NBC Sports: Tim Reynolds: “Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson is directing some sharp words toward Miami’s LeBron James on the eve of Game 5 in the NBA finals. Stevenson says the Heat forward “checked out” in the final minutes of Game 4 on Tuesday night, when James was held to eight points – the lowest he managed in 90 career playoff games. Stevenson isn’t worried about the perception of his comments, either.”
Sporting News: David Whitley: “We’re arriving at the big moment, where the mystery guest must reveal himself. All we’re missing is Johnny Olson saying, ‘Will the real LeBron James please stand up?’ After seven years, we still don’t know who he is. He came to Miami with the LeChicken label. He turned into LeClutch with his bravura playoff performances against Chicago and Boston. Now he’s back to LeChoker. Game 4 was so embarrassing that Anthony Weiner probably felt sorry for James. LeBron took 11 shots, making just three. He didn’t score in the fourth quarter, but Jason Terry certainly scored on him.”
Sporting News: Sean Deveney: “Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who played through Dallas’ win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 the NBA Finals with flu-like symptoms and a temperature of about 101 degrees, was able to go through practice with the Mavericks on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.”
Pro Basketball Talk: Kurt Helin: “Terry finished with 17 points, 8 of those coming in the fourth quarter. He attacked the rim off the pick-and-roll. He drained both key late free throws. He wasn’t terribly efficient (6-of-15 shooting, 1-of-4 from three) but in a game where nobody could seem to put the ball in the basket he didn’t need to be.”
ESPN.com NBA: “And now the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat are starting over in the NBA finals, this best-of-seven series reduced to a best-of-three. Nowitzki fought through a sinus infection and everything else that ailed him and his team to power a 21-9 run over the final 10:12, lifting the Mavericks to a memorable 86-83 victory Tuesday night.”
