2011 NBA Finals

The 2011 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2010–11 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. A rematch of the 2006 Finals, the series was contested between the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat. It was held from May 31 to June 12, 2011. Entering the series as favorites due to their newly formed "superteam" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Miami Heat won the opening game and eventually led the series 2–1 before the Dallas Mavericks won the next three games to achieve their first championship in franchise history. Mavericks forward and German player Dirk Nowitzki was named Finals MVP, becoming the second European to win the award after Tony Parker in 2007, and the first German player to do so. The series has been described by some sportswriters as one of the greatest finals of all time.