Nowitzki finished with 30 points and 14 boards in a stunning all-round performance, getting the upper hand on former teammate Steve Nash - a role reversal of Game One.

Josh Howard was also in spectacular form as he ignored an ankle injury and posted 29 points and seven rebounds.

Boris Diaw tried valiantly to keep the Suns in the match, the big centre adding 25 points and pulling down 10 boards.

The Mavs took a 22-17 lead to the first break, but Phoenix fired in the second period and had forged a 52-47 advantage at the halfway mark.

The Suns maintained a narrow two-point margin (77-75) at three-quarter time, but Nowitzki stepped up in the final term and dropped 12 points to help seal the victory.