Mavs v. Heat: Game 2 Recap

Photoshop by  Payton Wales

MIAMI -- It was one of the biggest comebacks in NBA Finals history, and the Miami Heat were on the losing end of it.

Dirk Nowitzki walked away the hero, scoring 24 points, including the game-winning layup with 3.6 seconds left to help the Mavericks seal the Game 2 victory, 95-93, against the Heat. Nowitzki's layup capped off a monstrous 15-point comeback by the Mavericks late in the fourth quarter. The win evened the series with the Heat at one game a piece.

Dwyane Wade, who had 36 points, had a chance to win the game for Miami, but his desperation 3-pointer was off the mark as time expired.

With 7:15 left in the fourth quarter and the score, 88-73 in Miami's favor, Dallas looked more like boiled lobster than a contender. Then, Wade hit a 3-pointer in the corner. His celebration that followed, including 15 seconds worth of posing with his follow-through in the air, was just enough to irritate and motivate the Mavericks, proving to be the turning point of the game. 

From that point on, the Mavericks would play lockdown defense, only allowing the Heat to score a three by Mario Chalmers to tie the game with 24.5 seconds left, a shot that would tie the game 93-93. Jason Terry, who had been ineffective in Game 1 and the first half of Game 2, was the catalyst for the comeback, hitting a couple big jumpers to get the Mavericks off and running. Terry finished the game with 16 points.

Shawn Marion also added 20 points and eight rebounds to round out the box score for the Mavericks.

"I thought defensively we really got into them," Nowitzki said postgame about the rally. "We pressured them full court and we scrambled defensively. We even gave up some offensive rebounds, but we kept scrambling."

Miami's collapse was one of historic proportions and it also dealt them their first playoff loss in 10 games at home. The next three games will be in Dallas, starting with Game 3 on June 5. If Miami wants to get back down to South Beach, they must win at least one game.

Dallas Looks to Even The Score With Game 2 Win

Photoshop by Payton Wales

MIAMI --  Game 1 was anything but an offensive exhibition for either team and Game 2 doesn't look to get any better if for no other reason than Dirk Nowitzki's injured left hand.

Nowitzki, who tore a tendon in the middle finger of his left hand in the middle of Game 1, was 7-for-18 from the field May 31, a shooting performance well under par for the 12-year veteran. Things only look to get worse. The Mavericks look to overcome a poor shooting performance as well as improve their rebounding numbers to try and seal a Game 2 victory.

The mood seemed light at the Mavericks shoot around June 2 with players cracking jokes about Nowitzki's injured finger and imploring him to go the Ronnie Lott route and cut the digit off to ensure a championship. When asked about how they felt Nowitzki's injury would affect him and the team, his teammates tossed the jokes aside and showered the forward with praise.

Long-time teammate Jason Terry said, "I think Dirk can shoot the ball with his eyes closed, with no hands, if he had to, especially in a game of this magnitude." Terry went on to say a shooter can actually benefit from a hand injury because "it helps you lock in even more."

One thing is for sure, Terry and the rest of the Mavericks are confident in the abilities of their leader for Game 2 the question is: are they confident enough to help out this time? The Mavericks shot a playoff-low last game and are hoping to find some way to break out of that slump, including breaking through the Heat's impeccable perimeter defense and learning to play a little of their own.

Miami became comfortable behind the 3-point arc on 11-of-24 shooting, a total no other Maverick opponent has accomplished this year. While Dallas put on one of the worst shooting performances of their 2011 season, there is obvious room for improvement with both teams. The true question is who will have the will to make them?

One thing is for sure, whether the scoring is low or high, America is watching. Tuesday night's telecast was the highest overnight figures for an NBA Finals opener since the 2004 series between the Pistons and Lakers. If those numbers are any indication of what this series could turn out to be, then we should be in for a great one.

Miami Heat Win Game 1, Continue Finals Dominance Against the Mavericks

Photoshopped by Payton Wales

MIAMI -- The Dallas Mavericks' road to redemption stumbled coming out of the blocks May 31, when the Mavericks lost to the Miami Heat, 92-84.

For three quarters, the game was back and forth, a battle of who wanted it more. But when the dust settled, Miami's three superstars emerged victorious. LeBron James posted 24 points and 9 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Bosh posted 19 points to secure the Game 1 victory.

