Finally! After 18 seasons of existence for the Miami Heat and 26 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks, both teams have made it to the NBA finals. Following their respective conference wins, Miami and Dallas will face off for the NBA championship in what will be one of the most exciting finals in modern NBA. Though their regular season match-ups obviously favor Dallas, in which Dallas won both games with a margin of 24.5 points, the teams are completely different playoff teams. Both Dallas and Miami have fought their way into the NBA finals and earned the right to be in contention for the Larry O'Brian trophy.

Miami had an extremely difficult playoff run, beginning with the Chicago Bulls. After taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, Miami lost two straight and almost their confidence with it. But with Shaq's leadership, the Heat stormed back to win both games five and six. In the conference semifinals, the Heat had to face off against the talented New Jersey Nets. This series was predicted to go to six or seven games, but Miami's superior play finished the Nets off in five games. Anxiously waiting to see who they would play in the conference finals, Miami had to watch a long and tiring series between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Finally the Pistons won in game seven, determining that Miami would have to beat the reigning Eastern Conference champs without home court advantage in order to stay alive. Without any doubts, the Heat took the floor and played their hardest, surprising the fans in Auburn Hills with a game one victory. There were not any more surprises in this series until game six. Miami was up 3-2 and if they won this game they would clinch. Everyone thought this would be a tough battle as it was win or go home for the Pistons, but it was nothing of the sort. Miami ran off with a 95-78 victory and a trip the finals.

Not only is the franchise new to the finals, but so are several players on the Heat's roster. Among these new players are Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey, and All-Star Dwyane Wade. But no worries folks, because Miami has both Shaquille O'Neal and Coach Pat Riley who are no strangers to the NBA finals. Shaq has appeared in five finals series, winning three titles and three MVP awards. Pat Riley has coached in eight finals series, winning four championships. Riley also played in three finals series, winning one title. Gary Payton has also appeared in two finals series, but is yet to win a title. With these veteran players and coach, the Heat's newcomers are sure to be lead into a strong match-up for the Mavericks.

Dallas has had arguably one of the most difficult playoff runs. In the first round, the Mavericks had to face off against All-Star Paul Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies. Dallas showed that they were a force to be reckoned with as they ran away with a 4-0 sweep. It is in the conference semis where their true competition began. After fighting the entire season with the San Antonio Spurs for the Southwest Division title and the number one seed in the playoffs, this was the series to watch. It turned out to be the strong series all the way to the seventh game where Dallas slipped by with a 199-111 overtime victory. With the defending NBA champs out of the way the Mavs had to pass one more team to make it into the finals, the Phoenix Suns. Though counted out by many, Phoenix wanted to prove that they were a team with heart, playing through possible season ending injuries all the way to the Western Conference championship. And they did prove that they weren't the easy pass as they forced the series to six games; but in the end they were no match for Dallas, losing in game six at home.

Not only is Dallas' franchise new to the finals, but so are most of its members. Only two players on the roster, Keith Van Horn and Darrell Armstrong, have made finals appearances at only one a piece. Coach Avery Johnson will be making his first coaching appearance in the finals; this is also his first full season as a head coach. He did, however, make one finals appearance as a player with the '98-'99 Spurs championship team. Devin Harris, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Terry, Erick Dampier, DeSagana Diop, Marquis Daniels, Adrian Griffin, and yes, even Dirk Nowitzki, are all rookies in the finals.

Though both Dallas and Miami are new to the finals, Miami does have the veteran leadership needed; but not even the veterans will lead the Heat past the Mavs in this finals series match-up. Though this will most likely be a six or even seven game series, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks will bring home their first NBA championship leaving the Heat's flame still burning for a finals win.