Shawn Marion Crucial To Mavs Game 2 Victory

Prior to the NBA Finals, the most talked-about players on the Mavericks side of the ball were (obviously) Dirk Nowitzki, (and slightly less obviously) Jason Terry and Jason Kidd.

But another veteran has emerged through the first two games of the series, deserving of just as much attention as your Nowitzkis and Terrys in Shawn Marion. Marion has been much of the reason Dallas has stayed within striking distance of the Heat through Games 1 and 2, a span in which he’s averaged 18 PPG on 57 percent shooting.

"I'm just being aggressive on both ends of the floor," Marion said after the Mavericks 105-103 Game 2 win, per ESPN Dallas. "I think I'm seeing some things I can take advantage of and I'm doing it. My teammates are finding me, the balls are finding me in ways to create opportunities for myself and my teammates. I'm taking advantage of it."

In Game 2, Marion posted 20 points on 9-of-14 from the field, while playing a tenacious brand of defense that seemed to belie his age. That the Mavericks out-rebounded the Heat by 11 (they were -10 in that category in Game 1) certainly didn’t hurt, as Marion was able to pick up several feeds from Jason Kidd in transition and drive to the basket.

"Just being aggressive and taking the ball to the rack," Marion said. "Also, I was able to handle some pick-and-rolls. I like that. I was able to come off and be aggressive and attack more. I was able to find my teammates or attack the basket."