Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, clinching the series for the Mavs with one huge three, as usual, in the fourth quarter, putting the Mavericks over the Thunder once again after a big deficit. Nowitzki averaged 32.2 points in the series and in general, is having an amazing playoff run, taking the Mavs to the NBA finals for the second time and the first since 2006.

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April 16, 89-81 win over Portland in Game of the first round series – Dirk Nowitzki showed once again how cool he is from the line when a game is on the line. He made 13-13 from the line in the fourth quarter against the Blazers, tying an NBA Playoff record for free throws made in one quarter, the first since Michael Jordan in 1991 who made 13 against the Pistons.

First Two Games against Lakers – Nowitzki wasn’t out of this world during the first two games against the Lakers – averaging 26 points and 10.5 rebounds in those two games. Still, the Mavs’ first half of their sweep began with them becoming the first team since the Blazers in 1977 to win the first two games of a playoff series in LA. If you remember, those Blazers won the NBA title.

May 17, 121-112 win over the Thunder in Game 1 – The big one. Nowitzki dropped 48 points while shooting 12-15 from the field and 24-24 from the line. Those 24 made free throws from the line were a record for FT made without a miss in a playoff game. It was also the highest amount of FT’s made in any playoff game (regulation), beating Michael Jordan’s record of 23 from 1989. His 12-15 from the field? His 48 points were the highest for a player while shooting at least 80% from the field. No other player has scored that many points in a playoff game without attempting at least 22 shots. Last one was Bob Cousy in 1953.

May 23, 112-105 win in Game 4 over the Thunder – Nowitzki drops 40 on the Thunder, shooting 12-20 from the field. He is the first player to have two 40 point games in a playoff series while shooting at least 60% from the field in them since Shaquille O’Neal in the 2000 NBA finals against the Pacers. He to won the NBA title that year.