Chalmers Starts For Bibby In Game 6 Of NBA Finals

MIAMI (AP) - Mario Chalmers has been moved into Miami's starting lineup for Game 6 of the NBA finals.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra revealed the switch shortly before tipoff against the Dallas Mavericks, with Miami facing a win-or-else game. The Mavericks took a 3-2 series lead into Sunday night's matchup.

It's Chalmers' first start since March 19.

"What we've proven is we can play guys different amounts of minutes regardless of who we start," Spoelstra said before the game, then without saying that he was switching point guards from Mike Bibby to Chalmers. "A lot of what we want changed is what's happening in the fourth quarter, to be frank."

The Heat are 19-9 with Chalmers as a starter this season. Bibby will come off the bench for the first time in this postseason.

Chalmers has averaged 10.6 points per game in the finals, making 12 of 25 tries from 3-point range. Bibby is averaging only 3.8 points in the finals, with 14 of his 19 points coming in a Game 2 loss and was just 2 for 8 from the field in the three games at Dallas.

The move isn't just for offensive reasons. Bibby has struggled at times defensively in the series against J.J. Barea, who was back in Dallas' starting lineup for Game 6.

"He's an offensive-minded point guard when he's at his best," Spoelstra said of Bibby. "He's a natural quarterback. But the more he looks at the rim, the better it helps our offense."

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