NBA - Mavs down Heat in Game 5

DALLAS (NBA) - The Dallas Mavericks got another strong effort from Dirk Nowitzki and his supporting cast in a 112-103 triumph over Miami in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Nowitzki, bothered by a sinus infection in Tuesday's Game 4 win yet well enough to lead the Mavs to victory, led all scorers with 29 points 48 hours later as Dallas moved to within one victory of their first NBA crown.

The Mavs and Heat will now play Game 6 in Miami on Sunday.

Jose Barea, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry also came up big for the Mavs in their latest success.

Puerto Rican Barea started and had 17 points, drilling four of five shots from long range, while Terry came off the bench and buried three of five attempts from the arc en route to 21 points.

Veteran Kidd (13 pts) drilled three of five from three-point range as well for the Mavs, who made a scintillating 13 of 19 as a team.

Dallas will now try to win the series and the club's first-ever title when Game 6 is played on Sunday in Miami.

"We're going to stay in the moment, just keep studying how we play best," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said.

"We're going to play whistle to whistle.

"I've been watching the hockey series (NHL Finals) and heard that term.

"A lot of people in the hockey world use that term.

"That's what we're going to try and do, win each possession and take it one at a time."

The series has become a classic.

"An NBA Finals is a 16-day deal, or whatever it is," Carlisle said.

"It's very long, but for somehow or another, it goes by fast. By staying in the moment and really focusing on what's important for us, that really helps us."

The Heat now have their backs against the wall, and coach Erik Spoelstra knows it.

Miami's Dwyane Wade was inspirational, scoring 23 points and dishing out eight assists, despite twice going to the changing room to get treatment for a hip injury.

Wade was the MVP of the 2006 NBA Finals when the Heat overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Nowitzki and the Mavs, 4-2.

"By definition, this certainly is a series of mental and physical endurance," Spoelstra said.

"Each game is a possession game going down to the stretch. We were able to steal one here and they did what they needed to do, they took care of the last two games going down the stretch.

"We're going back to Miami and we have to do the same thing."

Wade's injury is a concern for the Heat.

"We'll have to wait and see how he responds tomorrow (Friday)," Spoelstra said.

"When he's able to sweat and keep it warm, he was fine. Fortunately we have an extra day and we'll see if that's enough."

LeBron James, held to just eight points in Game 4, had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 6.

Nowitzki is the biggest problem for the Heat although Barea and Terry have caused them headaches, too.

"Nowitzki requires at least attention of one and a half or often times two guys and creates some kind of trigger," Spoelstra said.

"Barea was able to make some plays, break us down and Terry was able to do that as well..."

"It is not easy against this team, but we are capable, very capable when we're on top of it."

FIBA