The Dallas Mavericks now have their collective backs forced against the wall as the Miami HEAT go into Game Four in Dallas with a commanding 2-1 NBA Finals lead. As many of our readers know, the winner of Game Three with the series is tied 1-1 since the Finals switched to the 2-3-2 format has gone on to win the championship 11 out of 11 times. 

With Game Three now in the rear-view mirror, how will this Mavericks’ team — so resilient throughout this postseason — respond to the challenge of a HEAT squad that has simply played better basketball through three games? 

On the other hand, Miami has a chance to go for the jugular in Game Four. Will they show the killer instinct they’ve displayed the majority of this postseason and crush the Mavericks’ championship hopes by taking a commanding 3-1 series lead?

Let’s take a look at how the matchups have fared through Game Three and how they may transpire in this pivotal Tuesday night contest:

Point Guard: Mike Bibby vs. Jason Kidd

In Game Three, Mike Bibby fell back down to earth. After setting a 2011 playoff-high with 14 points in Game Two, Bibby struggled as he missed four of five shot attempts and had just one assist to go with his three points. On the other hand, Jason Kidd accumulated nine points, 10 assists, and six rebounds although, over the last two games, he has given the ball away a total of nine times.

Kidd is the anchor of the Mavericks both emotionally and with his steady, well-rounded play on the court. His spurts defensively guarding against Dwyane Wade give Dallas a huge lift and he’ll continue to dominate the matchup against Bibby not only when you examine at the box score, but by doing all the little things out there that make the Mavericks a great team.

Game Four will be no different.

Advantage : Mavericks

Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade vs. DeShawn Stevenson

For the second straight contest, Wade lit up the Mavericks by not only having his way on the offensive end, but contributing in many facets of the game. Whether you consider this matchup between Wade and DeShawn Stevenson or Wade against Jason Terry; Wade dominated Game Three and will continue to dominate the series unless Dallas can find some way to slow him down.

Once again, this is a clear advantage for the HEAT and one they will continue to capitalize on in Game Four and as the series moves forward.

Advantage: HEAT

Small Forward: LeBron James vs. Shawn Marion

The most vigorously contested of these matchups, The King versus The Matrix battle has been a fun one to watch as the series has wore on. Shawn Marion took a bit of a step back in Game Three as he seemed intent on throwing wild, one-handed prayers in the general direction of the basket rather than take his game inside. The Mavericks’ swingman was one of just three Dallas’ players to reach double-digits in scoring (10 points) but it took him 12 shots to get there and bringing down just four rebounds on the night simply isn’t going to cut it.

LeBron James wasn’t much better as he scored a pedestrian 17 points on just 6-14 shooting, but James did dish out a team-high nine assists along with producing more than his share of highlight-reel thunderous throw downs. NBA fans are waiting for James to break out and produce one of those monster, series-changing games that blow everyone out of the water and propel Miami to victory.

He may not do that in Game Four, but he will continue to win the battle at the small forward position.

Advantage: HEAT

Power Forward: Chris Bosh vs. Dirk Nowitzki

In Game Three, Dirk Nowitzki did everything in his power to will his team to victory. Along with finishing with a game-high 34 points on 11-21 shooting, Nowitzki tied game-highs in both rebounds (11) and blocks (3) but the rest of his team let him down on the offensive end of the floor and that’s why the Mavericks are now down 2-1 in the NBA Finals.

{AUTHOR_BOX}In his return home to Dallas, Chris Bosh scored 18 points but needed 18 shots to do so and brought down a measly three rebounds in 37 minutes of action. However, Bosh produced what would end up being the game-winning basket as he nailed a 16-foot jumper with 39 seconds left; keying his team to victory.

Bosh came through in the clutch in Game Three, but Nowitzki will continue to dominate this matchup in Game Four and beyond because, frankly, he has to or Dallas doesn’t have a snow flake’s chance in hell of winning another game this series.

Advantage: Mavericks

Center: Joel Anthony vs. Tyson Chandler

In the battle of two of the best low post defenders in basketball, Tyson Chandler was expected to and has come out on top in this matchup through all three games this series. In Game Three, Chandler brought down 11 rebounds, his most in a game this series, while imposing his will on the defensive end of the floor by tying a game-high with three rejections.

Joel Anthony continued to impose his will on the Mavericks big men on defense and grabbed six rebounds while blocking a team-high two shots. Both players look to continue playing their role in this NBA Finals, but Chandler has been characterized at the “heart and soul” of this Mavericks’ team by head coach Rick Carlisle. 

The Mavericks center’s play has changed the way Dallas is viewed as a defensive team and he will continue to be a difference-maker in Game Four.

Advantage: Mavericks

Bench: Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, James Jones, and Mario Chalmers vs. Jason Terry, J.J. Barea, Peja Stojakovic and Brendan Haywood

Just as it was over the first two games of the NBA Finals, bench play was critical in Game Three. Despite outscoring the HEAT bench 25 to 19, Dallas did not win the battle of the benches in Game Three. Miami was much more efficient, knocking down 7 of 16 shots compared to the brick-fest that saw the Mavericks’ reserves make just 8 of 24 shot attempts.

That wasn’t all as Udonis Haslem’s excellent defense in the closing seconds on Dirk Nowitzki’s final shot was just a microcosm of how the HEAT bench did all the little things to help the team take Game Three.

While Miami has taken this matchup two out of three games so far this series, the Mavericks have too much talent riding the pine to lose the bench battle again. Dallas hopes to have back-up center and defensive stalwart Brendan Haywood back for Game Four, and that would be a huge boost as bench play has been crucial all series long.

Advantage: Mavericks

Game Four is now do-or-die for the Mavericks. Both teams know this, so expect to see the most emotionally charged and heated game of the series. Both defenses have been excellent up to this point and Game Four will be no different. Another low-scoring affair is in order and this one should go down to the wire yet again with the team that finishes best leaving with the W.

Game Four is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas ,Texas and can be seen nationally on ABC.