(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks came into the 2024 NBA playoffs as a dark-horse contender because their record didn’t reflect the type of basketball they had been playing after the trade deadline.
After acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford from the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, respectively, the Mavericks became an entirely different team on both ends of the floor.
Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals is beyond impressive considering who they had to beat to get there.
The Mavericks managed to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves in their playoff run and now will get the opportunity to play for a title for the first time in over a decade.
The last time Dallas was in the Finals, they beat the Miami Heat in six games to capture their first championship in franchise history.
Ahead of Game 1 of the Finals, “This Day In Sports Clips” reminded Mavericks fans of their thrilling Game 2 comeback win against the Heat.
“June 2, 2011: Down 15 points with just over seven minutes left in the 4th of G2 of the Finals, the Mavs close out the game on a 22-5 run to beat the Heat 95-93,” they tweeted.
June 2, 2011: Down 15 points with just over seven minutes left in the 4th of G2 of the Finals, the Mavs close out the game on a 22-5 run to beat the Heat 95-93. pic.twitter.com/4UfjaDCQLj
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) June 2, 2020
Down 0-1 in the series, Dallas looked like they were heading back home with two losses under their belt before mounting a furious fourth-quarter comeback.
In the clip, players like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki hit incredibly timely shots, particularly the latter who got open for a lefty layup to give the Mavericks the lead in the waning seconds.
Dwyane Wade missed a half-court heave to win the game and the Mavericks went on to use that game to climb back in the series and ultimately win it.
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