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.

![]() | Thunder/Lakers Game 4 Preview The GameTime crew break down the game four matchup between the Thunder and the Lakers. |
![]() | Nightly Notable - Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant goes for 36 points, seven boards, six dimes and two steals in the much need win over the Thunder in game three. |
![]() | Postgame: Gasol and Bryant Pau Gasol talks about the challenge of playing Game 4 less than 24 hours after finishing Game 3, and Kobe Bryant cracks a few jokes. |
![]() | The Daily Zap Sixers tie their series with Boston at two apiece and the Lakers defeat the Thunder to grab a win in the 2-1 series. |
![]() | Postgame: Durant and Westbrook Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook talk about losing a close game and coming back better for Game 4. |