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Nowitzki's Grit Leads Mavericks to Shocking NBA Finals Win

2/28/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In the 2011 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat, with Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks playing through flu-like symptoms.
In Game 4, Nowitzki scored 21 points to tie the series at 2-2.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James of the Miami Heat mocked Nowitzki's cough, with Wade describing it as a "childish moment" aimed at minimizing excuses for their opponents.
The Mavericks won the championship and Nowitzki was named Finals MVP.

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Story summary

In the 2011 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat, with Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks playing through flu-like symptoms.
In Game 4, Nowitzki scored 21 points to tie the series at 2-2.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James of the Miami Heat mocked Nowitzki's cough, with Wade describing it as a "childish moment" aimed at minimizing excuses for their opponents.
The Mavericks won the championship and Nowitzki was named Finals MVP.