After a week of dramatic, defence-oriented basketball, the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat are knotted up at two games apiece in the 2011 NBA Finals. Game 5 goes tonight in Dallas, and the stakes feel about as big as they could possibly be for a non-deciding game.
Dallas has stayed alive in this series thanks to the heroics of Dirk Nowitzki, who led a furious fourth-quarter rally to steal Game 2 and battled through a 102-degree fever to score the winning basket in Game 4. Outside of his performance, it’s been a pretty bleak series for the aging Mavs, who have looked physically outmatched by the Heat’s Big Three. Jason Kidd and Peja Stojakovic have been invisible, Jason Terry can’t make a shot, and J.J. Barea seems to have lost his magic. Dirk is the only player that scores consistently, and Udonis Haslem has been making it hard for him.

Dirk knows his team is hanging on by a thread and heading to South Beach down 3-2 would be a virtual death sentence. He called tonight’s game “our Game 7,” likely hoping to set a fire under his underperforming supporting cast.

But if there’s anyone under more pressure to perform tonight than the Mavericks, it’s LeBron James. Fairly or not, this Finals has turned into a referendum on his career, legacy, and manhood. He was largely invisible in the fourth quarter of Game 3, deferring on offence to Dwyane Wade and focusing on defence. CBSSports.com’s Gregg Doyel decided that was an opportunity to inject himself into NBA news headlines, accusing him in the post-game press conference of “shrinking” in big moments.

Doyel was rightly ridiculed, but then LeBron absolutely disappeared in Game 4, scoring only eight points. Now critics are asking if he’s tired, if he’s scared, or if he’s damaged by all the criticism. In a strange echo of last season’s what-happened-to-LeBron blog rumours, Stephen A. Smith has now started a wildfire of speculation that he’s distracted by “personal” issues.

Like Dirk, he’s recognized the importance of Game 5, calling it the biggest game of his career. Not only is it a chance to all but bury the Mavs and claim his first NBA title, it’s a chance to silence the critics that so desperately want to discredit him.

If James channels all these frustrations and comes out on the attack, driving into the paint as only he can do, the Mavs are finished. If he tries to shut people up by launching jump shots, the chorus of critics will only grow louder. He has the chance to put the finishing touches on his first championship season, and the guess here is he does it.
Led by LeBron, the Heat take Game 5, and polish off the Mavs at home in Game 6.

The NBA is often mistakenly pegged as a league where teams succeed on the strength of their stars, but making a deep playoff run usually requires surprising contributions from the guys you wouldn’t expect. The Western Conference is loaded once again this year, and even the Lakers will need a supporting player or two to step up.

Here are some of the guys most likely to step up for their respective teams in the tough Western Conference playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner, PF

The Red Rocket is a fan favorite anywhere he goes, and his ability to stretch the floor at the 4-spot – he shot almost 46% from three-point range this year – makes life much easier for guys like Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair inside.

Los Angeles Lakers: Matt Barnes, SF

Barnes brings a lot of edge every time he hits the court, crashing the boards, going after loose balls and getting in opponents’ faces, like an NBA version of NHL pests like Sean Avery.

His hustle and defense is all the more valuable in the playoffs, and while he isn’t the greatest shooter, he is capable of hitting the odd clutch three here and there.

Dallas Mavericks: J.J. Barea, PG

One of the more annoying players in the NBA, Barea brings the Mavs plenty of energy off the bench when Jason Kidd needs a rest – which at this stage in his career, is becoming more and more frequent. Barea is the kind of player opposing fans hate – whether he’s flopping to draw an ill-timed charge or hitting a clutch three. He can piss off an arena better than a WWE villain.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Serge Ibaka, PF

Ibaka has been on a tear since Kendrick Perkins joined him in the OKC frontcourt at the trade deadline. An incredibly athletic forward who runs the floor like a gazelle, he blocks a ton of shots and allows the young Thunder to play an exciting, up-tempo style that few teams can match.

Denver Nuggets: J.R. Smith, SG

I was going to give shut-down defender Arron Afflalo this spot, but a hamstring injury has kept him out of Denver’s first two playoff games, and after seeing the Thunder run them off the floor last night, they might only get two more.

So Smith gets the nod here. An incredibly athletic two-guard with unlimited range on his jump shot, he’s as dangerous a bench scorer as there is in basketball. Unfortunately, he likes to remind fans about that unlimited range by taking a remarkable amount of terrible shots.

But when he’s good, he’s very good. If he takes – and makes – good shots, he could win a playoff game or two by himself.

Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy, SG

It pains me to think Brandon Roy has declined to the point where his contributions are essentially bonuses for the Blazers. He’s a 26-year-old three-time All-Star with an exceptionally well-rounded game and great leadership skills.

Unfortunately, he also has some of the worst knees in sports. He’s now a bit player for the franchise that made him a star, and could be out of the league in a couple years.

But for now, he could still offer some bench scoring and work as a distributor for the team’s second unit. If the Blazers are going to get by the Mavs, they’ll need an efficient second unit, and Roy could be its linchpin.

New Orleans Hornets: Jarrett Jack, PG

The Hornets have one of the three best point guards in the NBA in Chris Paul, but his back-up could also prove vital if the Hornets are to have a shot at upsetting the deep Lakers.

Jack isn’t the quickest point guard, but plays with a lot of physicality and isn’t afraid to take big shots. His size and strength make him a viable option at two-guard, playing alongside Paul.

Memphis Grizzlies: Shane Battier, SF

One of the smartest players in basketball, Battier is also one of the most quietly valuable players in the league. He’s an excellent man-to-man and team defender, a reliable passer, and he can consistently knock down corner threes.

And when it comes to playoff X-factors, defense and shooting are the first two things that come to mind. Battier excels in both categories.

It’s been a while since Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has been in the news for making his feelings known about the NBA’s officiating. Well, wait no more, because Cuban lost it during the Mavericks’ 99-97 loss in Denver. Cuban allegedly swore at an official who, he thought, made a bad call on Dallas guard Jason Terry, sending the Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups to the line to make the game-winning free throws. Watch the game highlights and you can make the call:

Cuban also confronted Denver swingman J.R. Smith at halftime for an elbow thrown at Dallas’ Antoine Wright. Smith responded by sending Cuban a pair of signed sneakers, while Denver coach George Karl made his feelings known about Cuban talking to his players. But he should know….Cuban doesn’t care one bit. This is a dude who has been fined 13 times for a total of almost $1.7 million. Look at his commitment; the Mavericks don’t even have good NBA betting odds, and he’s still gettin’ on the ref and the opposition. Nice work Mark Cuban, Roy Jordan salutes you.