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.
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 | James Returns the Favor to Wade LeBron James returns the favor to Dwyane Wade and sends an amazing pass to the All-Star guard for the layup. |
 | Wade Finds James LeBron James flushes in the tomahawk jam from Dwyane Wade?s beautiful assist. |
 | Wade Challenges Hibbert Dwyane Wade challenges Roy Hibbert at the rim and avoids his outstretch arms for the layup. |
 | Barbosa Beats the Buzzer Leandro Barbosa sinks the floater to send the Pacers to the locker room with an eight- point lead. |
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