Mavericks Suddenly Lose Their High-Scoring Ways

Even with all of their offensive options, the Dallas Mavericks struggled to score at Toronto.

Vince Carter had 19 points and the Raptors beat the Mavericks, 77-71, Thursday night, Dallas’ lowest-scoring game in nearly six years.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 27 points but had only four in the second half. It was the fewest points the Mavericks have scored in a game since they were held to 67 in a loss to the New York Knicks on Dec. 22, 1997. The Mavericks came into Thursday averaging 101.6 points.

“If you had told me we’d hold them to 77 points and we’d lose, I would have said you’re crazy,” Nowitzki said.

“Seventy-one points with our high-powered offense is bad. It shows there is no rhythm to our offense, there is no flow. We’re not shooting the ball well. We’re just struggling.”

Antoine Walker had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Dallas but also committed nine turnovers.

Dallas was without point guard Steve Nash, who sat out because of a strained left shoulder, suffered in Wednesday’s loss at Washington.

Indiana 87, New Jersey 81 -- Former Net Anthony Johnson held off a late rally by his old team with two three-pointers at East Rutherford, N.J., to lead the Pacers to their third consecutive victory.

Ron Artest had 21 points, Johnson added 17 and Jermaine O’Neal had 15 for the Pacers, who saw a 19-point third-quarter lead shrink to two points with just under three minutes left.

Kerry Kittles had 23 points and nine rebounds to lead the Nets.

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Former UCLA and Laker center Jelani McCoy was released by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had signed him in training camp.