Dirk Nowitzki’s last-minute heroics lead Mavericks past Clippers

Dirk Nowitzki blocked a shot and then scored with 37 seconds remaining to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Clippers, 107-102, on Tuesday night.

Dallas got started with its highest-scoring quarter of the season and had an 18-point lead before halftime against the Clippers, who had only eight players in uniform because of numerous lingering injuries.

The Clippers’ NBA-worst losing streak is now at eight games.

Dallas needed a game-ending 12-1 run to avoid being upset at home, finally going ahead to stay on Nowitzki’s high-arching 11-footer after he had blocked rookie Eric Gordon’s driving layup attempt at the other end. Nowitzki finished with 34 points.

Gordon, who scored 32 points, had a turnover on the next possession when the ball was knocked from his hands by Jason Kidd -- though the rookie and his coach both thought there was a foul on the play.

The Clippers have gone multiple games without the injured Baron Davis (bruised tailbone), Zach Randolph (left knee), Mike Taylor (right thumb) and Chris Kaman (left knee).

“I’m really proud of our guys, how hard they played and what they did,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “A couple of bounces didn’t go our way, a couple of calls didn’t go our way and the Mavericks pulled one off.”

The Clippers led the Mavericks for the first time since the first two minutes of the game when Mardy Collins made a three-point shot to make it 95-93 with 6:38 left.

Jose Barea then made a three-pointer to put Dallas back in front, but Al Thornton made three consecutive baskets, two layups before his 24-foot jumper put the Clippers up 101-95 with 2:39 left. That was the Clippers’ last field goal.

“We just need to learn how to close games out,” said Thornton, who finished with 25 points.