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With Dirk Nowitzki fighting the flu, the Miami Heat look like a nice pick at +1 odds for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. But consider the fact that Nowitzki was sick Tuesday night and Dallas still managed to win. He also managed to score 21 points.
“I think last night was one of those inspirational gut performances in Mavericks history,” Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson said of Nowitzki, who played with a high fever and drove for a key basket with 14.4 seconds left. “That was our version of Willis Reed. If he doesn’t tough it out and he doesn’t come back, there is no way. … I don’t even know how he could stand in that fourth quarter because it was a physically taxing game.”
The team did not disclose their star player’s illness heading into Tuesday night’s game. Nowitzki vowed to play in Game 5, but will he be at 100 percent after a stellar performance Tuesday? The illness is sure to have taken its toll on Nowitzki’s body along with the physical play from Game 4.
There is of course another concern. Nowitzki could pass along his germs to other teammates.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
