1 win from title, Mavs not getting excited yet

By Jaime Aron

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, June 11 2011 1:15 p.m. MDT

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Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki answers a question before a practice session for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Saturday, June 11, 2011, in Miami. The Mavericks lead the basketball series 3-2.

Mark Humphrey, Associated Press

Summary

Here's where all their age and experience, heartbreak and disappointment actually benefit Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.

MIAMI — Here's where all their age and experience, heartbreak and disappointment actually benefit Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.

They've had two days to get ready for Game 6 of the NBA finals, knowing they are one victory from the first championship for each of them and the first for their franchise.

Yet their steely resolve remains.

They refuse to allow themselves to envision taking the Larry O'Brien Trophy from commissioner David Stern.

Skeptics might say they're spewing "one game a time" cliches, but they've acted this way all postseason, especially Nowitzki.

He and Jason Terry are still scarred by Dallas' collapse in the 2006 finals against the Heat, the same team they'll try knocking out Sunday night.

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