Nowitzki Responds During Crunch Time

Dirk Nowitzki made four free throws in the final 6.9 seconds and finished with 34 points, helping the Mavericks hold off a late surge by the Utah Jazz for a 106-103 victory Saturday at Dallas.

Dallas, winners of six of the last seven and 16 of 19 since losing in Utah on Dec. 10, led by as many as 18 points.

Steve Nash had 23 points and had nine assists for the Mavericks.

Karl Malone scored 22 of his 28 points in the second half for Utah. John Stockton had a season-high 24 points and nine assists, and Scott Padgett tied his career best with 17 points.

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Detroit 94, Boston 91--Jerry Stackhouse scored 28 points and Chucky Atkins made an 18-foot jumper with 3.1 seconds left to lead the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit rallied from a 17-point deficit in the final 11 minutes for its second victory in as many nights.

Antoine Walker led Boston with 28 points. Paul Pierce added 23 points.

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New Jersey 99, Houston 90--Keith Van Horn scored 22 points at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Nets won for the seventh time in eight games.

Kerry Kittles scored 21 points and Jason Kidd made four baskets down the stretch for the Nets. Kidd finished with 10 points and 10 assists.

Moochie Norris had 23 points and Kenny Thomas 21 for the Rockets.

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Toronto 91, Charlotte 89--Vince Carter scored 34 points and Alvin Williams made two free throws with six seconds to play, leading the Raptors to their first victory at Charlotte, N.C., since 1997.

Antonio Davis scored 13 points for the Raptors, who have won four in a row.

Elden Campbell had 22 points for Charlotte and Baron Davis had 18.

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Milwaukee 116, Atlanta 107--Ray Allen scored 31 points at Atlanta and the Bucks extended their winning streak to a season-high seven games.

Sam Cassell, Jason Caffey and Anthony Mason each scored 17 points for the Bucks, who handed the Hawks their sixth consecutive loss.

Jason Terry led Atlanta with 24 points, and Nazr Mohammed had his third consecutive double-double with 22 points and a season-high 19 rebounds.

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Miami 100, Indiana 88--Eddie Jones scored 23 points and the Heat shot a season-high 54% percent at Miami to win its fourth in a row, a season high.

Brian Grant had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Miami.

Jalen Rose scored 21 points for the Pacers and Reggie Miller had 14, all in the second half.

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Orlando 119, Memphis 103--Tracy McGrady had 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists at Memphis, and the Magic dealt the Grizzlies their consecuive loss.

Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Will Solomon scored a 23 points, a career high.

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Seattle 104, Denver 77--Gary Payton had 25 points and 12 assists, and the SuperSonics handed the Nuggets their 13th consecutive road loss.

Nick Van Exel scored 24 of his 28 points in the first half for the Nuggets.

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Minnesota 105, Golden State 102--Terrell Brandon made four free throws in the final 20 seconds, and Kevin Garnett scored 21 points for Minnesota at Oakland.

Chauncey Billups had 21 points and Wally Szczerbiak had 20 for the Timberwolves.