 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2022) |
 | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Dates | May 31 – June 12 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVP | Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)[1][2] | |||||||||
| Hall of Famers | Mavericks: Jason Kidd (2018) Dirk Nowitzki (2023) Heat: Chris Bosh (2021) Dwyane Wade (2023) | |||||||||
| Eastern finals | Heat defeated Bulls, 4–1 | |||||||||
| Western finals | Mavericks defeated Thunder, 4–1 | |||||||||
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 heavy favorites,[3][4] the Miami Heat won the opening game and eventually led the series 2–1 before the underdog 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 (2007) and the first German player to do so.[5] Due in part to Nowitzki's turbulent playoff runs previously, the series has been acclaimed as one of the greatest finals of all time.[6][7][8]
- ^ "Gutty performance earns Nowitzki Finals MVP honors". NBA.com. June 12, 2011. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ "NBA Finals MVP Award Winners". NBA.com. June 14, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ Tom Ziller (May 31, 2011). "NBA Finals 2011 Odds: Heat Heavy Favorites Over Mavericks". SB Nation. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Sharper, Drew (May 27, 2011). "2011 NBA Finals Odds To Win: Heat Favored Over Mavericks". TheSpread.com. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Lee, Michael (June 12, 2011). "NBA Finals: Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks complete stunning run to the championship". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Hughes, Grant. "Ranking the 15 Greatest Series in NBA Finals History". BleacherReport. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Shapiro, Michael. "Ranking the Best NBA Finals of the Past Decade". SportsIllustrated. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Benjamin, Mike. "Ranking the Top 10 Best NBA Finals Games Since 2000". BleacherReport. Retrieved April 16, 2023.