Posted Jun 13 2011 6:25AM
MIAMI (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki has been named MVP of the NBA finals for his huge role in leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first championship.
Although Nowitzki struggled in the Game 6 clincher, he certainly put them in position to win it all, overcoming injury and illness to power fourth-quarter comebacks from deficits of 12, nine and four points in Dallas' previous wins.
The 2007 league MVP won Game 2 with a left-handed layup despite having torn a tendon in the tip of his left middle finger in Game 1.
He scored 10 of his 21 points in the final period of Game 4 despite playing with a 101-degree fever because of a sinus infection.
In Game 5, his driving dunk in the final minutes put Dallas ahead for good.
 | Steal of the Night Dwyane Wade steals the inbounds pass, dishes to LeBron James, who finishes with a tough layup. |
 | Spurs vs. Clippers Game 4 Tim Duncan scores 21 points and grabs nine rebounds as the Spurs knock off the Clippers 102-99 in Los Angeles. |
 | Assist of the Night Lebron James throws a wonderful pass to Dwyane Wade, who finishes with an easy slam. |
 | Dunk of the Night Blake Griffin takes the pass and finishes with a big-time slam. |
 | Griffin's Big-Time Slam Blake Griffin takes the pass and finishes with a big-time slam. |
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