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08:06 AM ET 05.31 | Most believe LeBron James will draw the assignment of covering Dirk Nowitzki in crunch time. That means if LeBron has to defend Dirk, Udonis Haslem is responsible for Shawn Marion. Now, Haslem has guarded a handful of small forwards in the past. And his lateral quickness isn't bad. And it's unlikely the Mavericks run anything for Marion anyway, because they only seem to do that when he has a smaller player on his back that he can back down and shoot over. But it's still a potentially problematic matchup when you consider that Udonis is used to dealing with bigs, and boxing out bigs, and staying in the paint with bigs. Marion could create issues with his athleticism and quickness if matched up with Udonis.

Udonis Haslem, Getty Images

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May 31, 2011 08:13 AM ET

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Well it all starts tonight....I am eager though to see what LBJ can do against a 7 foot Dirk....That should be an entertaining matchup...

K.I.G.

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May 31, 2011 08:18 AM ET

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I'm still wondering how LBJ is gonna guard him when much taller players can't do it.

Chitown's Finest!

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May 31, 2011 08:21 AM ET

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i just hope that the zone D would hold.

dr_kornholio

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May 31, 2011 08:23 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:18 AM ET 05.31 by Chitown's Finest!

I'm still wondering how LBJ is gonna guard him when much taller players can't do it.

They would probably be better off leaving Haslem on him and doubling with LBJ occasionally.

Otis B. Driftwood

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May 31, 2011 08:25 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET 05.31 by Otis B. Driftwood

They would probably be better off leaving Haslem on him and doubling with LBJ occasionally.

can they leave Terry or Peja open if they do that? That would be a nice little treat....lol

K.I.G.

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May 31, 2011 08:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 05.31 by K.I.G.

can they leave Terry or Peja open if they do that? That would be a nice little treat....lol

The thought did cross my mind...

My sincere hope is that Jet shows up for this series. He has to have a positive impact this time around.

Otis B. Driftwood

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May 31, 2011 08:29 AM ET

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The Heat have bigger problems like JJ Barea:Who's going to guard the Puerto Rican Allan Iverson?I don't think LeBron can guard Dirk:The Mavs also have some match up problems, Haslem:Who's going to guard him?Tyson will be on Bosh, Dirk on Haslem is a mis-match to me but Haslem can't hurt you the way Dirk can:Meaning the Mavs mis-matches are bigger problems for Miami than Miami's mis-matches are for Dallas:

PRINCEJIMMY11

Brooklyn , NY

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May 31, 2011 08:29 AM ET

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The Heat have a very good chance.

mdelaneyd45

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May 31, 2011 08:32 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:29 AM ET 05.31 by PRINCEJIMMY11

The Heat have bigger problems like JJ Barea:Who's going to guard the Puerto Rican Allan Iverson?I don't think LeBron can guard Dirk:The Mavs also have some match up problems, Haslem:Who's going to guard him?Tyson will be on Bosh, Dirk on Haslem is a mis-match to me but Haslem can't hurt you the way Dirk can:Meaning the Mavs mis-matches are bigger problems for Miami than Miami's mis-matches are for Dallas:

Wade - Stevenson?, Lebron - Marion? those are mismatches

rebound321

Reykjavik, IC

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May 31, 2011 08:37 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 05.31 by K.I.G.

can they leave Terry or Peja open if they do that? That would be a nice little treat....lol

heat might try letting dirk score 60 and leave the other mavs scoreless. no point in stopping the unstoppable. If terry and peja don't do their job on the offense, the mavs would suffer since both guys have little to offer on the D.

dr_kornholio

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May 31, 2011 08:39 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:18 AM ET 05.31 by Chitown's Finest!

I'm still wondering how LBJ is gonna guard him when much taller players can't do it.

Maybe the Heat feel like LeBron can give him some problems before he puts his shot up. Maybe play him tough, get him off of his spot, bang him up a little, disrupt his dribble, those are the only things i can think of. Maybe it will work but i doubt it.

Jay/Punk

Cleveland , OH

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May 31, 2011 08:40 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:32 AM ET 05.31 by rebound321

Wade - Stevenson?, Lebron - Marion? those are mismatches

Stevenson on Wade is a joke.

Jay/Punk

Cleveland , OH

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May 31, 2011 08:42 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 08:39 AM ET 05.31 by Jay/Punk

Maybe the Heat feel like LeBron can give him some problems before he puts his shot up. Maybe play him tough, get him off of his spot, bang him up a little, disrupt his dribble, those are the only things i can think of. Maybe it will work but i doubt it.

I mean i get that, but he is still a seven footer who shoots over his head fading away, LBJ still will not change that.

Chitown's Finest!

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May 31, 2011 08:43 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 08:39 AM ET 05.31 by Jay/Punk

Maybe the Heat feel like LeBron can give him some problems before he puts his shot up. Maybe play him tough, get him off of his spot, bang him up a little, disrupt his dribble, those are the only things i can think of. Maybe it will work but i doubt it.

I just don't get how he stops him once he pulls up for a shot.