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Mavs complete sweep of Suns

Apr 11, 2011 - 4:20 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki finished with 19 points to pace five Dallas players in double figures as the Mavericks handled the Phoenix Suns, 115-90.

Shawn Marion scored 18 with 11 rebounds while both Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic scored 17 in reserve roles for Dallas, which has won consecutive games on the heels of a four-game skid and completed a season sweep of the Suns.

"We got over the four game losing streak," Terry said. "We're past it and the playoffs are approaching fast so every moment is going to be intense especially out there on the floor.

The Mavericks currently hold the third seed in the Western Conference and are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to their loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday. The Lakers hold the second seed thanks to winning the Pacific Division. The Thunder currently hold the fourth seed and are one game back of Dallas.

Marcin Gortat paced the Suns with 15 points and nine rebounds. Jared Dudley and Hakim Warrick both finished with 11 points as Phoenix fell for the fourth time in five games.

"Well, we got off to a bad start and we were never in the game," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "(Dallas) shot the ball well and we couldn't come up with baskets and couldn't come up with shots. That's what the game was."

The Mavericks shot over 50 percent from the field for the game and never trailed.

Dallas held the Suns to just 17 points in the first quarter and held a dominating 16-6 rebounding margin in the opening stanza. Marion and Nowitzki both second eight points as the Mavericks held a 36-17 lead after one.

The Suns fought back in the second but Dallas still shot 52 percent from the field and took a 65-39 lead into the break.

The Suns cut their margin to 20, 80-60, entering the final stanza but were unable to put it to lower then 17 throughout the duration.

Game Notes

J.J. Barea scored 15 with six assists in a reserve role for Dallas...Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood helped Dallas control the glass, grabbing 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively, in the win...The Mavericks held a 51-37 rebounding advantage...Steve Nash finished with six points and nine assists for Phoenix...The Suns will finish their season with visits from Minnesota and the playoff-bound Spurs...Dallas will visit Houston on Monday before hosting the Hornets to close out the season.