuned to this StoryStream. To see the up-to-the-minute score, along with information from around SB Nation on the game, keep your browser on this Heat-Mavs score page. Throughout the NBA Finals, check out our 2011 NBA Finals hub for more coverage. For more on the two teams, Mavericks fans should head over to Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas, while Heat fans should check out Peninsula Is Mightier.

None of the game’s stars are playing particularly well, so it would be unfair to pick out any particular player and say that they need to play better. For the sake of the general viewing public and entertainment value, all of the big stars need to play better. The defense in the first quarter was good, but the game has been a little bit more about poor offense than great defense.

For live coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keep it tuned to this StoryStream. To see the up-to-the-minute score, along with information from around SB Nation on the game, keep your browser on this Heat-Mavs score page. Throughout the NBA Finals, check out our 2011 NBA Finals hub for more coverage. For more on the two teams, Mavericks fans should head over to Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas, while Heat fans should check out Peninsula Is Mightier.

Nowitzki and Bosh are the leading scorers for Miami and Dallas, each scoring six points so far. It’s tied up at a score of 8-8 halfway through the first quarter.

For live coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keep it tuned to this StoryStream. To see the up-to-the-minute score, along with information from around SB Nation on the game, keep your browser on this Heat-Mavs score page. Throughout the NBA Finals, check out our 2011 NBA Finals hub for more coverage. For more on the two teams, Mavericks fans should head over to Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas, while Heat fans should check out Peninsula Is Mightier.

There’s also some preview content over at Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Dallas. We’ll be here all night with running coverage of Game 4, so don’t move that mouse.

For live coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keep it tuned to this StoryStream. To see the up-to-the-minute score, along with information from around SB Nation on the game, keep your browser on this Heat-Mavs score page. Throughout the NBA Finals, check out our 2011 NBA Finals hub for more coverage. For more on the two teams, Mavericks fans should head over to Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas, while Heat fans should check out Peninsula Is Mightier.

One of the tendency teams have when playing a tremendous halfcourt defense like Miami is to say something along the lines of “we need to get out and run, not let them set up their defense.” However, what makes Miami so special is that they are great at getting back and playing transition defense. It is becoming more and more apparent that Dallas isn’t comfortable running (look at Peja Stojakovic’s “outlet pass” or J.J. Barea;s hesitance when trying to force a delayed transition opportunity) and trying to create opportunities. This is what leads to turnovers, so instead of running their stuff (which has done a decent job of getting good looks), the Mavericks are throwing possessions away.

I’m not saying don’t run, when the opportunities are there, you need to take advantage. However, trying to create opportunities out of nothing just doesn’t work against Miami. Slow it down and run your offense.

In other words, Dallas can survive losing one of the three games scheduled in Texas, but it can’t drop two and reasonably hope to survive. That makes Game 4 on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, ABC) critical, obviously. All Finals games are critical -- it’s the Finals, after all! -- but this is where the series hinges on dogfight or desperation.

Be sure to see our 2011 NBA Finals hub for full series coverage. For more on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier. For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.