All of the Lights

Photoshop by Payton Wales

MIAMI -- This was not where the Miami Heat thought they would be when this series started. Flying back home to Miami not for a parade, rather for Game 6 in a series they are down 3-2.

If you ask the Heat, they would say they should be up in the series 3-2. If you ask the Mavericks, they would tell you they should have won this already 4-1.  The Mavericks may have a case though.

Game 3 was riddled with bad calls in favor of the Heat, including a buzzer beater at halftime that, upon further review, was a backcourt violation. The shot covered the margin of victory for the Heat and gave them a 2-1 series lead.

Truth is this series has been one of the closest in years. Both teams fought for every second of every game, giving viewers the feeling of an epic tug-of-war. The Mavericks, who started the series heavily depending on superstar Dirk Nowitzki, have come together as a team, playing better defense and increasing their scoring in every game.

The Heat, who looked to be unstoppable after Game 1, sputtered in the last two games, finding it hard to keep up with the Mavericks' late-game charges. LeBron James has seemingly lost confidence in the last two games, proving ineffective and almost nonexistent in fourth quarters, a far cry from his dominance in the Eaastern Conference Finals.

To add injury to insult, Heat guard and team leader Dwyane Wade severely injured his hip in Game 5, limiting his minutes and effectiveness as a scorer. Miami's role players have done a good job keeping them in the last two games, but their efforts have not been enough.

Tonight, there is an air of finality to the game for the first time in this series. Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks can close out the Heat, ending the hype and making waste of all the pomp and circumstance that started almost a year ago with "The Decision."

Tonight, all of the lights will be shining and these two teams will finally feel the full-on pressure of the Finals.

The Mavericks will know the pressure of closing out the Finals against a team fighting desperately to stay alive, a team trying to prove there is more to them than rumors of collusion and bad decisions, that they are more than two superstars and Chris Bosh, but rather a collection of like-minded individuals with good chemistry and a respect for team.

For the Heat, they battle not only the Mavericks, but also the American public. A public that wants them to lose, a public that has been disgusted with the hype, the media coverage and arrogance the Heat have garnered. Tonight, the Heat have one game to keep their dream alive and earn the right to play one last time, to prove the critics, the media, the Mavericks and America wrong.

Tonight, there is no place left for either team to hide. Tonight, it's now or never, and tonight we will see it, right before our eyes, under all of the lights.