Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2006 when they lost to Wade and the Miami Heat after winning the first two games of the series.

After the Mavs captured the Western Conference title on Wednesday, Nowitzki raised the trophy before retreating to the locker room while the rest of his teammates were still on the court.

"Obviously Dirk is very driven by that," Wade said. "I noticed watching the game he didn't even celebrate very long. He was the first one off to the locker room. He's very focused.

"He has a goal in mind and he wants to reach it. The Miami Heat are always going to come up. He knows it. And that's why he says he needs to get back there and try to erase that."