The Dallas Mavericks left home last week with two wins and a swagger. They staggered back on Monday after three losses to the Miami Heat, teetering on the brink of elimination from the NBA finals.
But a big bunch of irrepressible fans reminded the Mavs that although their backs are against the wall, that wall is deep in the heart of Dallas -- and in these finals, the homecourt advantage has been the only factor more important than Dwyane Wade.
The Mavericks' disastrous week in South Florida culminated on Sunday in the Heat's memorable 101-100 overtime win, featuring 43 points and two winning free throws from Wade. Dallas' flight home was dour and quiet -- but the cheering, flag-waving faithful awaiting their plane snapped the Mavs out of a funk, hopefully just in time for Game 6 yesterday.
"That was the first smile I had all night, all morning," said Jason Terry, who scored 35 points in Game 5. "I saw the fans out there at the airport, and I knew it was home sweet home."
Terry speaks the truth about these finals: For the first time in 30 years, the home teams are unbeaten in the first five games. If Dallas still hopes to win its first championship, the Mavs must make it the first finals with seven home-team winners since 1955 -- or they'll watch Wade and Shaquille O'Neal celebrate the Heat's first title in Dallas.
"I can taste it, smell it, see it," said Miami center Alonzo Mourning, who persevered through 13 seasons and kidney disease in search of his first NBA championship. "It's going to take everybody being an active participant to do it, but I really feel that's going to happen Tuesday."
If it doesn't, a decisive Game 7 will be played tomorrow.
In a series between first-time finalists, it isn't psychologically surprising to see both teams leaning heavily on home cooking and crowd support.
Both coaches have been dismayed by their teams' tentative play on the road, but the pressure of the finals can even send millionaire seven-footers looking for comfort.
Though Wade needed plenty of shots and nearly as many free throws, he has made his first indelible mark as a pro with 121 total points in the last three games. But he knows the Heat will need even more firepower to win in Dallas for the first time since 2002 -- and to beat an opponent that's lost just nine home games all season.
"We knew we didn't play any good games in Dallas," Wade said.
"When you go on the road and you don't play good games, then you turn the ball over, it's hard to win ... It's going to be very tough, but that's why we play this game -- for these moments," he said.
Dallas coach Avery Johnson's best adjustment for Game 6 simply might be his players' change into their home white shirts. What's more, top reserve Jerry Stackhouse will be back on the Mavericks' bench after sitting out Game 5 for his aggressive foul on O'Neal three nights earlier.
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