NBA Finals 2006

The final two teams are set. It will be Miami Heat against the Dallas Mavericks come June 8.

Both teams performed well during the regular season, especially the Mavs, rolling to 60 wins in 82 games in the tough Western Conference to finish 3rd overall, behind the Spurs and Pistons. Much credit goes to head coach Avery Johnson, under whom the Mavs added solid defense in addition to their offensive firepower in All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and co. In their impressive run to the Finals, they slain the Grizzlies with ease, then outlasted the defending champion Spurs in 7 games, and finally putting brakes to Phoenix Suns' wheels.

But the Finals will not be a pushover. The Heat were cold during the regular season, only notching 52 games, but peaked just as the playoffs started and has been blazing since. Shaquille O'Neal looked 10 years younger, Dwayne Wade is doing what Dwayne Wade does, Alonzo Mourning plays as well as a player with only one kidney can play, and Antoine Walker and Gary Payton nicely settling down to their roles. Like the Mavs, this is the first time the franchise is in the Finals. But Miami Heat is a veteran team guided by the legendary coach Pat Riley, and they know how to win. Their win over Detroit Pistons is a testament of how good they are.

During the regular season, they faced each other twice, both resulting in comfortable wins for the Mavs. But that is no longer a factor because the Heat are on a totally different level now.

As for the defensive matchups, at first glance stars in both teams would be unstoppable. The Heat obviously will dominate the paint with Shaq. If Detroit's frontcourt of the Wallace duo and Prince could hardly contain him, DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier would have no chance at all. Wade would also be a problem for the Mavs, but at least they have a good defender in Juwan Howard. The Heat, meanwhile, do not have an answer for Nowitzki. Dirk is 7-foot tall and plays with skills of a small forward. He will take his defender to the perimeter and beat him with his drive and pull-up jumpers.

At the point, both teams are evenly matched-up: Gary Payton and Jason Williams for the Heat against Jason Terry and Devin Harris for the Mavs. Payton is a 16-year veteran and contributes significantly in offense and defense, Williams is troublesome when he gets hot, Terry is capable of making big shots and dropping big numbers while Devin Harris is consistent and reliable.

The key for Miami will be the supporting players. Shaq and Wade will command much attention from the Mavs' defense, leaving players like Antoine Walker, Udonis Haslem and Jason Williams with a lot of open shots. They need to keep making these open shots for Miami to win.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, have to push the tempo like they did to the Spurs. Playing at a faster pace would put a lot of pressure on the slower Heat. Besides getting easy baskets in transition, it would tire Miami's veterans and render Shaq ineffective in defense. The Mavs also need to fully utilize their deep bench against Heat's thin bench.

It is hard to predict which team will finally lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The Mavs have an advantage in their youth and talent, but never underestimate the determination and experience of the Heat. O'Neil, Payton, Mourning, Walker and Wade are hungry for a ring.