NBA

Mavericks, Nowitzki seek escape from skid

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published June 17, 2006

MIAMI - The Mavericks did not end up in these NBA Finals by accident. They benefited from a winning formula that included the savvy coaching of Avery Johnson, the timely offense of Josh Howard and Jason Terry as well as clutch contributions from a deep bench.

But mostly, Dallas rode the coattails of Dirk Nowitzki.

His sharp shooting and freakish skills have paved the way for the Mavericks. They go as Nowitzki goes, but, suddenly, it isn't going so well for the German native.

An assortment of Heat defenders have left the five-time All-Star and defending 3-point shootout champ looking out of sorts - unable to even launch shots in some cases while taking ill-advised ones in other instances.

The result was one of Nowitzki's poorest postseason performances in Game 4. He finished 2-for-14 from the field, missing layups and long-range shots with equal frequency.

And if Dallas can't solve the riddle of how to get Nowitzki better looks in Sunday's Game 5, the Mavericks may be hard-pressed to shake their sudden slump. Right now, it might be the key to the best-of-seven series, which is tied 2-2.

"They have been doing it all series," Nowitzki said of the Heat's relentless defense. "They do a good job getting into me and making me put the ball on the floor. I had some good looks (in Game 4) especially early on in the paint. ... So, (I've) just got to make shots."

But will it really be that easy?

The Heat's central mission in Thursday's 98-74 throttling seemed to be making life tough for Nowitzki, who turns 28 Monday. Miami got admirable efforts from Udonis Haslem, Shandon Anderson and James Posey on the defensive end, and even Shaquille O'Neal raced out to the 3-point line on one occasion and forced Nowitzki into an errant long-range attempt. Plus, Miami has been consistent in its physical play against the elusive 7-footer.

With that, Nowitzki is shooting 36 percent during the Finals. Contrast that to his near 50 percent proficiency through the first three postseason series and it becomes inescapably clear the Heat is on to something. At the same time Miami's star, Dwyane Wade, is soaring to new heights (averaging 32.3 points and shooting 47 percent in the Finals), the Mavericks' go-to player is falling to new lows.

"They are wrapping him up," Johnson said of the Heat. "They are putting a blanket over him and he's going to have to get that blanket off of him.

"Now it's just a matter of willpower."

At least on Thursday, that seemed to be an issue. Nowitzki's struggles appeared to worsen as the game wore on. He failed to convert a field goal in the second half, missing all manner of shots - including a jumper swatted by the 6-4 Wade.

"Down the stretch, when you're down 20 ... obviously you're desperate and you take 3s that are not really there," the 245-pound forward said. "You've got to go out of your way a little bit to make some stuff happen when you're down that big."

But the alternative didn't work, either. When Nowitzki attempted to drive into the lane, he ran into a lively O'Neal or shot-blocker extraordinaire Alonzo Mourning. Both have made it a point to challenge as many shots as possible in the paint.

"That was a lot of contesting at the rim," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "We need that against this team. We cannot give them layups and jumpers and free throws. We have to take something away."

Right now, that something is Nowitzki. And if something doesn't give, the Heat might well take something else away: the series.

TV: Ch. 28

MAVERICKS 2, HEAT 2

GAME 1: Mavericks 90, Heat 80

GAME 2: Mavericks 99, Heat 85

GAME 3: Heat 98, Mavericks 96

GAME 4: Heat 98, Mavericks 74

SUNDAY: at Miami, 9

TUESDAY: at Dallas, 9

THURSDAY: at Dallas, 9*

[Last modified June 17, 2006, 00:50:09]