2006 NBA Finals Game 3 Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat, June 13, 2006, Wade Sparks Series Turnaround

DAL 96, MIA 98 - The Miami Heat edged out the Dallas Mavericks 98-96 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, with Dallas still leading the series 2-1.

Miami held a nine-point lead at halftime, but Dallas surged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring the Heat 34-16. The Mavericks extended their lead to 89-76 with 6:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Dwyane Wade led a fierce comeback, fueling a 17-5 run to bring Miami back into contention. With 9.3 seconds left, Gary Payton hit the game-winning shot for the Heat. Dirk Nowitzki had an opportunity to tie the game for Dallas at the free-throw line but missed, sealing Miami's victory.

The 2006 season marked a pivotal turning point in the storied history of the Miami Heat. Following their disappointing 2005 postseason, where they fell short in the Eastern Conference finals despite Shaquille O'Neal's presence, the team faced uncertain times with O'Neal's declining performance. With a title still eluding them, hope flickered anew as Dwyane Wade emerged as one of the NBA's top players. Wade, a 13-time All-Star, even placed sixth in MVP voting that season. He single-handedly carried Miami to the 2006 NBA Finals, where they initially trailed 0-2 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Player of the game:
Dwayne Wade: 42 PTS, 14-26 FGM, 54 FG%, 1-2 3PM, 13-18 FTM, 13 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL

Notable performance:
Dirk Nowitzki: 30 PTS, 9-20 FGM, 45 FG%, 2-7 3PM, 10-12 FTM, 7 REB, 1 AST

However, Game 3 became legendary as Wade scored 42 points, leading a dramatic comeback from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter at AmericanAirlines Arena. This victory shifted the series momentum entirely in Miami's favor. They proceeded to win Games 4 and 5 at home and clinched the championship with a Game 6 triumph in Dallas. What seemed like a near 3-0 deficit turned into the Heat's first NBA title, anchored by Wade's unforgettable performance in Game 3 — a defining moment in his Hall of Fame career.