Excited for Game 2.
I'm going to give my keys of the game for the Mavericks. Can't be bothered to for the Heat, since they are doing a lot of good at the moment.
1. Be better on the boards. The Mavericks were ranked 14th in the regular season for rebounding, and it really showed in Game 1. Dirk grabbed 8 boards in 40 minutes, which is okay but not great for a guy who is 7 feet. Worse was Tyson Chandler who grabbed only 4 rebounds in 34 minutes and was out-rebounded by his backup Brendan Haywood who grabbed 7 boards in less than half the minutes. For a guy who averaged 9.4 RPG in 29 MPG in the regular season, that's just not going to cut it. Give credit to the Heat for being active on the offensive glass, but there is no way a skinny Bosh should be grabbing 5 offensive rebounds in one game. Wade got 3 as well. If it wasn't for Shawn Marion grabbing 10 boards, significantly higher than his stats all year round, the Mavs would have been even more destroyed on the glass - so they have to turn that up if they want to win.
2. Close out on Heat shooters. Granted the Heat aren't known as a great 3 point team, but LeBron and Wade are arguably the two of the best three or four best scorers in the league. If you don't even contest them on the perimeter, they are bound to get hot and hit a few treys. The Heat hitting 11/24 from deep was definitely an anomaly, and the 3 point shot is usually Dallas' calling card. This is a must-reverse if they want to be in position to win.
3. Max out production from Jason Terry and JJ Barea. Let's face it, the Mavericks are not an elite defensive team - and they won't be able to suddenly become one simply because they know they need to. They are good but they aren't the Celtics or Bulls, and they don't have the personnel, coaching or discipline to suddenly turn it on and shut down the Heat. Wade and LeBron will likely not be held to low production in this series unless they happen to have an off night. As such the Mavericks need Terry and Barea to turn it on. Not only are Terry and Barea key scorers, but their quickness will make the Heat's rotations react; and with Dallas' great ball movement this will lead to more open looks. Too often was Terry hoisting up long treys instead of putting the ball on the floor. If these two don't find a way to get it done, expect the Mavericks to keep losing.