[Tommy]

By Michael Robinson.

Dallas is a 4.5 favorite over Miami in Thursday's home opener and -150 to win the NBA championship.

Frontcourt

Miami center, Shaquille O’Neal is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now. It is partially because he knows this could be his last chance at a title, and it is partially because he wants to stick it to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for trading him before last season.

O’Neal is joined in the frontcourt by gritty power forward, Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker. Walker has his limitations on the court, but he can be an effective third scoring option.

Dallas’ starting frontcourt is of course led by the big German, Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki has been very “Larry Bird like” during these playoffs, including a 50 point performance in a Game 5 win over Phoenix.

Dallas will start DeSagana Diop at center, and his defense and shot-blocking will provide Shaq his toughest test of the post-season. Josh Howard is the small forward, and he has really emerged in the playoffs as an all-star caliber player. Edge: Push

Backcourt

Miami’s Dwyane Wade is obviously a great player, which is not exactly a newsflash. In the post-season, Wade is leading the team in points (26.2), assists (6.4), steals (2.06), and is second in blocked shots (1.18).

Jason Williams is his backcourt mate, and he has done a good job of keeping himself in control in these playoffs. Williams’ 21 points in the deciding Game 6 against Detroit was second on the team behind Shaq.

Dallas’ backcourt counters with the duo of Jason Terry and Devin Harris. It is kind of an “old school” pairing where the point guard and shooting guard are pretty interchangeable. Terry is going to need to score in bunches for Dallas to win this series, while Harris needs to avoid the jitters that he has exhibited too often lately. Edge: Miami

Bench

Dallas center Erik Dampier may be the most important backup in this series. He will be called upon to play major minutes substituting for Diop. Dampier needs to keep Shaq honest defensively by scoring in the post. Dampier is also sure to use all six of his fouls so that Shaq goes to the line as opposed to getting easy slam dunks and lay-ups.

Jerry Stackhouse is the Mavericks’ sixth man, and as long as he scores, then coach Avery Johnson is happy. Don’t expect much rebounding, passing, or defense from the one-dimensional Stackhouse.

Adrian Griffin, Keith Van Horn and Marquis Daniels are three other options off the Dallas bench.

The Miami bench is not as deep as Dallas’ but they have a couple of very hungry veterans in Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning, both of whom are looking for their first NBA championship.

Payton and Mourning have been great players in this league for well over a decade, and they will take a ring even if it is as complimentary parts. James Posey is another key component off the bench as he provides defense, and he can knock down the three-pointer. Edge: Dallas

Coaching

Coach Pat Riley has taken a lot of Heat (no pun intended) for making himself the coach of the team, and getting rid of long-time loyalist Stan Van Gundy. If Riley wins the title though, the critics will be silenced and Riley will have a great capping point to his coaching career.

Dallas coach Avery Johnson does not have Riley’s experience, but he has played enough in the NBA finals where he will not be fazed. Johnson has done a tremendous job all season, but Riley gets the edge as his players believe he is a messiah that will lead them to the “promise land.” Edge: Miami

Prediction

On paper, there is not a lot separating these two teams. Sure, Miami has two legitimate superstars versus one for Dallas. However, Dallas is the younger and more athletic squad overall, and they have all-important home court advantage.

The difference could be that veterans Payton and Mourning turn back the clock and play like they are 10 years younger. Even Antoine Walker is playing team basketball right now in hopes of earning his first ring.

All the karma seems to be pointing Miami’s way, and I believe that Pat Riley will reach the pinnacle of pro basketball once gain. Pick: Miami in Six.

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