NBA

Nash's 3-pointers eliminate Dallas

By wire services
Published May 21, 2005

DALLAS - With Steve Nash leading the way, there's simply no stopping the Suns offense. Not in a game and, perhaps, not in the playoffs.

Nash helped erase a 16-point, third-quarter deficit, forced overtime on a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left, then made the 3 that put the Suns ahead for good in a 130-126 victory over the Mavericks on Friday night that put Phoenix, the first team to win consecutive games this series, in the Western Conference final that starts Sunday.

"We've always had it in us," Nash said. "We just have to stay hungry."

Nobody enjoyed it more than Nash, who made the Mavs regret not re-signing him last summer by producing 39 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.

Dallas got 36 points from his replacement, Jason Terry, including a tough 3-pointer with three seconds left that kept the drama going until the final buzzer. Yet Mavs fans will remember Nash dribbling by Terry for the open shot that tied the score at 111 in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, then Terry getting berated by Dirk Nowitzki after the buzzer for his defense.

Nowitzki, who had 28 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, found Nash after the game and shared a brief hug.

"They said congratulations and just keep going," Nash said about the postgame hugs from former teammates.

CELTICS: Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, whose contract would have expired after next season, received a three-year extension.

PACERS: Reggie Miller had been preparing for the moment for several years. When Miller's NBA career ended with a playoff loss to the Pistons on Thursday night, the transition was complete."The mantle goes to Jermaine (O'Neal) now," Miller said. "It's his team. But there's a lot of great, young talent here."

SPURS: San Antonio is battered and bruised after a six-game playoff series with Seattle. The Spurs eliminated the SuperSonics 98-96 Thursday night when Tim Duncan banked in a short runner with less than a second remaining. "This series was really tough, really long," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "We're tired, bummed out. Tim has a bad ankle. I have some contusions, but that's part of it. We're going to play in the conference finals." Duncan, who missed all but one of his first 13 shots Thursday, tweaked his left ankle in the fourth quarter. Ginobili, who assisted on the game-winning shot, bruised his thigh early in the game after a collision with Damien Wilkins.

[Last modified May 21, 2005, 01:16:06]