It should be an interesting series...I think that these two teams are really great for the finals and I'm glad to see them both there (thank god the Pistons and Spurs are gone).
Here are my predictions:
1.) I have absolutely no idea if any of this will actually happen since its impossible to predict anything with teams from different conferences.
2.) Dwade and Dirk are both unstoppable, so they will both dominate, although Josh Howard may be able to slow Dwade down and force some turnovers (Wade has been rather turnover-prone this postseason). Heat have NOBODY to guard Dirk (then again, who does?)
3.) It should come down to Shaq and how he manages to play against the Dampier-Diop front line. Although both Mavs bigs suck, they play decent D, and can be scrappy enough down there to slow Shaq down and force some longer jump hooks if he gets lazy. The Heat will absolutely pound the ball down low, however, since the mavs are too quick on the perimiter to open up spots for a Jason Williams or Posey to get open looks. I think if Shaq plays the way he still can and puts up 25 and 13 every game, the Heat have a great shot at winning it.
4.) Although a big deal is made out of Zo, GP, and Toine the Mavs have a better supporting cast. Stackhouse has been great the entire postseason, and the Heat have nobody to guard either Terry nor Devin Harris (forget about guarding Harris on the perimeter...Barbosa might have been fast enough, but GP is slow as dirt now and Williams is suspect, they need the shotblockers to really step up once Harris penetrates).
My prediction is this: if Shaq plays fantastic basketball this whole series, Heat in 7. If Shaq gets into foul trouble or can't get up as many shots as he needs and has sub-par games, Dallas will win it in 6. At their best, I feel like the Heat are a better team than Dallas, but the Heat are pretty up and down. Dallas plays great every time they're out there, whether at home or on the road.
Anyways, I can't give two predictions like that without being seen as a pussy, so I will compromise between my two picks and give you: Mavs in 7.