Mavs 2011 NBA Finals Opponent to Join Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki on Hardwood Soon

The Dallas Mavericks rivalry with the Miami Heat isn't nearly as heated as it was in 2006 and 2011 when the two franchises met in the NBA Finals.

Miami took the first meeting in six games after initially falling into a 2-0 deficit. However, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki helped the Mavs get their revenge five years later, as they defeated Miami's star trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in six games to settle the score.

Now, more than a decade later, the two teams are connecting yet again, but this time, it's in a more friendly and unique setting.

Goran Dragic retired from the NBA last season and is having a farewell game that is set to be played on Aug. 24 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Several basketball stars and former stars are expected to play in the game, including Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, who is essentially a Slovenian younger brother to Dragic, and Bosh, who spent time in Miami as Dragic's teammate.

Dragic, who was often linked to the Mavs in trade and free agency rumors during his time in the league, enjoyed a 15-year career before calling it quits. He played in 946 games and was a starter for 530 of them. Dragic averaged 13.3 points and 4.7 assists per game for his career while shooting 45.9 percent from the floor overall and 36.2 percent from deep.

Related: Clash of Titans: Lively vs. Wemby in Opener

As for Bosh, this will be his first time returning to the hardwood since 2016. The Hall-of-Fame forward played 13 seasons before having to retire early due to blood clots. Above all rivalries, the NBA is a brotherhood more than anything else, and it will be nice to see Bosh doing what he loves once again among his peers.