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Diaw's Big Night Sparks Suns
Steve Nash (27 points, 16 assists) slips past the Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki (25 points, 19 rebounds) during Phoenix's win Wednesday.
(By Smiley N. Pool -- Associated Press)
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The result was further proof why Diaw was voted the NBA's most improved player and why Phoenix is back in the conference finals for a second straight year despite having had Stoudemire for only three games.
"At one point there was a label on him that he was a soft, noncompetitive player," Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I'm telling you he's just the opposite. . . . He's one of the most competitive guys we have, just an intelligent basketball player that knows how to play."
Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 19 rebounds, but the Mavericks blew their late lead with a spurt of turnovers and a lack of defensive stops when they needed them most.
"We were just bad tonight in a lot of different areas that we have to improve on in a hurry," Coach Avery Johnson said.
Dallas fans might not be able to take more of these heart-stopping finishes. The Mavericks were coming off a second-round series against San Antonio that included six games decided at the end, including Game 7 in overtime.
One consolation for the Mavericks is that they also lost the opener to the Spurs. Another is that Game 2 is in Dallas on Friday night.
For Phoenix, this furious finish stuff is becoming fun.
The Suns lost all seven regular season games decided by three points or less, then dropped another early in the playoffs. But now they've won two nail-biters, having also beaten the Clippers 94-91 in Game 3 of the previous round.
Both teams lost starters to leg injuries -- Josh Howard for Dallas (sprained right ankle) and Raja Bell (strained left calf) for Phoenix. The Suns also are concerned about Marion, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds but appeared to hurt his left ankle in the final minutes.
Asked if he'll be able to play Game 2, Marion said, "Hey, I don't have a choice."
Howard's MRI showed a bone bruise and Johnson said Howard's availability will be a game-time decision. Bell left the locker room on crutches.
"I felt it pop," he said. "It's pretty painful. But I've got to be optimistic. I want to play. We'll see how it feels in the morning."
Johnson said Howard's absence creates "a big void" on both ends of the court. Besides covering Marion, he's one of Dallas's best attackers. He scored six points in his six minutes; Dallas is 21-0 this season when he scores 20 points.
Although both teams were coming off Game 7 wins Monday night, there was no emotional or physical letdown either way. The track meet everyone expected was off and running from the start.
