The 2011 NBA Finals might not qualify as pretty given the tremendous defensive play from both squads, but the series has certainly been compelling. The drama continues tonight as Dallas looks to exit the Lone Star State with a 3-2 lead over the Heat. Tip off in this evening's pivitol Game 5 is scheduled for 9:00p.m. ET at the American Airlines Center; it will be broadcast live on ABC. Sports Betting Odds have the Mavericks listed as a slight -1 against the spread favorite and the Over/Under set at 184.5.
Miami has looked like the better team for 
the better part of each Finals game, but it still finds itself locked in a 2-2 tie after another gutty late performance from Dallas on Tuesday night.
The Heat are, arguably, the best defensive team in the league, and they have made Dallas, a good shooting team, look awful offensively for large chunks of the series. That, however, was not true in Game 4. Yes, the Mavericks looked bad on Tuesday, shooting 39.7 percent from the field, including 21.1 percent from beyond the arc, but, in large part, they just missed a number of open shots.
But, like they have done most of the series, the Mavericks somehow found the nylon down the stretch while stifling Miami's offense. A sick Dirk Nowitzki nailed a couple of critical late baskets, including a driving layup in the game's final seconds, to help Dallas escape with a 86-83 victory.
Nowitzki finished the night with 21 points and 11 rebounds; center Tyson Chandler also produced a double-double in the key win, coming away with 13 points and 16 boards.
Dwyane Wade had another monster game for the Heat, scoring 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting, but LeBron James scored a career playoff low eight points. James did account for nine rebounds and seven assists, however, Miami will, obviously, need more scoring from the two-time MVP tonight if it hopes to head back to South Florida with a series lead.
Dallas' triumph on Tuesday marked its eighth win in its last 10 meetings with the Heat.
Heat vs Mavericks Odds Game 5 NBA Finals 2011:
Miami Heat +1 (-110), Over 184.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks -1 (-110), Under 184.5 (-110)
