Health improved, Nowitzki set for Game 5

DALLAS, June 8 (UPI) -- Dallas playoff hero Dirk Nowitzki said Wednesday his health has improved and he expected to be at full strength for Thursday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Nowitzki played with a fever of 101 degrees during his team's 86-83 victory over Miami Tuesday, which evened the championship series at 2-2.

"I feel a lot better today," Nowitzki said barely 12 hours after scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds while coughing and showing obvious signs of weakness. "The fever is basically gone and that's always the main concern. The sniffles or the cough, you don't really care about that as long as the fever is gone."

Dallas will host Game 5. Game 6 will be played in Miami, as will Game 7, if needed.

Miami's LeBron James called his effort in Game 4 "inexcusable."

James scored only eight points and had none while Dallas was putting on another fourth-quarter rally. The Mavericks came from nine points behind in the final period after rallying from 15 down in the last quarter to win Game 2.

"Eight points is definitely inexcusable for myself," James said during his Wednesday news conference. "I hold myself up to a higher standard. I had to do a better job of putting myself in situations where I can benefit myself and my team, no matter how many minutes I'm out on the floor."

Dallas guard DeShawn Stevenson said he thought James "checked out" because Dwyane Wade was playing at such a high level.

Wade scored 32 points in the fourth game, although he fumbled away an inbounds pass in the final seconds that cost Miami a realistic chance to tie the contest at the buzzer.

"Dwyane Wade had it going and sometimes you get like that when a player has it going," Stevenson said.

"Our defense was good, but at the same time he (James) wasn't in attack mode. We all know that LeBron can get to the basket and when he has his shot going, it's pretty tough to keep him from the free throw line."

James said he paid no attention to what was written or said about him.

"I haven't read anything," James said. "I didn't play well, especially offensively. I know that. I've got to do a better job of helping this team win basketball games, especially late, no matter what it is."