By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Big parade in Big D Thursday
Mavs return home with heavy hardware
Mavs return to Big D
Brendan Haywood (left) clutched the NBA Finals trophy while Dirk Nowitzki had his MVP trophy in tow after the Dallas Mavericks returned to the Big D after beating the Miami Heat in six games to capture the franchise's first NBA title. - photo by The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — A crowd of 250,000 is expected when the newly crowned NBA champion Dallas Mavericks are honored with a parade Thursday.

Mayor Dwayne Carraway said the city's goal is "to make sure everyone is safe" along the route, which will start at the Dallas Convention Center downtown and wind its way north to the American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks finished off the Miami Heat in the NBA finals on Sunday for the first championship in the franchise's 31-year history.

The team said owner Mark Cuban, players, coaches and front office personnel will be part of the parade. Former owner and team founder Don Carter also will participate, the team announced.

Officials warned fans to be ready to deal with sweltering heat. Hundred of people greeted the team in 90-degree temperatures when its plane arrived at Dallas Love Field from Miami around midday Monday.

The parade is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and the roads will be closed two hours earlier, the city announced. Fans can begin arriving at 7 a.m.

At the parade's conclusion, a special event for season ticket holders will be held inside the American Airlines Center, the team said. That part of the celebration will be broadcast on televisions in the plaza outside.

Cuban has said he will pay all parade costs incurred by the city.

The title is the first for any Dallas-Fort Worth team since the Dallas Stars won the NHL's Stanley Cup in 1999. The Texas Rangers won the 2010 American League pennant but lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants.