Nowitzki expected to be named MVP Tuesday

May 14, 2007, 23:55 GMT

Dallas, TX - The Dallas Mavericks have called a news conference for 12 p.m. (et) Tuesday, when it's expected forward Dirk Nowitzki will be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a league-best 67-15 finish this year, the most victories in franchise history. Despite Dallas losing to Golden State in the first round of the playoffs, the voting to make Nowitzki MVP occurred during the regular season.

NBA commissioner David Stern, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and head coach Avery Johnson will also attend the news conference at American Airlines Center.

In 2006-07 Nowitzki averaged 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and a career-best 3.4 assists while again setting career-highs in three percentages (field-goal, three-point and free throws). Not only that, but the Mavs were dominant when he was at his best. The team went 18-1 when he scored 30-plus points and he had 41 double-doubles.

The 28-year-old Nowitzki finished the season ranked highly in several categories, including 10th in scoring, tied for 11th in rebounding and tied for second in free-throw percentage.

A six-time All-Star selection, Nowitzki finished the 2004-05 and '05-06 seasons third in the MVP voting. He'll become the first Maverick to win the MVP.

Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft and then dealt to Dallas, Nowitzki has averaged 22.3 points in nine seasons, all with the Mavericks.

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