The Dallas Mavericks are halfway home in the 2006 NBA Finals, taking a 14-point victory in Game 2 on their home floor over the Miami Heat.

Jerry Stackhouse, whose contributions in Game 1 came in the midst of an injured nose, came through at a most crucial time for Dallas in Game 2, helping Dallas pull away from the Heat just prior to halftime and take over strategic control of the game.

Dirk Nowitski led the way for the Mavericks with 26 points, but late in the second quarter, it was Stackhouse who keyed a Dallas scoring run that sent the Heat into halftime a demoralized team.

With the score 40-34 in favor of Dallas and less than a minute and a half remaining in the first half, Stackhouse drilled a three-pointer following an assist from Nowitski.

After Miami's Dwayne Wade was called for palming, Nowitski found Stackhouse again and he came through, nailing another three-pointer to give Dallas a 46-34 lead with 43 seconds remaining in the half.

On that play, Stackhouse took advantage of a foul called against Wade and converted a free throw, giving him a rare four-point play.

Seconds later, following another Heat turnover, Stackhouse came through again, nailing his third three-pointer in just over a minute.

This one, with just two seconds remaining in the half, gave the Mavericks a comfortable 50-34 halftime advantage.

In all, Stackhouse connected on three three-pointers and scored 10 points in approximately 80 seconds.

Stackhouse would go on to score 7 more points in the second half, but it was his offensive outburst late in the opening half that helped put away the Heat and give Dallas a commanding 2-0 series lead heading to Miami for Games 3 and 4.

"After I shot the first one, there was no hesitation once I caught it the second time," Stackhouse told the Associated Press after the game.

"I was probably three feet behind the 3-point line on the second one. When you're feeling good, you let it ride."

"That sent us into the locker room obviously not in a very good state of mind," said Miami head coach Pat Riley.

For the game, Stackhouse was 6-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from behind the three-point line. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line.

In addition, Stackhouse contributed 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Stackhouse and his Maverick teammates will look to continue their hot shooting in Game 3, which is scheduled for Tuesday night at 9:00 pm.