Dirk Nowitzki had a game-high 27 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter as he tried to help the Mavericks close the gap on the Heat late in the fourth quarter. Shawn Marion added 16 points and Jason Terry had 12 points, but it wasn't enough to help the Mavericks pull off a win. They shot 25-of-67 from the floor, their worst performance so far in these playoffs.

The offensive performance by the Miami Heat wasn't much better, shooting only 31-of-80 from the field on 38 percent shooting. But it was their 11-for-24 performance from behind the arc (45 percent) and their staggeringly-high rebound advantage that helped to propel them to a win.

When asked about the loss, Mavericks center Tyson Chandler blamed it all on "Finals jitters," while head coach Rick Carlisle promised “we’ll play better” June 2 for the Game 2 matchup, still on the Heat's home court.

The Mavericks, who are known for their outstanding ball movement, found it hard to get open shots due the stifling defense the Heat put up, specifically in the first and third quarters where the Heat held the Mavericks to 17 points in each quarter.

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki talked about the Mavericks offensive difficulties postgame saying, “They’re very good defensively. What makes them so good, they’re so athletic on the wing that even when we swung it sometimes, they’re able to cover a lot of ground, LeBron and Wade, and still run out at our shooters or contest shots on the weak side.

“They’re long and active on the perimeter and when we do get that opportunity to swing the ball, we have to knock shots down. That’s what it comes down to. When we do have some looks, we have to knock them down.”

The Mavericks might have more difficult roadblocks to overcome due to an injury suffered by Nowitzki. Early in the game, the Mavericks power forward suffered a torn tendon in his non-shooting hand.

“There’s a torn tendon in my finger,” he said at the postgame press conference with his hand in a brace. “It was just on a freak play. [Chris] Bosh got a bounce pass and stepped in. I thought I stripped him clean and then I kind of looked down and I couldn’t straighten my finger out anymore."

So the lingering question is will Nowitzki be ready to play come Thursday night? The true extent of the injury is still unknown, but Nowitzki will wear a splint for the rest of the series.

One thing is clear, the Mavericks will have to play a lot better if they want to defeat the Heat and regain the redemption they have been seeking since 2006.

Revenge, Superstition, and Atonment Are On The Line For The Mavericks

MIAMI -- There is a lot on the line starting tonight, and the Dallas Mavericks know it.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry are still feeling the sting from 2006. It was a title run with the Mavericks in the driver's seat, until the Miami Heat came back from a 2-0 deficit to win the title. But the true sting of it was the controversy that followed it. There were enough one-sided bad calls on behalf of the Heat to make even diehard anti-conspiracy theorists, such as Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, question the validity of the title.

Then add all the hopes and dreams of the basketball purist that ride on the shoulders of the Mavericks, a burden they inherited from the Chicago Bulls and their collapse against the Heat. Knowing the majority of America is in your corner is a great thing, but its also pressure -- a lot of pressure -- either to crack under or to motivate you.

Dallas seems ready for that pressure and so does Miami. Both have overcome pretty big teams to get to the championship and done it in grand fashion. Dallas finished off the Lakers in a four-game sweep, denying the champs a shot at a three-peat. The Heat made quick work of the Boston Celtics, winning the series in five games and denying them a shot at a second-straight Finals appearance.

Dallas seems to have the advantage on paper. They are two deep at every position and have been shooting lights out since the playoffs started. The Mavericks have also directed their focus on defense and managed to ratchet up the defensive intensity with every team they played. And, of course, let's not forget the German, quite possibly the most unguardable player in the NBA today. His numbers have been Hall of Fame-worthy in the 2011 playoffs.

Miami, on the other hand, has deficiencies on their bench. But what they lack in depth, they make up for with their stars: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. It's a three-headed monster that at times can be absolutely devastating, accumulating massive amounts of points in quick periods of time. Miami is also sporting one of the best defenses in the league and has overcome all odds to make it to the Finals.

Regardless of the turnout of this series, one thing is for sure, you will be tuned in to witness, you will watch intently to see if LeBron can overcome all his haters, self-inflicted of course. You will watch to see if Dirk can solidify his legacy and his place among the all-time greats. You will watch just because you know, no matter the outcome, you will have witnessed something great.

