Several analysts call the Mavericks as the next NBA champs citing citing lack of depth and speed on the Heat Roster. Here's their take below:

Frim the Miami Herald:

FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ Analysts weigh in on Finals

BARRY JACKSON [email protected]

Polling analysts on the NBA Finals:

• TNT's Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith pick Dallas. ''You've got DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier to guard Shaquille O'Neal -- you don't have to [double-team],'' Barkley said. ''That's going to hurt Miami's role players. They have no answer for Dirk Nowitzki. They can run a lot of bodies at Dwyane Wade. I give Jason Terry an edge over Jason Williams at the point.''

• ESPN Radio's Jack Ramsay, on espn.com, picks Dallas in six, adding that Miami doesn't have ''the depth, quickness or shooting ability to match up well. Udonis Haslem will probably need help covering Nowitzki, which will open up the court for the rest of the Mavericks. As Chicago showed [in the first round], a quick, penetrating team can get to the rim and create foul trouble for Shaq. The Heat doesn't have an answer for Josh Howard. The Mavs at times will threaten to run the Heat right off the floor.''

• TNT's Steve Kerr: ''Dallas in six, because of their versatility and depth.''

• ABC's Mark Jackson ''heavily'' favors Dallas ''because of depth, speed.'' He also predicts Miami's perimeter defense ''will be exposed.''

• TNT's Doug Collins: ''Miami in six, because I think Shaq is on a mission to fulfill the promise he made when he arrived there. Also, the schedule with [several] days off benefits them.''

• TNT's Reggie Miller, a frequent Heat critic, also picks Miami in six: ''Shaq shows the world: Kobe who?''

I'm praying for the Miami Heat in four but I predict the series will go to seven. Both teams are hungry first-time participants in the NBA finals. It will be a dogfight.

GO MIAMI HEAT!

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged