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NBA: Nowitzki stars as Mavs down Knicks

Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller, left, guard John Salmons, center, and San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan look to the officials for a call after a scramble for a loose ball during the second half of their NBA game in Sacramento, California, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Dirk Nowitzki scored seven of his season-high 39 points in overtime and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak with a 124-114 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Josh Howard added season highs of 31 points and 14 rebounds. He had a pair of baskets in the extra session for the Mavericks (3-7), who were off to their worst start in a decade. They trailed for almost all of regulation, then tied it with a furious rally and didn’t allow a field goal in overtime.

Nowitzki made a pair of free throws to open overtime. He followed with a jumper, and after a free throw by Brandon Bass, Nowitzki buried a three-pointer, pumping his fists in the air after giving the Mavericks a 120-112 lead.

Howard followed with his two baskets, part of Dallas’ closing 19-2 run. The Knicks didn’t have a field goal after Richardson’s basket with 2 minutes, 28 seconds remaining in regulation that made it 112-105.

Jason Terry scored 16 of his 20 points after halftime for the Mavs, who avoided their first six-game skid since Feb. 29 to March 9, 2000. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who were 0-for-9 in overtime and lost for the first time this season when scoring more than 100 points.

MAGIC 90, BOBCATS 85

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to lead Orlando to victory.

Mickael Pietrus added 18 points, Rashard Lewis had 17 and Jameer Nelson 15 for Orlando. All-Star center Dwight Howard was shut down by Charlotte’s defense, scoring just four points, and was fouled out for the first time this season.

Gerald Wallace scored 17 points for the Bobcats.

RAPTORS 107, HEAT 96

In Toronto, Chris Bosh scored 27 points and Jermaine O’Neal had 11 points and 18 rebounds as they helped Toronto snap a two-game losing streak.

Dwyane Wade scored 29 points for Miami.

SUNS 104, PISTONS 86

In Phoenix, Arizona, Amare Stoudemire had 29 points and 11 rebounds on his 26th birthday as the Suns overcame Shaquille O’Neal’s second-quarter ejection.

Steve Nash, back from a one-game suspension for his part in a skirmish with several Houston players, added 17 points and seven assists for the Suns, who were already without two players before O’Neal was ejected for a flagrant foul with 5 minutes, 19 seconds left in the first half.

Richard Hamilton scored 19 for the Pistons.

SPURS 90, KINGS 88

In Sacramento, California, Michael Finley scored 21 points and Tim Duncan had 20, including two key baskets in the final minute, for San Antonio.

Duncan’s short jumper tied it with 49 seconds left and his bank shot off a drive put San Antonio ahead for good at 90-88 with 15.5 seconds remaining.

John Salmons had a season-high 31 points for the Kings.

NUGGETS 90, TIMBERWOLVES 84

In Denver, Colorado, Chauncey Billups scored 26 points and J.R. Smith had eight of his 14 points in a decisive fourth-quarter stretch as the Denver Nuggets overcame poor shooting to hand Minnesota their eighth straight loss.

Carmelo Anthony added 14 points and 12 rebounds to help Denver improve to 5-1 since the Nuggets acquired Billups in the trade that sent Allen Iverson to Detroit.

Al Jefferson had 20 points and 14 rebounds and Randy Foye added 18 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves haven’t won since beating Sacramento in their opener.
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