The Musical Stylings of Daniel Artest

Basketball and music go together; it’s a perfect marriage of sports and music. Other sports come close, but none are as perfect a match for music as basketball. The individuality mixed with the concept of team, the bravado, the flamboyant style, all a perfect match no matter what genre.

This is why the PBT wanted to bring you, the reader, a music section to keep you up-to-date with new music, what your favorite players are listening to and even dig into the crates and pull out some classics.

Our first contribution to this section is a special one. We managed to get the one and only Daniel Artest to the PBT  to talk about ball, his big brother Ron, and music. Hopefully, this will be painless, considering Daniel is a 6-foot-6, 280-pound bruiser and has years of battling Ron on the courts of Queens Bridge to give him legitimate tough guy status. Let’s just say, if anyone at the PBT disagrees with anything he says in this interview, no one is saying anything.

You can also follow Daniel's weekly blog over at  The No Look Pass It's a great read and some great incite into his life. 

So, without further ado, the musical stylings of Daniel Artest.

Payton Wales:  What you are doing now in relation to basketball?

Daniel Artest: Right now, I'm just doing a lot of teaching, coaching young kids and what not. I'm actually going to be working with this freshman in high school. He's really good, started as a frosh on his varsity team. I know with my knowledge and experience I can help him be the best.

PW: Very cool. It’s always good to hear about someone coaching young men. Speaking of which, you are a family man, raising three-fifths of a starting squad. Tell us about them.

DA: I am very blessed. I have three sons: the twins, Josiah and Nathaniel, are 2 years old, and then the youngest is Elijah who is 10 months. They, along with my wife, are all huge blessings in my life. 

PW:  Speaking of family, you and Ron must have had some battles on the courts growing up. If you and Ron played to a game of 11, what’s the final score?

DA: 10-10. But we won’t finish (laughs) because we’ll argue about the score. 

PW: Nice, sounds like my brother and I. Basketball has taken you a lot of places worldwide. What are your favorite places to play ball in the world? Best courts? Best competition?

DA:  I’ve played everywhere: Rucker Park, The Cage (W. 4th St.), Venice Beach in California, and at home in QB. Those are some of the best courts in the world. There is great competition there, plus all of the history that goes along with those places makes them great. The best competition overall is hands-down NYC. Playing at home made me a tough player. When I go out of town to play, I find that they have never really played against a physical player. It's a long night for them.

PW: We’ve talked before about how hard it is for others to play against you, but who is the best or most unstoppable player you have played against, outside of Ron? 

DA: Oh man … too many to name but @Chomocide (Corey Williams) is probably one of the best I've seen.  

(Editor’s note:  For those of you who don’t know who Corey Williams is. He is a 6-foot-3 guard from the Bronx who brought the pain while playing at Alabama State University and is currently crushing people in Australia for the Melbourne Tigers gaining 2010 MVP honors.)

PW: If you could play any other sport for a living, what would it be?

DA: I really can't see myself playing nothing but basketball. I love hooping.

PW: Fair answer. Who are your favorite teams, from the pros down to high school?

DA: San Antonio Spurs, St. John's Red Storm, Lasalle Academy (Ron's high school)

PW: Music is a big part of basketball culture and your brother is very involved in the music community. Is music just as important to you? If so, what’s your preferred genre?

DA: Music is important to me. It’s been in my life just as long as ball. I'm the type of person that's in love with my radio. I listen to a lot of stuff, but I love to listen to hip hop.

PW: What’s the first album you can remember listening to and falling in love with?

DA: Busta Rhymes "The Coming." I've always been a fan of his since I was a little kid. He’s extremely talented, funny and full of energy.

PW: What is the album that most reminds you of growing up?

DA:  Hard to pick just one. NYC was the home to great music when I was growing up. In the Bronx, you had Big Pun (Capital Punishment, 1999). In Queens, you had Mobb Deep (The Imfamous, 1995), Nas (Illmatic, 1994;  It Was Written 1996) and Capone & Norega (aka CNN, The War Report, 1997).

