Point Guards: Jason Kidd vs. Mike Bibby
The amazing Jason Kidd has lost some of his quickness and athleticism since his last Finals' appearance in 2003, but he still has the play-making ability to set up his teammates in good positions to score. In addition, he has turned into a reliable, clutch three-point shooter, and an above average defender on the perimeter. Mike Bibby doesn't really play enough minutes to have a large impact on a game, but what he brings is decent outside shooting to keep defenses honest when collapsing on the slashing LeBron and D-Wade.
Edge: Mavericks
Edge: Mavericks
Shooting Guards: DeShawn Stevenson vs. Dwayne Wade
This isn't really a fair match-up since Stevenson plays very sparing minutes (only averaging 15.3 minutes per game in the playoffs). What he does bring is toughness to the back court of Dallas, as he is an above average defender who isn't afraid to get physical with opposing guards. While not a great outside shooter, Stevenson can attack the rim and score in the painted area. However, his worth will be trying to slow down Dwayne Wade, who has cooled off after a sizzling start in the playoffs but is still the most dangerous shooting guard in the league at the moment. When he is attacking the rim and getting to the foul-line, Wade is at his most dangerous, as it opens up his jump shot as well as his play-making ability. Stevenson must play solid defense when he is guarding Wade by keeping him from getting to the lane and from shooting free-throws, and by forcing him to shoot jump shots.Significant Edge: Heat
Small Forwards: Shawn Marion vs. LeBron James
I really think the Matrix is the key to the whole series for Dallas. Marion played extremely well in the West Finals against OKC: playing excellent defense without fouling (frustrating Kevin Durant), being aggressive offensively (whether through post-ups, or attacking the rim off on the dribble drive), and rebounding effectively. In order for Big D to end up lifting the trophy, Marion plays a key role in contributing consistently offensively as well as playing solid defense on the hottest player in the league right now. That, of course, is the King himself. Despite how all of Cleveland and most of America (including me) has hate on LeBron for his "Decision", he is playing out of his mind right now. Single-handedly taking over games in crunch-time (including a superhuman performance in Game 5 @ Chicago), LeBron has rescued stagnant Miami offense possessions in the fourth quarter with incredible drives or shots, while also fueling the Heat's disciplined athletic defense through his ability to swat away shots at the rim and his strength to rebuild effectively. Not to mention the fact that he unstoppable in the open-court on fast-breaks.Edge: Heat
Power Forwards: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Chris Bosh
Dirk is a man on a mission, and if you haven't seen him play in the playoffs this year, you have been missing out. Impossible to guard because of his large amount of different moves he can put on you, while possessing an incredible shooting touch as a 7-footer, Nowitzki has been sizzling and unstoppable as of late, averaging 28.4 ppg and 7.5 rpg this postseason. You can't guard him one-on-one, as OKC did, because he will torch you. If you double-team, as the Lakers did, he also possesses the basketball IQ and ability to pass out and find open shooters on the perimeter. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh, much maligned this season, finally seems to have found his niche in Miami's often stagnant offense, and played extremely well against the Bulls, going for 30+ twice in the five game series. Bosh's key in this series will be trying to guard Dirk in this series without fouling and putting an all-time great shooter at the foul-line for free points.
Edge: MavericksCenters: Tyson Chandler vs. Joel Anthony
Chandler has brought an inside presence and a level of toughness to Dallas that they have lacked before this season. An outstanding rebounder, good shot blocker, and a great alley-oop finisher, Chandler will play a major role in protecting the rim against LeBron and D-Wade. Joel Anthony, meanwhile has emerged as the premier center on the Heat due to his excellent defensive presence down low. How well he defends and rebounds against Chandler and the other Dallas bigs will go a long way in determining the outcome of the series.
Edge: Mavericks
Bench: Jason Terry/Peja Stojakovic/JJ Barea vs. James Jones/Mario Chalmers/Udonis Haslem
The Jet is a multiple NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner and is the primary perimeter scorer that the Mavs turn to late in games. Meanwhile, the resurgence of sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic has added more three-point shooting to help spread the floor for Dirk and driving lanes for the Maverick guards, like little JJ Barea, whose constant penetration and timely shot-making killed the Lakers and Thunder late in games.
Miami's bench is filled with a bunch of veterans, who do not have the explosive scoring ability as the Dallas reserves, but do play a role in giving LeBron and D-Wade occasional breathers. Jones is a knockdown three-point champion, while Mario Chalmers' quickness defensively and shooting threes can pose problems for opposing guards. Chalmers vs. Barea should be fun matchup to watch whenever they are on the court together. The comeback of Udonis Haslem has also boosted Miami's bench, as he can hit the 20-foot jump shot and is also a great rebounder.
Edge: Mavericks
Coaches: Rick Carlisle vs. Eric Spoulstra
Carlisle won a title as a player with the Celtics and has done a good job putting all the parts together in his third season in Dallas. Spoulstra meanwhile, has also managed the Heat well, instilling a defense-first mentality. However, his offensive philosophy (consisting of LeBron and D-Wade isolation and high-pick-and-rolls) bores me to death.
Edge: Mavericks
The Keys
I really think the series comes down to Dallas' guards stepping up and making plays down the stretch of games. Miami's defense really locks down dribble penetration late in games, so whether it is Barea, Terry, or Kidd making outside shots or setting up Dirk inside, Dallas must not go stagnant in the fourth quarter of games and be able to hold fourth quarter leads against the hottest player in the game right now in LeBron James. Getting to the free-throw line early and often is also key for both teams. Getting free points for Dirk from the charity stripe is often the best offense for Dallas in the fourth quarter of games, while LeBron and D-Wade's outside shooting seem to get going after getting fouled and making free-throws. Both teams will have to defend well, without fouling, as well as rebound to prevent second chance points for the other team, to end up lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
My prediction: With LeBron and the Heat defense playing this well, everyone has jumped on the Miami bandwagon. But, I will pick against them anyway, because of Dallas' superior depth off the bench, good outside shooting, and the fact that this may be the last chance Dirk and Jason Kidd have to win a ring. Plus, I can't picture LeBron smirking with the trophy in his hand without throwing up (just like all of Cleveland). 
win series in seven games, 4-3
win series in seven games, 4-3
Last round’s record: 2-0
Playoff record: 11-3
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