Team Effort Propels Miami Heat Over Dallas Mavericks 106-85

LeBron distributed, Chris Bosh rebounded, and the whole team scored; finally, things went according to plan for the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat Take A 60-53 Lead In Last Year's Finals Rematch

Perhaps seeing their NBA final foes from a year past is what the doctor ordered for both the struggling Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat. Both teams have endured their toughest month of the season, with the Mavericks going 8-7 and the Heat 8-6 in the month of March. And while the NBA finals might not be on the line this time, there Heat are playing with a certain measure of pride hoping to extend their 14 game home win streak. The Head lead the Mavericks 60-53 at halftime, as the Heat rode an 11-4 run to close out the half.

Dwyane Wade leads the hit in scoring, notching 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting from the field. LeBron James has added 11 points and Chris Bosh 9 points. But perhaps the most promising statistic for the Heat thus far, has the been the bench production: Udonis Haslem and Norris Cole each have 8 points, and as a group, the bench is 10 of 13 from the field.

For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki is sure to inspire some halftime nightmares if any of the Heat fans take a nap during the intermission. He's connected on 8 of his 10 shots, for 16 points, but it's not just the production that has been impressive- it's been the quality of those points. Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Ronny Turiaf have all taken turns guarding Dirk, but each to no avail. Dirk has made several tough jump shots and even a rare drive to the basket taking on two Heat defenders.

Vince Carter has added 9 points for the Mavericks, and Brandon Wright has 8 points off the bench. Shockingly (and eerily reminiscent of the 2003 NBA Finals), the Mavs have attempted ZERO free throws at the half. Perhaps it has something to do with their 17 3-point shot attempts, but the statistic is alarming for the Mavs nonetheless.

Heat Vs. Mavericks: TV Schedule, Game Time And More

The Miami Heat have been respectable, but not terribly Heat-like since the All-Star break. They're 8-6 in that time period, and that mediocre record has allowed the Chicago Bulls to take control of the Eastern Conference. Miami has played some of their worst basketball over their last two games, getting killed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Those were road games against playoff teams, but they were butt-whoopings nonetheless.

They come home on Thursday night, and they're hosting the Dallas Mavericks. Eveen while they're playing poorly on the road, the heat have not lost at home during their post-break slump. They actually haven't lost at home since January 22. Dallas are a good team that are sub-par on the road, so the Heat should feel good about their chances in this NBA Finals rematch.

Game Date/Time: Thursday, March 29, 8:00 p.m. ET

Venue: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Florida

TV: TNT

For more on the two teams, head over to Miami Heat blog Peninsula is Mightier and Dallas Mavericks blog Mavs Moneyball, as well as SB Nation Dallas.

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