Play-offs results
PHOENIX (NBA) - Dirk Nowitzki had 28 points and 17 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks regained home-court advantage with a 95-88 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game Three of the Western Conference finals.
The fourth-seeded Mavericks have now beaten the second-seeded Suns in two straight games after giving away the opener at home. Dallas also improved to 5-2 on the road in the post-season.
Mavericks coach Avery Johnson admitted that his team cannot afford to run with the Suns, who use a wide-open offense piloted by two-time MVP Steve Nash to press the tempo better than any team in the league. To combat the run-and-gun Suns, Johnson has demanded patience on offence and hustle on defense.
Phoenix, second in the NBA in fast-break points during the season, managed just four fast-break points in this game - and none in the second half. The offense ground to a halt, with just 36 points after half-time and failing to reach 90 for the first time in the post-season.
Dallas got the offence they needed, especially from Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry, who combined for 40 of their 69 points in the second half.
Howard scored 16 of his 22 points and Terry 10 of his 19 after the interval.
"We really controlled the tempo great," said German star Nowitzki.
"Especially in the second half we got back in transition. We wanted to run when we had the chance but if not we wanted to slow it down, look for some shots. We only shot 41% but if you get a shot up every time and don't turn the ball over, that keeps them from running. If they have to play defense for 24 seconds all the time they don't get the run-outs."
The Mavericks also held edges in rebounds (48-45), offensive rebounds (19-12) and steals (8-0) while committing just six turnovers and forcing 13. Nash scored 21 points, Frenchman Boris Diaw added 20 and Brazilian Leandro Barbosa 17 for the Suns, who shot just 43%.
Dallas opened the second half with a 12-2 run fuelled by Nowitzki and Howard, taking a 59-54 lead on a jumper by Terry. The Mavericks trailed for just 20 seconds thereafter, taking the lead for good at 78-72 with a 6-0 spurt early in the final period.
Germany international Nowitzki, along with Diaw and Barbosa will all play at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this summer.
PA Sport