Dallas Plays It Free and Easy

Don Nelson bellowed a greeting to the 7-foot German soaking his feet in an ice bath.

“Nowitzki is alive and well!” the Dallas coach said. “I haven’t seen him for a while!”

Yes, that was the real Dirk Nowitzki scoring 22 of his 31 points in the second half of the Mavericks’ 111-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday -- and the real Antoine Walker, Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison.

The Mavericks haven’t resembled themselves much this season, but they’re hoping 24 outstanding minutes can help them get their identity back.

After stumbling to a 16-point deficit at halftime, Dallas outscored the short-handed Kings, 67-43 -- and four players combined for 10 three-point baskets that secured the Mavericks’ fifth win in Sacramento in their last six regular-season games.

“It was fun to watch us finally come through,” Nowitzki said.

Dallas ended a four-game losing streak by abandoning any set plays until the final moments of the second half. The Mavericks’ stars were allowed to create their own shots -- and for the first time in weeks, they did it well.

“We didn’t think. We just went out there and played basketball,” said Jamison, who had 22 points in only his second start of the season. “The coaches gave us the freedom, and we’re a talented team that can take advantage of that. It feels so good to finally start playing that way.”

Walker had 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. He made five three-point baskets, including the go-ahead basket with 1:04 left as Dallas scored the game’s final eight points.

Nash had 14 points and 11 assists, and Michael Finley emerged from a rough outing to make a three-point basket with 37 seconds left.

In only their second home loss of the season, the Kings played without suspended All-Star Peja Stojakovic and injured forward Chris Webber.

Against Memphis on Tuesday night, Stojakovic angrily brushed against referee Bernie Fryer, earning the first one-game suspension of his career.

Mike Bibby scored 23 points for the Kings, who dropped to 15-2 at home this season with only their third loss in their last 19 games overall. Brad Miller had 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists before fouling out.