Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 35 points in the final 5 minutes -- including a three-point play with 17.9 seconds -- to lift the Dallas Mavericks past the Denver Nuggets 95-93 on Sunday.
The start of Nowitzki's late rally gave the Mavericks a five-point lead, but the Nuggets tied it at 91 on a 3-pointer by Earl Boykins with 1:03 left. A dunk by Kenyon Martin gave the Nuggets the lead with 27.5 seconds left.
In between, Nowitzki appeared to have put Dallas back ahead with a layup but was called for charging into Denver's Francisco Elson, who was forced into action after starting center Marcus Camby sprained his left ankle in the first quarter. Nowitzki went back at Elson after Martin's basket, hitting the tying layup and getting the foul call.
Martin, who grew up in Dallas, led Denver with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Andre Miller had 16 points and 10 assists and Carmelo Anthony, who missed the previous game with a sprained right ankle, had 14 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes.
Elson had 10 points and seven rebounds and Boykins had 11 points and six assists.
Raptors 103, Bobcats 92
In Toronto, Jalen Rose scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Toronto Raptors beat the Charlotte Bobcats.
Rose had 12 points during Toronto's pivotal 19-4 run in the fourth quarter. The Raptors outscored the Bobcats 26-12 in the final period.
Morris Peterson added 26 points and Chris Bosh had 21 for the Raptors, who have won five straight at home.
Primoz Brezec had 19 points and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds for the Bobcats, who have lost eight straight.
Rose has played better since being removed from the Raptors' starting lineup 15 games ago. The disgruntled forward, who is rumored to be on the trading block, went 8-of-15 from the field.
Eric Williams, Toronto's new starting small forward, went 1-of-6 from the field for just two points.
Bucks 101, Knicks 96
In New York, Desmond Mason scored 22 points to lead six Milwaukee players in double figures, and the Bucks held off the free-falling Knicks, spoiling the debut of New York coach Herb Williams in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference's worst teams.
It was the 10th loss in 11 games for New York, and came one day after Lenny Wilkens stepped down as coach. Williams, an assistant under Wilkens, assumed the job for the rest of the season. But on Sunday, at least, it was the same disappointing result for the Knicks.
Stephon Marbury had 33 points to lead New York, and Jamal Crawford added 20.
Heat 97, Hornets 68
In Miami, Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists, and the Miami Heat built a 25-point first-quarter lead on the way to an easy victory over New Orleans.
Damon Jones had 13 points and five assists, and Shaquille O'Neal added 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat (30-12), who won for the third time in seven games and improved to 9-9 against teams from the West.
Dan Dickau had 16 points for the Hornets, whose NBA-worst record fell to 7-33.
Nate Robinson scored 13 points and the 10th-ranked Washington Huskies moved into a tie for the Pac-10 lead with a 66-48 victory over Washington State Sunday.
Jamaal Williams and Joel Smith each added 10 points for the Huskies (16-2, 6-1 Pac-10), who won their 18th straight at home. The Huskies are tied for the conference lead with Arizona, which won Saturday.
Thomas Kelati had 12 points to lead Washington State (8-8, 3-4).
The Huskies shot 36 percent from the field and 3-for-13 from three-point range for the game.
Washington beat Washington State for the 11th straight time at home.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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