Dirk Nowitzki brought the Dallas Maverciks back from an early 18-point deficit to close out the Phoenix Suns, 102-93, in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals Saturday at US Airways Center.

Nowitzki dropped in 24 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Josh Howard posted 20 points and 15 rebounds and provided much more on the defensive end of the court, collecting three steals. Jerry Stackhouse added 19 points and Jason Terry donated 17 for Dallas.

The Mavericks outscored Phoenix 40-27 in the deciding fourth quarter and will now host Miami in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, beginning Thursday. Dallas won both contests against the Heat this season.

The sun set on a short-handed Phoenix squad Saturday after a season that bested reasonable expectations. Star forward Amare Stoudemire played in only three games because of a right knee injury and Joe Johnson bolted for Atlanta in the offseason.

However, Steve Nash put together another MVP season and the Suns pieced together a team that reached the conference finals.

It ended Saturday despite 19 points and nine assists from Nash and a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds from Boris Diaw. Leandro Barbosa added 14 points and Marion posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but the Suns tired down the stretch after using just seven players.

Phoenix was playing in its eighth conference finals, but hasn't advanced to the NBA Finals since falling to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 1993.

Editor: Donald