Miami, FL (AHN Sports)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki fired back at Dwyane Wade and LeBron James Saturday after the Miami Heat stars were caught mocking his illness right after the morning shoot-around in Game 5.

Nowitzki, who racked up 21 points and 11 boards despite dealing with 101-degree fever in Game 4's 86-83 victory over the Heat, called Wade and James' camera stunt [coughing] 'a little childish.'

"I just thought it was a little childish, a little ignorant," Nowitzki told ESPN after Saturday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I've been in this league for 13 years. I've never faked an injury or illness."

Averaging 27.0 points and 9.7 rebounds in the finals, Nowitzki insisted he's more focused on Sunday's Game 6, wherein a win can give him his first ever NBA title.

"So we're one win away from my dream, what I've worked for half of my life. This is all I'm really worried about. This is all I'm focusing on," Nowitzki told ESPN Saturday.

Wade, on the other hand, denied the accusations and even blamed the media for blowing up the incident.

"I actually did cough," Wade said Saturday. "And with the cameras being right there, we made a joke out of it because we knew you guys were going to blow it up. You did exactly what we knew."

Meanwhile, James - who averaged just 17.2 points in the Finals - backed off from the issue, asserting there are far greater concerns, like his shaky play and his team trailing in the series.

Indeed, as Wade, James, and the rest of the Heat found themselves on a verge of suffering the biggest postseason disappointment in franchise history following a much-hyped season.

After five thrilling games, the Mavs traveled back to Miami with a 3-2 edge and can capture the NBA title with a win Sunday at American Airlines Arena.

That is if Nowitzki and Dallas don't, ahem, cough up the lead.

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