Luckily for Miami Heat fans, not only did Dwyane Wade show that he can do it again in Game Four, and by that I mean score a ton of points against some tough defenders, the old Shaquille O’Neal showed up.  The Diesel looked more in attack-mode and was able to throw down a few hammers against the Dallas Mavericks.  I guess O’Neal read my Game Four preview when I said he looked tentative.  Attack, big fella, that’s all you have to do.  Use the Shaq-Fu.

An important factor in the Heat dominating the contest in Game Four is that the Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki had an absolutely horrible game, shooting 2-for-14 from the field and finishing with 16 points.  If Nowitzki hit more shots, would it have made a difference considering the final score of 98-74?  I think so.  Nowitzki has the ability to stop a team’s momentum with timely shots and/or a scoring explosion where he strings together a few baskets.  But, it didn’t happen for him or the Mavs this time. 

However, something else that will affect the Mavs did.

Jerry Stackhouse is suspended for tonight’s Game Five after a flagrant foul on O’Neal.  It happened on a fast break with Jason Williams running the middle of the floor along with O’Neal and Wade.  Williams drops off the pass for Shaq at the top of the box and Stackhouse flies across and basically throws himself into O’Neal to try to stop him from converting the basket.  Stackhouse was called for the flagrant foul and upon further review by the league, the foul was worthy of a one-game suspension, which Stack will serve tonight.

Stackhouse will sorely be missed because he provided a big offensive spark off the bench and because of his experience and desire to win a championship, Stackhouse played well and hungry every time he was on the floor.  He has the potential to go off for 20 points every game and is an important piece of the offense.  The Mavs have to hope that Marquis Daniels and Adrian Griffin can pick up the slack.  Their plan of attack tonight will probably be to get Nowitzki going early to establish a rhythm and to make sure Jason Terry and Josh Howard get their points because of the missing Stackhouse.  On defense, they just have to collapse on Shaq quicker and force the perimeter shooters to make their shots. 

The Heat must continue to feed O’Neal down low, especially if he establishes position down deep.  Udonis Haslem, Antoine Walker, and/or James Posey have to deny Nowitzki the ball and hope he continues his shooting funk if he does get to shoot the rock.  Wade needs to stay healthy and continue to dribble penetrate through the Dallas D like a blazing butterknife through butter.  However, the most critical of all things for the Heat is that guys like Walker, Williams, and Haslem step up their games and play solid for an entire game.  If they hit the outside jumpers when the defense doubles down, it will open things up for Shaq as he’ll have more room to operate.  If that happens, look out!

Tonight’s game takes place in Miami yet again and tips off at 9pm EST.