Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points to guide the Dallas Mavericks to a 101-96 win over the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
The German finished the game strongly with 13 points in the fourth quarter, while Jason Terry totalled 30 points as the Mavericks (37-21) rolled to their fifth win in a row.
“We knew they were going to keep coming. Our defense won us the game,” Nowitzki told reporters.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“We made it tough for Kobe [Bryant] down the stretch. With great players you have to make them work for every point,” he said.
Bryant, who drained a game-winning three-pointer on his return from a five-game absence on Tuesday, missed a similar effort that would have tied the contest with 25 seconds remaining.
Bryant also misfired on his first five shots and finished 9-for-23 with 20 points. Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 21.
The victory gave Dallas a 2-2 split in the season series with Los Angeles (43-15).
It was the first matchup between the teams since the Mavericks traded for scoring forward Caron Butler, guard DeShawn Stevenson and center Brendan Haywood, a deal that has propelled the team to a 5-1 stretch.
Butler missed the game because of a negative reaction to medication while Haywood continued his steady play inside with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Dallas were able to beat the Lakers on the glass with a 13-7 advantage in offensive rebounds, a key factor in helping the home team turn a close game into a 95-86 lead with 2:19 left.
Los Angeles responded with an 8-2 run but the Mavs clinched the game with four straight free throws.
“Free throws and offensive rebounds, those are the things that stand out statistically,” Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said. “We would have loved to see Butler out there tonight, but they got it done without him anyway.”
A jumper in the second quarter sent Bryant past Reggie Miller into 13th place on the NBA’s career scoring list.
MAGIC 110, ROCKETS 92
In Houston, Dwight Howard was 11 for 11 from the field and had 30 points and 16 rebounds to help Orlando beat Houston.
Howard scored all of his points in the last three quarters, as he sat out almost the entire first period after committing two quick fouls.
He had his 19th straight double-double to break a tie with Shaquille O’Neal for the franchise record.
Aaron Brooks led Houston with 24 points.
SPURS 95, THUNDER 87
In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 26 points and made a spectacular block on Kevin Durant’s would-be dunk late in the fourth quarter, leading San Antonio over Oklahoma City.
Ginobili’s crucial block in the final minutes helped stop Durant’s streak of scoring 25 points or more at 29 games. Durant had 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs.
TRAIL BLAZERS 101, RAPTORS 87
In Toronto, Andre Miller had 18 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds to lead Portland over Toronto.
Brandon Roy added 20 points for the Trail Blazers.
Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 points for the Raptors who failed to top 100 points for the first time in 21 games — a streak that had extended back to Jan. 6.
BUCKS 115, HORNETS 95
In Milwaukee, Andrew Bogut had 26 points and 13 rebounds to continue his string of dominant performances for Milwaukee, sinking New Orleans.
The Australian had his fourth straight double-double in Milwaukee’s fourth straight win.
The Bucks are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference and back at .500 for the first time since Dec. 12. It’s the first time Milwaukee has been .500 or better after the All-Star break since 2005-06, when they last made the playoffs.
JAZZ 102, BOBCATS 93
In Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 20 of his 33 points in the second half to help Utah defeat Charlotte.
Deron Williams added 20 points and 12 assists for the Jazz, which has won 14 of its past 16 games to move within half a game of Northwest Division-leading Denver.
Gerald Wallace scored 27 points for Charlotte.
SUNS 106, 76ERS 95
In Phoenix, Steve Nash had 20 points and 13 assists in his return to Phoenix’s lineup after missing a game to rest back and abdomen injuries, boosting the Suns to victory over Philadelphia.
Jason Richardson scored 24 points for the Suns, who have won four straight.
Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 20 points.
HAWKS 98, TIMBERWOLVES 92
In Atlanta, Josh Smith scored a season-high 27 points as Atlanta overcame Minnesota.
Joe Johnson had 21 for the Hawks.
Kevin Love had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota.
In other games it was:
• Bulls 120, Pacers 110
• Grizzlies 99, Wizards 94
• Clippers 97, Pistons 91
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