The Western Conference finals get started tonight when Dallas (68-25 straight up, 47-41 against the spread) takes on Phoenix in Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. Most sports books are listing the Mavericks as six-point favorites with a hefty total of 221. Gamblers can back the Suns to win outright for a plus 220 payout.

Dallas is heavily favored at minus 300 for the series price. Phoenix is plus 220 on the comeback.

After almost squandering a 3-1 lead in the series and a 20-point cushion in Game 7, Avery Johnson's team finally disposed of the defending champs in overtime. Johnson should thank Dirk Nowitzki, whose Herculean effort lifted the Mavs to a 119-111 win at San Antonio.

Nowitzki got all the buckets at crunch time, including a three-point play the hard way that forced the extra session. Then in OT, Nowitzki left no doubt about who would advance, scoring repeatedly on strong drives to the basket against one of the league's premier defenders, Bruce Bowen.

Nowitzki finished with 37 points and 15 rebounds. In the process, the German product demonstrated his ability to now use his strength to score points, instead of depending on his jumper too much. Fair or unfair, the propensity to settle for perimeter jumpers had caused Nowitzki to be tabbed as 'soft,' but that label was kicked to the curb after Monday's performance.

Jason Terry added 27 points but his best contribution was a sick no-look pass in overtime, when he hit a cutting DeSagana Diop for an easy dunk. Speaking of Diop, he played well in the extra session, especially at the defensive end against Tim Duncan. He sustained a broken nose at some point in Game 7 and will wear a mask against the Suns.

Jerry Stackhouse was also huge for the Mavs in overtime, knocking down several clutch baskets on mid-range jumpers off the dribble. Stackhouse finished with 13 points and six assists, while Josh Howard scored 18 points before fouling out.

Phoenix (62-34 SU, 52-42 ATS) has now won four win-or-go-home games, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the first round against the Lakers before beating the Clippers in Game 7, 127-107. The Suns easily covered the spread as four-point favorites, while the 234 combined points hurdled 'over' the 216-point total.

Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni played only seven players, but each one scored in double figures. Steve Nash was undoubtedly sparked by the three-day break between Games 6 and 7. With fresh legs, the league MVP was back to his old tricks, torching the Clippers with 29 points and 11 assists.

Shawn Marion paced the Suns with a team-high 30 points and nine rebounds. Leandro Barbosa was sensational off the bench, sparking his team with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field. Tim Thomas finished with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Phoenix could get a lift from the expected return of Kurt Thomas, who has missed the last 43 games. Thomas is a savvy veteran who plays solid defense, can rebound and shoot a good percentage from 12-15 feet out. His presence should ease some of the pressure on Tim Thomas and Shawn Marion at the defensive end.

TNT will provide television coverage.