2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season
The 2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season was the 26th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season saw Dallas go to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but lost to the Miami Heat, who were led by Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, in six games. Dallas and Miami met again in the 2011 NBA Finals, where the Mavericks avenged the loss and defeated the favored Heat in six games to win their first NBA championship. Teammates Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry were the only members of both 2006 and 2011 Finals teams.
| 2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season | |
|---|---|
Conference champions | |
| Head coach | Avery Johnson |
| General manager | Donnie Nelson |
| President | Donnie Nelson |
| Owner(s) | Mark Cuban |
| Arena | American Airlines Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 60–22 (.732) |
| Place | Division: 2nd (Southwest) Conference: 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | NBA Finals (lost to Heat 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KTVT KTXA FSN Southwest |
| Radio | KESN |
In the playoffs, the Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. In the Western Conference semifinals, they met the San Antonio Spurs once again in the playoffs for the first time since the 2003 Western Conference finals, and defeated the Spurs in seven games. They got to Conference finals once again for the first time since 2003, where they beat the Phoenix Suns in six games and won their first conference title in franchise history. In the NBA Finals, they faced the Miami Heat but lost to them in six games.
Starting the season, the Mavericks started with a 35–10 record as Dirk Nowitzki was selected for the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston. The Mavericks finished with a 60–22 record overall and second place in the Southwest Division. Head coach Avery Johnson was named Coach of The Year. Following the season, Keith Van Horn retired.