Carlo Pamintuan, Columnist, Journeyman Journals and Underdog Boxing

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

The key for Miami is to let Dirk be Dirk and limit everyone else. The big German has played the best basketball in these playoffs and he will get his licks throughout the game. Miami can’t do anything about that. What the Heat need to do is to device a way to stop the other four guys from scoring. They need to confuse Dirk with different looks on defense and they need to make him play defense by going to Bosh a lot when he is matched up with Dirk. For Dallas, it’s basically picking your poison. If they check two of those Big Three (preferable Wade and James), they will be in good shape. Dallas needs Tyson Chandler to stay out of foul trouble and be a defensive force inside.

In the end, I think the Mavericks will realize that this is their last shot at a championship with this core. If they don’t get it this year, they probably never will. I am confident that the Dallas Mavericks will win this series specially because Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports picked Miami to win.

Dallas in 6.

______________________________________________________

Martin David, Business Development Manager, NBA Premium TV

Prediction: Miami Heat

Miami's been through A LOT this season. Miami's had a lot to deal with both on and off the court, with all the fanfare and hoopla their new players brought in with them. They've been practically living under a microscope, with the public waiting for them to make a wrong move.

Although they've been tagged as the villain of the league, you can't hate on the hard work and athleticism this team brings to the table. Not to mention how the reserves have stepped up during the Postseason. It's not just about LeBron, DWade, and Bosh anymore. Haslem, Anthony, Mike Miller, Chalmers, and the rest have shone their worth round after round. You actually have a team that's putting in the work to get that trophy. It'll be tough to contend with a team that can beat you on both ends of the floor. With all that this team has gone through this past season, the Heatles will pull through and win it all in June.

______________________________________________________

Iñigo de Paula, New Media Manager, Solar Sports Networks

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

I gazed into a crystal ball (which happened to be LeBron James’ rapidly balding head) and saw: Dallas Mavericks take the title in five games. Believe it folks, this band of veteran gunslingers still have enough fire in their bellies for one more showdown. 

Most eyes will be on Dirk Nowitzki and his one-legged hustle, but the other Mavs are just as note-worthy. At 38, Jason Kidd will be the oldest guard to start in an NBA final. But age hasn’t stopped Kidd from shutting-down Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. It sure as hell won’t stop him from stuffing LeBron James’ offense. 

You just can’t discount the sense of urgency of these old Dallas boys.  

The sun is gonna go down on Miami.   

______________________________________________________

Paolo Diaz,  Marketing Manager, Solar Sports

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

Everybody loves the underdog!

Their keys to victory:

Jump the heat from the tip off every game “SHOCK and AWE!”- don’t let the Heat recover, don’t let Wade take over

Allow 1 of the 3 to score but  guard the other 2 like there is no tomorrow.

Get Peja, Terry and especially Dirk the ball early in the game, no one will be able to guard him, joel anthony? nope, let Miami adjust, if they put bosh on Dirk, Chandler can be the workhorse underneath to score.

If the Heat are to stand a chance, they need to:

Keep the game slow, use the firepower available from all sides.

Give wade the ball at the end game.

Get the Mavs in foul trouble early.

______________________________________________________

Anthony Ty, Columnist, Order in the Court

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

D-Wade and James are going to get their stats in this series, no way to prevent them from racking up those gaudy looking box scores unless Rick Carlisle starts issuing brass knuckles and have Stevenson and Haywood introduce the dynamic duo to the high tech medical facilities in Dallas. On the bright side for Dallas, they did pull of a magnificent job in containing Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook in the Western Finals. It makes good practice for playing against D-Wade and James in the only play-off series that actually matters – the NBA Finals

While Dirk Nowitzski seems to have grown a pair in this season’s play-offs, the Dallas players that will have the most influence in the outcome of this series are Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler. If James wants to cap his first season in Miami with a Championship Ring, his buddy Chris Bosh better feels manly enough to tussle inside the paint or else Dirk and Chandler are going to run roughshod over him on the way to Dallas’ first NBA Championship.

Look to Dallas to claw through a hard fought 6 game series. I can’t wait to see the look on David Stern’s face as he hands the Championship trophy to Mark Cuban. 

______________________________________________________

Miguel Hidalgo, Business Development Officer, NBA Premium TV

Prediction: Miami Heat

These 2 teams are playing at a level above all the other teams in this year’s playoffs. Miami’s defense has been impressive and Dallas’ offense has been the most impressive I’ve seen all season long. 

Dallas can break down Miami’s defense with Nowitzki’s high-post and kick out to knock-down shooters, and their defense is nothing to joke about anymore, with the additions of Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, and Tyson Chandler. Miami, on the other hand, will keep Dallas away from the paint and has the ability to take smart gambles in the passing lane when Dallas moves the ball. Erik Spoelstra’s players have developed quite well, with Wade and James learning how to play off the ball.

It’s a tough call, but it’s going to come down to their best players – their leaders. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Dirk Nowitzki, these 3 will lead their teams to victory or ruin, but Miami has 2 of these 3 playing for them. Ultimately, it’s that simple. This series is going down in 6 games. Miami will defend the first 2 at home, the Mavericks will get 2 of 3 in Dallas, and the Heat will get game 6 in Miami. I’m not saying Dallas can’t win in Miami, but they won’t. Not unless Wade and James allow it.