Basketball: Mavs advance to NBA finals

The Dallas Mavericks advanced to the NBA finals today after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 in game five to win the Western Conference finals 4-1.

The Thunder led for most of the game but yet again the home side made a late run to steal victory in the closing stages.

Shawn Marion (26 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (26) led the Mavericks in scoring while Russell Westbrook scored 31 in a losing cause.

The Mavericks will make their second appearance in the NBA finals. in 2006 they lost to the Heat in six games.

The Mavericks will play either the Heat or Chicago Bulls in the final series. The Heat lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-1.

- HERALD ONLINE