Mahattan was Mase (Harlem World. 1997), Diddy (No Way Out, 1997) and Camron (Confessions of Fire, 1998). In Brooklyn, Jay-Z (Reasonable Doubt, 1996; In My Lifetime Vol. 1, 1997), Biggie (Ready to Die,1994;  Life After Death, 1997) and Staten Island was the Wu Tang Clan (Enter the 36 Chambers, 1993; Forever, 1997). It was amazing back in the early to mid-90s.

PW: What album or song do you feel exemplifies your life?

DA:  "In The Zone" by the late Wayman Tisdale. It's a jazz album. Once I'm in my zone, it's hard to stop me,  whether it's basketball or life.

PW: Is there a song that reminds you of your first crush? Who was the crush?

DA: Maxwell, "This Women's Work." My first crush was my wife Amber Artest. Once I met her, I've had to have her forever and now I do.

PW: What are the top 10 songs on your iPod/mp3 player.
DA: 1. Styles P: "Born in these streets"

2. The Beatles: "Eleanor Rigby"

3. Sam Cooke: "Basin Street Blues"

4. Busta Rhymes: "Show me what you got"

5. The Beatles: "PS, I Love You"

6. Wayman Tisdale: "Watch Me Play"

7. Ron Artest: "Champions"

8. Busta Rhymes: "Enjoy The Ride"

9. The Beatles: "HELP"

10. Jenn-Jenn: "Close Your Eyes"

PW: What song are you ashamed to admit you like? Why do you like it?

DA: "Love Me Do" by The Beatles. I just think it's catchy.

PW: Who is an artist that people would be surprised to hear you like. Why do you like them?

DA:  Israel and New Breed. They're gospel. A lot of people don't listen to gospel. I love it because it's uplifting, and when I'm down, I rely on God's word to lift me up.

PW: You’re from Queens Bridge. There are a lot of great hip hop artists that have come out of there, Nas being one of them. Who are some artists from there people don’t know about?

DA:  Nature, Cormega, World Wide Warriors, Bars & Hooks. They are dope rappers.

PW: Do you get down with rock ‘n’ roll? If so, what’s your absolute must-have album?

DA: I really don't listen to rock 'n' roll. I guess anything by the Beatles.

PW: Who is an artist you think is crazy but brilliant all at once? Why?

DA:  Lady GaGa. Why? Because she's "crazy and brilliant." (laughs)

PW: What current hip-hop artist do you still see yourself listening to 10 years from now?

DA: None. Today’s artists aren't good. I only listen to mid-90s hip hop.

PW: Has a song ever made you cry? If so, which one?

DA:  "You Are Worthy." It’s a gospel song that bought me to tears.

PW: What do you think is the perfect wedding song?

DA: "Share My Life" by Kem. It's a great song. The words are amazing.

PW: Song you want played at you memorial service. Why? Who would you want to sing it?

DA:  I'm too young to think about dying. (laughs)

PW: Music someone would have heard if they were walking around your house when you were a kid.

DA: A lot of "The Temptations" music.

PW: What artist do you wish you could be or have their talent?

DA: Styles P. He's a lyrical genius.

PW: If you could have any person from any era sing you happy birthday, who would it be?

DA: Whitney Houston. She's an amazing singer, very beautiful and powerful voice.

PW: Your brother is tied to music in a strong way with his own music label and career, but what song not written by Ron himself reminds you of your brother?

DA: "Ante up" by M.O.P. That song is like Ron on the court, all energy!

I am Daniel M Artest and I approve this message. {end}

Urbana Steals Bases And A Win Against Kenwood, Secures Spot In Quarterfinals

TIMONIUM, Md. -- After four days of rainy weather, game cancellations and unplayable field conditions, the Urbana Hawks boys baseball team got their chance to play May 20 and simply decided they didn't want to stop, taking the 5-3 win against the Kenwood Blue Birds.

The Hawks, riding the momentum of the day after closing a win against Dulaney earlier in the morning, opened up with a three-run first inning against Kenwood senior Shane Campbell. Campbell, who will play for the University of Maryland next year, seemed to struggle with his control in the first inning, resulting in four walks and one hit before he could retire the side. By then, the damage was done and Urbana took advantage of their speed, stealing multiple bases outright and several others off fielding errors.

