A GAME AWAY FROM FIRST NBA TITLE. Dirk Nowitzki (right) and Tyson Chandler (left) of the Dallas Mavericks react during game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2011 (June 10, Manila time) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Dallas defeated Miami 112-103. AFP
DALLAS — (UPDATE) Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points and Jason Terry had 21 points to lead Dallas to a 112-103 win over Miami on Thursday that put the Mavericks on the brink of their first NBA title in franchise history.
Tyson Chandler finished with 13 points and seven rebounds for Dallas, who shot 56.5 percent from the field to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
The Mavericks need one more win for their first NBA title in their 31-year franchise history, but will have to win at least one game in Miami.
Of the 26 times the finals have been tied 2-2, the winner of game five has gone on to win the series 19 times.
This year’s final is a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals, which Miami took in six games for their first title in franchise history.
Game six is on Sunday in Miami.
Miami star Dwyane Wade was forced to play through an injury but finished with a team high 23 points.
LeBron James had 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Miami who dominated much of the first three games of the series before dropping the last two in stunning fashion.