NBA News 2011: Mavs' champion parade set

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Police closed the plaza outside the American Airlines Arena after it reached its capacity of 3,000 people. Fans began staking out their favorite spots hours before the parade's scheduled 10 a.m. Thursday start.

More than 250,000 people were expected to cheer on a fleet of three floats, 10 convertibles and a dozen trucks featuring star player Dirk Nowitzki, club owner Mark Cuban, team founder Don Carter and the Larry O'Brien Trophy statue given to the NBA's top team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6667655

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NBA News 2010: Heat folding under weight of season

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“In the last 48 hours, we’re getting to know each other,” Spoelstra said. “This is good. You need to face this adversity.

“You need to stumble.”

Yes, they’re getting to know each other. With two horrific losses within three days at American Airlines Arena, the Heat are mortified to find themselves fighting to stay above .500, and Spoelstra is getting to know his superstar, LeBron James(notes). Chris Bosh(notes) came and went, Dwyane Wade(notes) stood in the corners and watched. Most of all, James found himself in postseason shape, closing a loss to the Boston Celtics with a missed layup, two missed free throws and a corner 3-pointer off the side of the backboard.

The world’s bearing down, times are tumultuous, and James is the one Heat star in playoff form.

“For myself, 44 minutes is too much,” James declared. “I think Coach Spo knows that. Forty minutes for D-Wade is too much. We have to have as much energy as we can to finish games out.”

There you go, Coach Spo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtsC95rssVWojulCTVoI.OI5nYcB?slug=aw-celticsheat111210

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