Dirk Nowitzki (left) of the Dallas Mavericks is fouled by Channing Frye of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of their NBA game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (AFP)


DPA/Los Angeles


The Dallas Mavericks acquired Monta Ellis to help German superstar Dirk Nowitzki get back into the playoffs. That’s exactly what he did. Ellis scored a season-high 37 points Saturday night and Nowitzki added 21 of his 23 in the second half, when the host Mavericks rallied for a thrilling 101-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns to clinch a postseason berth.
“The reason we won is because we had one of the best players on the planet in Dirk,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “And because Monta Ellis, at the time we needed him most, stepped up and played his biggest game of the year.”
Brandan Wright had 12 points, 11 rebounds and a huge blocked shot for Dallas (49-32), which rallied from a 13-point third-quarter deficit but nearly wasted a late eight-point lead.
“This is where we want to be, on the big stage of the playoffs,” said Nowitzki, who made 8-of-15 shots.
After missing the playoffs last season for the first time 2000, the Mavericks made a run at free agent center Dwight Howard before settling for Ellis, a career 19-point scorer often criticised for shooting too much. But the 28-year-old Ellis has been an ideal complement for the 35-year-old Nowitzki, especially in this game.
“The floor was open for me. Coach just had me attack,” said Ellis, who made 15-of-23 shots. “I attacked and made plays, got open when I needed to, and the shot was just going down.”
“He scored 37 and we couldn’t stop him,” Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. The game was tied when Nowitzki made a three-pointer, Ellis had a steal and layup and Devin Harris sank a three-pointer for a 97-89 lead with 3:30 left.
Chasing a Western Conference playoff spot as well, the Suns (47-33) fought back within 99-98 with 52 seconds to play on a free throw by Eric Bledsoe, who scored 29 points. But Bledsoe missed the second foul shot. Ellis split two free throws with 20 seconds remaining before Wright soared to block a drive by Bledsoe. Ellis again split a pair from the line, but Markieff Morris missed a potential tying three-pointer.
Channing Frye scored 21 points for the Suns, who are a half-game behind Memphis (47-32) for the final playoff spot. Phoenix hosts Memphis today and Dallas visits Memphis on Wednesday.
“Hopefully we can win the next game against Memphis and if so, anything is possible,” Suns guard and Slovenia native Goran Dragic said. In their last three losses, the Suns have squandered a 13-point lead to Dallas, a 21-point lead to San Antonio and a 17-point lead to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It’s really tough to talk right now,” Dragic said. “We lost the most important game of the season.”
The teams were tied 40-40 when Bledsoe sparked a 15-2 burst with two jumpers, a driving layup and a three-pointer to give the Suns a 55-42 advantage. Ellis scored 14 points in the first half but Nowitzki struggled, making 1-of-5 shots and committing two turnovers.
The Suns led 69-56 when Ellis finally got some help from Nowitzki.  Ellis sank a pair of three-pointers, Nowitzki drilled two and Ellis added another to cut the deficit to 74-73. The Mavs took an 88-87 lead when Ellis found Nowitzki for a layup with 6:42 to go.

Atlanta Hawks 98, Miami Heat 85
The host Hawks sealed the Eastern Conference’s final playoff berth - eliminating the New York Knicks - as Jeff Teague scored 25 points. LeBron James scored 27 points and Dwyane Wade returned from a nine-game absence to score 24 for the Heat (54-26), who fell back into a tie with Indiana atop the East.

Clippers 117, Sacramento Kings 101
Blake Griffin scored 27 points as the host Clippers matched last season’s franchise record with their 56th win.

Rockets 111,  Pelicans 104
James Harden totaled 33 points and 13 assists as the host Rockets welcomed back Dwight Howard and scored the game’s last 15 points to hand the Pelicans their eighth consecutive loss.

Wizards 104, Milwaukee Bucks 91
Bradley Beal scored 26 points to lead the host Wizards (42-38), who remained one game ahead of Charlotte for sixth place in the East.

Bobcats 111, Philadelphia 76ers 105
Al Jefferson collected 29 points and 12 rebounds as the host Bobcats won for the sixth time in seven games.

Denver Nuggets 101, Utah Jazz 94
Kenneth Faried had 24 points and 21 rebounds to give the host Nuggets their third straight win.

Celtics 111, Cleveland Cavaliers 99
Rookie Kelly Olynyk had season highs 25 points of 12 boards for the visiting Celtics, who have won two straight following a nine-game skid.