WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks won the pivotal third game of the Western Conference finals with a 95-88 win over the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center in Phoenix.

Josh Howard scored 22 points and got 12 rebounds. Jason Terry dropped in 19 points for the Mavericks, who led the finals 2-1.

Steve Nash paced the Suns with 21 points and seven assists, while Boris Diaw scored 20 points, but just six in the second half, where the Sun only scored 36 points.

Leandro Barbosa chipped in 17 points in place of the injured Raja Bell, and Tim Thomas added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix, which scored only four fast break points, a big reason for the loss.

Game 4 will take place in Phoenix on Tuesday. Enditem