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Question of the Day: Now that the series is tied at 2-2, who will win the NBA Finals?

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Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the NBA Finals. Check back throughout the day for more responses and weigh in by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Steve Svekis, South Florida Sun Sentinel

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It’s a best-of-three series now, and the Miami Heat own home-court advantage. With that being the case, Dwyane Wade will take home his second championship and NBA Finals MVP trophies.

Despite LeBron James’ putrid offensive production down the stretch during this series (2.3 points per fourth quarter), the Heat has still been in position to win each game. If James remains in hibernation, then there is a chance the Heat could drop another game at home, and Dirk Nowitzki could get revenge for his 2006 failings against the Heat.

Still, that scenario is highly improbable. It took the miracle of all NBA Finals miracles for the Mavericks to take Game 2 in Miami. It’s hard to imagine them winning again in South Florida.

[Updated at 11:21 a.m.: Baxter Holmes, Los Angeles Times

This series -– and what a series it has been -– could’ve been over Tuesday.

But no, Miami has twice (!) blown sizable fourth-quarter leads -– home and away, proving that even though the Heat has home court for two of the last three, that matters little.

Dallas knows if it’s down, it’s not out; Miami knows that too. Dirk knows he can close, with 44 fourth-quarter points; LeBron, who has just nine (!), knows he can’t.

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Dallas is a ripe squad; Miami isn’t. The Mavericks’ defense is good and getting better; the Heat lack an answer or any fight -– or even a decent coaching counter-move.

Dallas wins in seven.]

[Updated at 1:42 p.m.:

Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune

The Drama Kings (a.k.a. the Miami Heat) would not script this NBA Finals any other way. With the series tied 2-2, LeBron James’ superstar rating as a fourth-quarter closer is under review. Under-appreciated Chris Bosh also seeks his first championship coronation and Dwyane Wade craves validation for orchestrating last summer’s monumental free-agent coup.

The Mavericks are gaining momentum from Dirk Nowitzki as a potential Finals MVP. But we all know from the regular-season experience that if Miami doesn’t win this time it will be a crying shame.]

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