A Few Good Men: Dallas takes a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals

Jason Terry spreads his wings after hitting a big 3 in Game 5
(image by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

On most nights, when the Miami Heat bench produce 40 points and the 3-Headed Monster lets out 59 points, 22 rebounds and 19 assists, Erik Spoelstra can sip some Gatorade in peace.

But not this night.

Because this night the talent and bravado teeming from the Miami quintet lost to the resiliency and urgency of the Dallas Mavericks.

LeBron James goes back home down 2-3
(image by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This night the Heat are one loss away from questioning “The Decision.”

This night the Mavs are one win away from the biggest milestone in franchise history.

Sssshhh. Don’t jinx it.

It’s not over yet. Dallas still needs one more, and they won’t play in Dallas anymore.

But the good guys can sip their Gatorades and soak this one up for a while. They deserve it.

The good guys.

There were many of those tonight.

Take Brian Cardinal and Ian Mahinmi. Who? Yeah, well you better know them now. They didn’t do much, but who expected them to do anything anyway? Any points you get from them is a bonus. Dallas got 7. The Custodian played some good D on James. All bonus. All good. I bought a pack of diapers for my baby daughter this morning and got two extra pieces for free. Not much, but I’ll take them. Cardinal and Mahinmi are those diapers. Err… yeah.

How about Tyson Chandler? He scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Yes, he should be grabbing twice more than that, but he was still big in the paint. And those 2 blocks? Nice. He missed some passes, but made up for them with solid screens and his trademark scowl. A beast.

And Jason Kidd? Wow big 3 man. Dagger. Ice in his veins. His 6 assists were good, but his 3 steals and THREE threes were better. And at 38 years old? Wow. I hope you have one more terrific performance in you J-Kidd.

JJ Barea had his best game yet in the NBA Finals
(image by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Now speaking of terrific performances, look at JJ Barea. He’s DEFINITELY NOT as tall as he’s listed, but he plays WAY BIGGER. 17 points, 5 assists and 4 triples? There’s still hope for us not-so-tall guys. But can he do it again? He’s had terrible games in Miami, so that’s a big question mark right there.

Don’t forget the Jet. Terry came up big in the clutch again. 8 points in the final period ensured Dallas would pull this one off. He spread his wings after hitting a big one late, and I hope he can continue flying high in Game 6. Gotta remain on-target Jet, gotta keep those crosshairs on the prize.

Of course we have Dirk Nowitzki, who didn’t do much except score 29 points. Yeah, he was just there, existing. He was just his usual amazing self. Did you see that rainbow three? All the way from Wurzburg, Germany.

Now it’s 3-2. Championship point Dallas. And I’m still on pins and needles.

This is like one of those movie scenes when the hero has the villain on the ropes, looking tattered and torn. Defeated. Down and out. Then the villain closes his eyes and feigns death. And just when the hero turns his back, the villain snaps up and stabs him in the back.

I hope, I PRAY, that won’t happen. So don’t turn your back Dallas. Finish off the Heat and rid the world of evil until October opens a new season (or until a lockout commences… boooo).

Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Well, Dallas, you have more than a few good men, so don’t stop now.

One more.

One.