Posted Jun 13 2011 6:25AM
MIAMI (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki has been named MVP of the NBA finals for his huge role in leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first championship.
Although Nowitzki struggled in the Game 6 clincher, he certainly put them in position to win it all, overcoming injury and illness to power fourth-quarter comebacks from deficits of 12, nine and four points in Dallas' previous wins.
The 2007 league MVP won Game 2 with a left-handed layup despite having torn a tendon in the tip of his left middle finger in Game 1.
He scored 10 of his 21 points in the final period of Game 4 despite playing with a 101-degree fever because of a sinus infection.
In Game 5, his driving dunk in the final minutes put Dallas ahead for good.
 | James and Wade Connection LeBron James fires a beautiful pass to Dwyane Wade as he cuts to the basket for the two-handed dunk. |
 | Heat vs. Pacers: First half Danny Granger has 10 points as the Pacers take a 54-46 lead into the locker room in Game 4. |
 | Hustling Heat Udonis Haslem follows the missed jumper with a slam and Dwyane Wade assists LeBron James with a sweet behind-the-back pass for the layup. |
 | Anthony Stops Barbosa Leandro Barbosa makes a strong drive to the basket but gets block by Joel Anthony for a defensive stop. |
 | Block and Dunk Joel Anthony blocks Paul George on defense and LeBron James slams home the powerful dunk on offense. |
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