Mavericks beat Cavaliers despite Dirk Nowitzki’s absence

Tim Thomas took Dirk Nowitzki’s spot in the starting lineup and scored 22 points, helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-95, Sunday night to spoil LeBron James’ 500th career game.

The Cavaliers, who had won five straight, pulled to within 84-83 midway through the fourth quarter, but Dallas answered with a 12-4 spurt.

Nowitzki didn’t play two days after a collision with Houston’s Carl Landry, who lost five teeth, two of which were embedded in Nowitzki’s right elbow, necessitating several stitches.

-- associated press