The Mavericks were in town, too. They had won Games 1 and 2 easily and overwhelmingly back in Dallas, 90-80, 99-85.
Determined to finish the job, the Mavs were so confident they reportedly had a championship parade route already drawn out.
Perhaps slowed by the humidity of Florida’s unforgiving summer, the Mavs started sluggishly and trailed 31-21 in the second quarter. But Dallas kept running and running until they captured the lead.
And then it came down to this: With 6:15 left in the fourth quarter, Dallas led 89-76.
After an 82-game regular season grind, after a tough playoffs run in the West, the Mavs finally arrived at the doorstep of greatness. So close they could feel the Larry O’Brian trophy in their arms, so close they could feel the championship rings slide snugly through their fingers.
But everything would soon unravel. What looked like a fantasy tale for Dallas quickly turned into a Shakespeare tragedy.
In those six minutes and 15 seconds, Dallas crumbled. But the collapse went beyond just losing Game 3 and a 13-point lead. On that Tuesday night, the Mavs also lost their fight, their confidence, and the championship that was theirs for the grabbing.
The Mavs may have faded, but they didn’t die. And so here they are again, chasing immortality in the 2007 NBA playoffs.
Motivated by last year’s implosion, the Mavs raced past the regular season with a 67-15 won-lost slate. They’re much stronger now, significantly better, and discernibly wiser. Hopefully, they’re mentally tougher too.
As the No.1 seed, with homecourt advantage throughout the postseason, will the Mavs finally come through this time? Or, will they not cower and hide the moment the ghost of Dwyane Wade comes knocking down the door?
The best way to find out is seeing Dallas back in the Finals, returning to the scene of the crime.
But just like last year, the West is not promised. Whether it’s slowing down Steve Nash and the Suns, or stopping Tim Duncan and the Spurs, the Mavs must go through a pothole that could break the axle of their title aspirations.
As for the East, I hope to be in Miami for this June’s Finals. But my gut tells me that I’ll end up in Auburn Hills, near the Palace, home of the Detroit Pistons.
ISUZU RIDES AGAIN. The other day, Magna Media International confirmed my credentials to the Oscar Dela Hoya-Floyd Mayweather duel this May 5 at the MGM Grand, where BoomBoom Bautista will fight in the undercard alongside ALA stablemate AJ Banal.
Through dyAB, I will broadcast those fights live at ringside. I have been been looking for sponsors to help finance my trip and I am grateful for Isuzu Cebu at Ayala for once again coming to my rescue.
A million thanks to Engr. Dodong Castanares and Engr. Bobby Fornolles, two of the pillars at Isuzu Cebu.
