2011 Finals Game 5 Hand Injury Return

Lore & Background

After pre-game walkthroughs, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade mocked Dirk Nowitzki with fake coughs, as they felt he was 'faking' his reported flu. Game 5 saw the first time either team broke 100 points in the series. Dallas connected 13 of 19 three-pointers. Late in the first quarter, Dwyane Wade ran into Brian Cardinal and went to the locker room with a hip injury but returned.

With Miami leading 100-97, Jason Terry passed to Nowitzki, who drew a double team and kicked it back to Terry for a game-tying three. Nowitzki then drove baseline on Chris Bosh for a two-handed dunk (assisted by Terry) with 2:44 left to give the Mavs a 102-100 lead they would not relinquish. After LeBron James was called for an offensive foul (Tyson Chandler drew the charge), Terry found Jason Kidd for another wide-open three that gave the Mavs a 105-100 lead with 1:26 left.

After Chandler blocked Wade, Bosh made 1 of 2 free throws to cut the lead. The Mavericks won Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead.

Reader's Guide

The Mavericks' victory gave them a 3-2 lead, but a Game 7 was still possible if Miami won Game 6.

Did You Know?

• Dirk Nowitzki played through a torn tendon in his finger, wearing a splint, during the series.
• Jason Terry had tattooed the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on his right biceps before the season.
• This was the first NBA Finals game held in May since 1986.