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PHOENIX SUNS +6.5 @ DALLAS MAVERICKS
Phoenix at Dallas 8:30 pm EDT Western Conference finals Game One
Steve Nash helped the Dallas Mavericks get where they are today, but now his priority is making sure they don't reach their first NBA Finals.
Nash leads the Phoenix Suns up against the Mavericks on Wednesday in Game One of the Western Conference finals.
The Mavericks' floor leader from 1998-2004, Nash has spent the last two seasons resurrecting the Suns with his up-tempo style and unselfish attitude on the court.
The NBA MVP each of the last two years, Nash collected 29 points and 11 assists in Monday's 127-107 Game Seven victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Shawn Marion added 30 points and nine rebounds, Leandro Barbosa chipped in 18 points and Tim Thomas 16 for second-seeded Phoenix, which has needed to go to Game Seven in each of its first two series.
Making their second straight trip to the conference finals, the Suns will try to avenge a five-game loss to San Antonio in this round last season.
Standing in their way are the fourth-seeded Mavericks, fresh off their seven-game upset of the defending champion Spurs.
Dallas needed overtime to outlast San Antonio, 119-111, in Monday's Game Seven as Dirk Nowitzki scored 37 points, including the critical three-point play late in regulation.
Nowitzki made 11-of-20 shots and 15-of-16 free throws, adding a team-best 15 rebounds. Jason Terry contributed 27 points and Josh Howard added 18 for the Mavericks, who are in the conference finals for the second time in four seasons and just the third time in franchise history.
Phoenix has been to the championship round twice, with the last time coming in 1993 when the Charles Barkley-led team fell to the Chicago Bulls in six games.
The Mavericks, who split four meetings with the Suns during the regular season, will host Game Two on Friday.
Phoenix at Dallas 8:30 pm EDT Western Conference finals Game One
Steve Nash helped the Dallas Mavericks get where they are today, but now his priority is making sure they don't reach their first NBA Finals.
Nash leads the Phoenix Suns up against the Mavericks on Wednesday in Game One of the Western Conference finals.
The Mavericks' floor leader from 1998-2004, Nash has spent the last two seasons resurrecting the Suns with his up-tempo style and unselfish attitude on the court.
The NBA MVP each of the last two years, Nash collected 29 points and 11 assists in Monday's 127-107 Game Seven victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Shawn Marion added 30 points and nine rebounds, Leandro Barbosa chipped in 18 points and Tim Thomas 16 for second-seeded Phoenix, which has needed to go to Game Seven in each of its first two series.
Making their second straight trip to the conference finals, the Suns will try to avenge a five-game loss to San Antonio in this round last season.
Standing in their way are the fourth-seeded Mavericks, fresh off their seven-game upset of the defending champion Spurs.
Dallas needed overtime to outlast San Antonio, 119-111, in Monday's Game Seven as Dirk Nowitzki scored 37 points, including the critical three-point play late in regulation.
Nowitzki made 11-of-20 shots and 15-of-16 free throws, adding a team-best 15 rebounds. Jason Terry contributed 27 points and Josh Howard added 18 for the Mavericks, who are in the conference finals for the second time in four seasons and just the third time in franchise history.
Phoenix has been to the championship round twice, with the last time coming in 1993 when the Charles Barkley-led team fell to the Chicago Bulls in six games.
The Mavericks, who split four meetings with the Suns during the regular season, will host Game Two on Friday.