Heat’s confidence level is still high heading into Game 3

A mere six minutes of chaos for Miami, or the start of something really special for Dallas?

It was hard to discern heading into Game 3, but Dwyane Wade claimed he was sweating as he spoke with reporters Saturday. The Heat feeling the heat?

“No, it’s the lights,” the Miami guard said on a well-lit dais. “Sorry.”

It was one thing for the Heat to collapse like it did in Game 2, getting outscored, 22-5, down the stretch of a 95-93 loss as the NBA Finals evened up at a game each.

But it’s another thing to question Miami’s confidence as the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Sunday.

Wade and LeBron James took turns saying the Heat’s self-assurance had not been dinged, spitting out derivatives of the theme by saying how much they looked forward to Sunday and were inspired by the challenge after their late Game 2 gaffes.

“We’re a confident bunch,” James said.

Said Wade: “We can’t wait to play.”

It was confounding to see Miami stop playing in Game 2, missing nine of its last 10 shots as the offense broke down into a series of mish-mash isolations and a one-on-one mind-set.

James, for his part, pledged to be more aggressive with the basketball throughout the game.

When Miami beat Dallas five years ago in the NBA Finals, everybody wondered how Wade was awarded so many free throws. Now people wondered whether James was going to get any … including James.

“Six free throws in two games, I do that in my sleep in one game. So that’s not me,” he said. “So I’m going to make a concerted effort to be more aggressive to try to get to the rim, create some more opportunities for myself and my teammates.”

Heat players declared themselves ready for three games in Dallas. They have seen worse throughout the season as the NBA’s least-liked team.

“It’s going to be a hostile environment. Nothing the Miami Heat are not used to,” Wade said. “We look forward to it.”

Matrix reloaded

After a nondescript season as a part-time starter with the Mavericks, Shawn Marion reclaimed some of the edge that made him one of the game’s most exciting players while with Phoenix.

Through two Finals games, he is averaging 18 points, nine rebounds and 38 minutes.

“I think it actually already started in the Oklahoma City series, when he had to guard one of the best scorers and the scoring leader with [Kevin] Durant,” Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “He really took the challenge on both ends of the floor.

“On offense, he’s been phenomenal. He’s been cutting for us, he’s been posting up, he’s been getting offensive rebounds, put backs. He’s got a bounce in his step and it’s fun to watch.”

Marion averaged 12.5 points in 27 games as a starter in the regular season.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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