By J. Michael Falgoust, Jeff Zillgitt, Mike Dodd, USA TODAY
The morning after the Dallas Mavericks had advanced to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history, coach Rick Carlisle could only take a deep sigh in reflection.
By Eric Gay, AP
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle called his team's Game 5 win over the Thunder "a real test."
By Eric Gay, AP
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle called his team's Game 5 win over the Thunder "a real test."
The Mavs closed out the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, but it wasn't as easy as that. Wednesday's comeback at home was from five points down with five minutes left. The Mavericks also rallied from a 15-point deficit in the last five minutes of Game 4 on the road.
"The comeback in Game 4 was an unlikely scenario. But (Game 5) was the hardest game. It's not even close," said Carlisle, who will be coaching in his first NBA Finals. "They kept attacking us, kept driving at us with their quicker guys. It was a real test."
The Mavericks got 26 points each from Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki, who hit his only three-pointer with 1:14 to go to put them up for good. They overcame a game-high 31 points from Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and 40 points from Oklahoma City's bench.
Sixth man Jason Terry, who joins Nowitzki as the only Mavs left from the 2006 Finals loss to the Miami Heat, has the championship trophy tattooed on his right biceps. He's intent on getting the real thing.
"We're going to get it," Terry said. "We finally got back. The show is on now."
Injuries not new:
Heat guard Dwyane Wade missed dunk attempts in Game 3 and Game 4 vs. the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals and had struggled from the field, shooting 11-for-33 in those games.
Wade denied he was hurt. But during Game 5 on Thursday he was caught on camera having his left shoulder stretched.
Even teammate LeBron James said after the game that Wade was not 100%. And he praised his friend for hanging in.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the physical nature of the series had a lot to do with players missing shots.
"It's taken a toll on everybody, on both teams," he said. "It's as physical a series as I've been around."
Heat forward James Jones is dealing with an injured toe on his left foot and did not play in Games 3 and 4 after getting two minutes in Game 2. Jones wore a walking boot on his left foot.
New face:
With backup center Omer Asik sidelined for the postseason with a broken leg, the Bulls activated 6-9 forward Brian Scalabrine for Game 5 on Thursday. It was the first time he had dressed for a game this postseason. Scalabrine hadn't played since March 15.
Kurt Thomas, who didn't play in the first four games of the series, did yeoman duty filling in and giving the Bulls a boost.
A vote for Brown:
Heat forward LeBron James played for soon-to-be Los Angles Lakers coach Mike Brown from 2005-06 through 2009-10 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James had positive words for the coach.
"He always believed that in order to win basketball games and ultimately to win a championship, you have to defend," James said. "That's what he's really good at. He's great at that.
"He is great at also giving teammates and guys free speech. 'If you guys see something on the court, let me know, and if I feel like it works, then we can change it, we can go with it.' He's a great communicator."
Kings on target:
Sacramento Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof say they are optimistic the city can help finance a new arena after the release of a feasibility study Thursday at a special City Hall meeting. The Maloofs, in a statement, said "the political and public will are here" in Sacramento despite years of failed measures to finance an arena.
NBA Commissioner David Stern, who has said a new arena plan must be ready by March 1 or the franchise likely will relocate, also said he was encouraged.
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