The Dallas Mavericks are the 2011 NBA champions, beating the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, 4-2. Posted by Ben Golliver.

Against the odds, the Dallas Mavericks are your 2011 NBA champions. The Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, closing out the series, 4-2, by winning at American Airlines Arena. The final score: Dallas 105, Miami 95.

Shawn Marion dribbled the ball out and then handed it Jason Kidd as the buzzer sounded. Not wasting any time, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki ran directly off the court while Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle hugged each other on the court.

It is the first title in franchise history and the first ring for Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion and guard Jason Terry. Many will celebrate the fact that it came against arguably the Heat, the NBA's most hated team after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to team up last summer.

James is now 0-for-2 in his Finals career and he walked off the court alone.

Here's video of time expiring on Dallas' first title.

Ian Mahinmi of the Dallas Mavericks hits a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the third quarter of the 2011 NBA Finals. Posted by Ben Golliver.

Dallas Mavericks reserve big man dropped in a huge buzzer-beating 3-pointer to close the third quarter of the 2011 NBA Finals. Mahinmi was near the free throw line when Jason Terry found him with a pass and the clock running down. Mahinmi caught, turned and fired, sinking the basket as time expired.

The Mavericks bench predictably exploded as the bucket pushed Dallas to a 81-72 lead after three quarters.

Mahinmi is the unlikeliest of heroes as he is only playing because the usual second-string center, Brendan Haywood, has been limited by a hip flexor injury suffered in Game 2. Haywood played briefly in game 4 but sat out Game 3 and Game 5. He has not appeared in Game 6.

After the basket, the Mavericks were just 12 minutes from their first title in franchise history. They entered Sunday night leading the Finals series, 3-2.

Posted by Matt Moore

The Heat have finally gotten to the line in Game 6, but it doesn't matter if they can't knock them down.

The Heat had missed 13 free throws with 7:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, and were facing a nine-point deficit.

Even hitting half their free throws would put them in range as the Mavericks seemingly can't miss. The Heat needed to get to the line. They have. But they're missing. The biggest culprit?

You guessed it. LeBron James, who was 1 of 4 from the line. 

As the clock winds down on the Heat season, the realization the Mavs are simply better becomes cleared, but the Heat will still blame themselves for not converting their chances.  

Posted by Royce Young

MIAMI -- Not exactly the way everyone pictured Dirk Nowitzki's Game 6 going. The player that's been almost perfect this postseason missed 17 of the first 21 shots he attempted.

But he came up with 10 fourth-quarter points to put the Mavericks over the top.

Despite his horrid start, the Mavs remained in total control of the game until Nowitzki warmed up in the fourth quarter.

Remarkable, really. Just imagine how far ahead Dallas would have been had three or four of those shots that rattled in and out on Dirk would've dropped.  

Video of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade finishing over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals. Posted by Ben Golliver.

During the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals, Miami Heat guard rose up as he has often in this series, finishing a two-hand basket near the rim over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.

Wade cut back door from the right corner, collecting a pass from Heat guard Mario Chalmers. Wade collected and rose without hestitation, as Nowitzki came from the weakside to contest a dunk attempt. The two collided but Wade was able to finish the play without dunking, laying the ball up and in with both hands.

Nowitzki was called for a foul on the play but Wade missed his free throw. Wade's basket cut Dallas' lead to 81-76 with 11:15 remaining in the game. The Mavericks are one quarter away from winning their first franchise title, leading the series 3-2.

Here's video of Wade finishing over Nowitzki.


 

Video of a fight between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter of Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals.

The Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks got a bit feisty during Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals.

Following a three-pointer by Heat guard Eddie House, a skirmish broke out between the two benches as the game cut to a timeout. 

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers and Dallas Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson were all whistled for technical fouls in the skirmish, which began when Stevenson pushed Haslem.

Haslem took exception to the push and Chalmers came charging in late. Stevenson pushed back at Chalmers and both benches emptied in defense of their teammates. Mavericks center Tyson Chandler was also involved, but escaped penalty.

The exchange could potentially lead to suspensions if there is a Game 7, however given that it was a timeout situation the players were allowed to come off the bench, so that part would be a non-issue.

Here's video of the skirmish between the Heat and the Mavericks.

 

The Miami Heat have inserted point guard Mario Chalmers into their starting lineup for Game 6 instead of Mike Bibby. Posted by Ben Golliver.

In our NBA Finals Game 6 preview, we wondered whether Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra would make any adjustments with the desperation factor ratcheted up in an elimination game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Spoelstra has indeed made a change: The Heat will start point guard Mario Chalmers instead of the usual starter, Mike Bibby, in Game 6 on Sunday night.

Chalmers has played well for the Heat throughout the Finals, averaging 10/6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game. He's also shooting 42.9 percent from deep. He has emerged as a steady presence for Miami, spacing the floor well, making good decisions and doing his best to stay with Dallas' guards. 

Bibby, meanwhile, has struggled. He's a defensively liability because of his age and is shooting just 29.4 percent from deep, averaging 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.2 minutes per game against the Mavericks.

The move comes shortly after Spoelstra told reporters in his pre-game media availibility that he did not want to over-react by changing his starting lineup. A little bit of gamesmanship.

This is Chalmers' first start since March 19. He started 28 games during the regular season. 

Posted by Royce Young

UPDATE: Haywood is officially active for tonight's game.

MIAMI -- The clock is ticking down to tip-off in Game 6 and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said during his pregame press address that center Brendan Haywood is still a gametime decision.

Haywood injured his hip in Game 2. He sat Game 3, played in Game 4 and then sat Game 5. Ian Mahinmi will play in place of Haywood if he's unable to go.