NBA Finals begin tonight with Mavs taking their talents to South Beach

Just about two hours remain until the Dallas Mavericks travel to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

At the beginning of the season — heck, even at the beginning of the playoffs — it would have been bold to suggest the Mavs would make it all the way to the Finals. In the Western Conference, there were the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The San Antonio Spurs and their 61-21 record. The up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder with 22-year-old studs Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Dallas proved that there's something to be said for valuable playing experience. The Mavs steamrolled their way to the finals, ousting Portland in six games, Los Angeles in a four-game sweep (which had to be the most memorable playoff series in Mavs history) and Oklahoma City in five games to reach the finals.

Now, all that awaits is the villainous Miami Heat. The same team that lured LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the offseason to join Dwyane Wade in the most notable offseason haul in NBA history.

I think it's fair to say every NBA fan not associated with the Heat will be rooting for the Mavs in this series.

This Mavs team is different than the team that lost to the Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals, and it's a better team. Dirk Nowitzki is playing his best basketball, the bench is considerably deeper this year and the defensive mentality of the 2011 edition is much better.

The window on this team is closing with each passing day, though. Seizing each opportunity the Heat provide in this series will be essential. A quick look at the ages of the Mavs' top players.

Starters:
Jason Kidd: 38
DeShawn Stevenson: 30
Shawn Marion: 33
Dirk Nowitzki: 32
Tyson Chandler: 28

Bench:
Jason Terry: 33
J.J. Barea: 26
Peja Stojakovic: 33
Corey Brewer: 25
Rodrigue Beaubois: 23
Caron Butler (injured): 31

The Mavs go as Dirk goes, and it appears Dirk may have another two to three elite years left in him, particularly since he looks better than ever right now at age 32. But his surrounding cast is not getting any younger.

This postseason, it hasn't seemed to matter. Kidd hasn't played like he's 38, nor has Marion played like he's 33. Age and wisdom have carried the Mavs to the finals. Each time they advance, the question is: How much more do the Mavs have left in the tank?

You'd have to think they'll be energized tonight when feeling like outcasts in Miami should provide an extra boost of adrenaline.

Be back later tonight for my post-game remarks and observations from Game 1.

For now, enjoy the NBA Finals. And Go Mavs.