Dallas Over Miami in Game 4

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki didn't feel well, and Miami Heat forward LeBron James didn't play well.

Advantage Mavericks.

Dallas defeated Miami 86-83, and evened the NBA Finals at 2-2, ensuring a trip back to Miami for at least Game 6. Game 5 is in Dallas Thursday at 8 pm on  ABC.

Nowitzki, battling a triple-digit temperature, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including four of Dallas' final six points — two on a driving layup with 14.4 seconds left, giving the Mavericks an 84-81 lead.

"He was battling," Dallas center Tyson Chandler said. "Doctors trying to get it down, they really couldn't keep it under control. He showed incredible heart. We all saw him go through walkthrough … coughing, wheezing. We really had to step up for him tonight. We just played with heart and passion. That's an incredible team over there. In order to win, you have to go all out."

Nowitzki's effort stoked memories of Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Michael Jordan's 38-point performance with a 103-degree fever, which helped give the Bulls a 3-2 lead in the 1997 Finals.