Old habits come in handy: Mavericks guard Michael Finley likes winning big more than scoring big--but he can do the latter if needed. (NBA Playoffs).

The Mavericks know something about being underestimated. Even after winning their first 14 out of the gate this season--the Cowboys never did that--they had more doubters than teams playing .500, much less one that for nearly a month was twice that good.

The team fell on hard times when franchise cornerstone Michael Finley missed 13 games in March and early April with a strained left hamstring and, even after his return, struggled to regain his shooting touch. The Mavericks themselves began to worry, but--as he had done so many times in his 6 1/2 years with the team--Finley adjusted, contributed in other ways and, finally, regained his touch.

"He's gotten better every game," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said after Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. "I've always said I didn't think he was 100 percent, but now I think he's 100 percent. He's playing as well as he's always played."

Finley is doing what he always has done for the Mavericks: stepping up when they need him most. With the team's leading scorer, Dirk Nowitzki, getting hurt in Game 3, Finley's improved shooting became even more vital. He indeed steadily has improved, shooting 40.4 percent from the floor in the first round of the playoffs, 41.0 in the second and 48.4 in the first four games of the conference finals.

"Mike has really stepped up as more of a leader this year," Mavericks assistant Donn Nelson says. "He's been more vocal, more encouraging.

Fortunately, Finley can do most everything.

"I just want to do whatever it takes for my team to win," Finley says. "If it means going out there and scoring no points and getting a lot of rebounds and assists, then that's what I'll do--as long we win."