Stolen bases were commonplace for Urbana throughout the game. When asked about the 15 total Urbana stole, Hawks coach Mike Frownfelter said, "In pregame, we looked at how strong their catcher's arm was. We saw a weakness and took advantage of it."

Kenwood countered Urbana's first-inning onslaught, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first to keep within striking distance. Over the next two innings, Campbell, who finished the game with 11 strikeouts, regained his ball control and was almost perfect over the next two innings, striking out four of six batters and grounding out the other two. Kenwood capitalized on his performance, evening the score in the bottom of the third with a walk-in run. 

That was the last run the Hawks Jeff Bynaker would surrender to Kenwood. Bynaker made the most of this opportunity, using it to finish his first complete game of the season.  The senior pitcher, who had six strikeouts for the game, allowed his team to do a lot of the defense for him, earning him high praise from his coach. 

"We just needed him to throw strikes," Frownfelter said. "Three games in two days, we just needed someone to eat up innings and Jeff did a great job of that."

Bynaker was also responsible for the Hawks final two runs, driving in one and then stealing home off an infield error in the fourth inning to help to lead the Hawks to victory.

Blue Birds coach Don Keener said there were no surprises in Urbana's style of play. 

"We were pretty prepared. We just didn't hit the ball," he said. "We had a chance to break this open or at least get the lead. There were just too many walks, four or five runs were walks.

"It's just a tough way to lose, but we fought them to the end. They're not a bad team."

Earlier in the day, the Hawks, who finished the season with a 6-12 record, defeated the 14-4 Dulaney Lions, 2-0, in a 10-inning game to advance to the third round of the Maryland 4A Boys Baseball Championships, setting them up for the matchup against Kenwood. 

Urbana will try to prove they are more than their record in the semifinals May 21, where they play the winner of Westminster v. Thomas Johnson.

Bulls Withstand Heat, Still Running Around in Miami's China Shop.

CHICAGO -- The rumors of the Bulls' demise may have been premature.

Going into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, many critics gave the Chicago Bulls little chance to win the series. Most said they would be swept or only win one game, if only by some type of luck. But the Bulls had other plans Sunday, serving notice to the Miami Heat with a 103-82 drubbing. The message in the notice was simple: You've won nothing and this will not be easy.

The Bulls dismantled the Heat in Game 1 behind 28 points from Derrick Rose and a superb defensive effort by Luol Deng on LeBron James. The win gives the Bulls a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 coming up May 18. The Bulls, who swept the Heat in the regular season, will look to maintain their home court advantage in the playoffs with a win Wednesday.

How will they do it? With the same formula as Game 1: attack the offensive glass, plenty of man-to-man switching and a gritty, hard-nosed defense that has been the staple of any defense Tom Thibodeau is part of. In Game 1, Johkim Noah and Carlos Boozer wreaked havoc in the paint on the offenisive glass, providing the Bulls with plenty of second-chance opportunities. The two also provided great help defensively, while also providing some much-needed scoring.

The Bulls "Bench Mob," as they like to be called, also provided a spark by extending the lead and playing lock-down defense. But the plays that may have blown the lid off the game were two monster dunks by Taj Gibson late in the game. The Bulls, behind the energy of Gibson's two-handed slam and put-back tomahawk, gained a momentum the Heat would never overcome to finish out the game.

Miami's Chris Bosh had 30 points in the game, but it was not indicative of the defense being played on him or the rest of his team. Bosh was the option Chicago wanted Miami to use, and use it they did. As much as they feed Bosh, he was only capable of carrying the Heat so far without the help of Miami's two true stars in James and Dwyane Wade.

It may only be one game and one win for the Bulls, but in the scheme of things, it's really four games for the entire season. Four games that displayed a defense Miami cannot elude. Four games where the idea of a true team won over the idea of three self-entitled superstars. Four games where we saw the defense we expected from the Boston Celtics in the playoffs come shining through in the form of the Chicago Bulls. It's four games where the insecurities and self-doubt the Heat displayed early in the season has a chance to surface again. This time when it matters most.

One game can make a difference. One game can create doubt. One game can remind players there were three others they couldn't win as well. In that case, one game can really be four.

And that's just how these Bulls like it.