Four Bold Predictions for the 2011 NBA Finals

The 2011 NBA Finals is set with pre-season favorite Miami Heat taking on the underrated Dallas Mavericks. Can the Heat, led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, fulfill their destiny after they joined forces last Summer? Or will the Mavericks be able to earn the title that slipped away from them the last time these two teams met?

Here are four bold predictions for the 2011 NBA Finals courtesy of TASF.

Wade Will Show Us He is Still King in Miami

During the Bulls series, Wade did not look like his normal self. Passing up shots and only managing to hit 40.5% when he did tkae the chance. Despite this, Wade still managed to make the key shots in Game 5.

If the Heat are going to win, they will need Wade's offense and he is going to have no problem against DeShawn Stevenson. Expect Wade to earn the MVP honors as well if the Heat come away with the series.

Dirk Nowitzki is Not Superman

So far in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki has been the best player on the court and at times has placed the team on his back and carried them through the game. This is not the winning formula if the Mavericks want to bring home a title.

The Mavericks will need to rely on their bench, especially Jason Terry, since they are taking on a Heat team that is going to rely heavily on their Big Three. Terry and the rest will need to step up their game to help minimize any chance of the game getting away. If their bench players keep the Heat in check, they will have a chance.

Game One Will be Key

This is going to be a highly contested series at the beginning as each team figures the other one out. The Heat have shown they are quick learners and can take over a series after the first few games with the Bulls series. The sports media had written the Heat off after the Bulls dominated game one. The Heat came back and controlled the remainder of the series.

The Mavericks will need to find a way to continue their trend in the playoffs by opening the series with a win. They showed they could win on the road in the opening game when they beat the Lakers. They should have an easier time in Miami with a crowd that is mediocre at best.

Forget the History

Yes the Mavericks are still stung by losing to the Heat the last time they in the NBA Finals. But that was five years ago and this is a different Heat team. Forget about the 2-0 season series the Mavericks took from the Heat. They were before Christmas and each team has grown since.

While the Mavericks have been playing great basketball, the Heat have used their suffocating defense to control their opponents. Expect to see more of this in the series as the Heat earn their second title.

2011 NBA Finals Prediction - Miami Heat Win the Series in 6 Games