NOWITZKI, MAVS DOWN SUNS IN GAME 5

Dirk Nowitzki totaled a playoff career-high 50 points on Thursday to power Dallas to a 117-101 Game 5 win over visiting Phoenix. After coming off a season-low 11 points in Game 4, Nowitzki was a man possessed, scoring 13 of his 50 points in the first period, shooting 14-of-26 from the floor and grabbing 12 rebounds. In the fourth quarter, Nowitzki outscored the entire Suns team 22-20 by himself. Josh Howard also stepped up, posting 23 points and making the Mavs 24-0 this season when he collects 20 or more points. Phoenix was led by Tim Thomas, who notched a playoff career-high with 26 points on 6-of-8 shooting from downtown. Steve Nash contributed 20 points and 11 assists, while Shawn Marion added 20 points and 10 boards. The Mavs will look to close out the Suns in Game 6 on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT) in Phoenix.