Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, including the opening basket in overtime that put Dallas ahead to stay, and the Mavericks remained unbeaten with a 101-98 victory over winless Golden State on Monday night.
The Warriors, who have lost 12 straight in Dallas since April 1999, had a chance to force another overtime after Nowitzki missed a free throw with 1.8 seconds left.
PHOTO: EPA
Jason Richardson had forced overtime with a 3-pointer from the corner despite being double-teamed with 12 seconds left in regulation. But his 3-pointer from the top of the key to end overtime rattled off the front of the rim.
Michael Finley had 17 points despite shooting just 5-of-22 for the Mavericks, who are 4-0 for only the third time. Josh Howard had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Nowitzki also had 10 rebounds.
Richardson led the Warriors with 25 points and Derek Fisher had 23 -- just six after halftime. Golden State led by 17 in the first half before a miserable third quarter in which it shot 3-of-23.
Jazz 102, Nuggets 91
In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko scored 24 points to help Utah beat Denver and improve to 4-0.
Mehmet Okur had his best game since joining the Jazz with 12 points and nine rebounds, and Raja Bell added 17 points. The Jazz swept the home-and-home series with the Nuggets, who edged Utah for the final playoff spot last season.
Utah has scored at least 100 points in each of its first four games.
Denver fell to 1-3 after struggling from the floor again. The Nuggets shot 42 percent, their best shooting performance of the young season.
Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 17 points and eight rebounds, scoring 12 in the final period as the Nuggets tried to come back after falling behind by 22.
Pistons 99, Clippers 96, 2OT
In Los Angeles, Chauncey Billups scored four of his 20 points on free throws in the final 45 seconds of the second overtime, and Richard Hamilton also scored 20 in Detroit's victory over Los Angeles.
All five Detroit starters scored in double figures for the fourth straight game. Ben Wallace had 15 points and 14 rebounds after learning of the death of his brother, Sam Jr., who died Monday morning in Alabama.
Corey Maggette had 25 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for the Clippers, but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game.
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