Play-offs results
DALLAS (NBA) - Dirk Nowitzki scored 12 of his 30 points in the final 10 minutes as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 105-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns to level the Western Conference finals at 1-1.
Josh Howard ignored an ankle injury to score a play-off career-high 29 points and 7ft DeSagana Diop was on form for the fourth-seeded Mavericks, who were the team with the late surge this time as they salvaged their season.
In Game One, Nowitzki had 25 points and 19 rebounds but was uncharacteristically quiet in the fourth quarter, when Dallas squandered a nine-point lead in the final three-and-a-half minutes.
Leading Phoenix's comeback was Steve Nash, the two-time MVP who scored 10 points in a two-minute span as he looked for his offence.
But the long-time friends reversed roles in the final period in this game.
Nowitzki, who also pulled down 14 rebounds, was aggressive as he fuelled a 30-point fourth quarter, while Nash did not take a shot in the second half until making an uncontested lay-up in the waning seconds.
A three-pointer by Shawn Marion gave second-seeded Phoenix an 82-78 lead with 10:45 remaining before Nowitzki responded with a pair of short jumpers to trigger a 12-2 surge.
Howard, who was questionable with a bone bruise in his right ankle, made 10-of-19 shots and added seven rebounds, and he scored 13 points in the third quarter to keep the Mavericks in the game.
Jason Terry recovered from a slow start to score 18 points and Stackhouse added all 11 of his in the final 13 minutes for the Mavericks, who had advantages of 48-39 on the backboards and 36-11 in free throws.
Game One hero Boris Diaw had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.
Tim Thomas scored 20 points, Marion added 19 and 19 rebounds and Nash 16 and 11 assists for the Suns, who host Games Three and Four on Sunday and Tuesday.
PA Sport