Mavericks 107, Clippers 96
Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the host Dallas Mavericks recovered from an early deficit for a much-needed 107-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Corey Brewer added 20 points, four assists and four steals and Shawn Marion added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas (54-25), which had lost four straight and nine of 17.
J.J. Barea added 15 points off the bench as Dallas won its 10th straight against the Clippers to remain one game ahead of Oklahoma City for third in the West.
Mo Williams had 29 points and Blake Griffin 23, nine rebounds and six assists for the Clippers (31-49).
Williams and Griffin scored 11 each as the Clippers jumped out to a 35-19 lead after 12 minutes. The Mavericks got within seven at the half and Nowitzki scored six during a 14-0 run that gave Dallas a 63-56 lead with 5:54 left in the third.
Dallas pushed the margin to 12, but the Clippers closed within two at 77-75 entering the fourth when Williams led a 13-3 run with nine points, including six in the final 30 seconds.
Dallas sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic got hot in the fourth with a pair of 3-ponters and two jumpers and helped with a 9-0 run, which Nowitzki capped with a 3-pointer that gave the Mavs a 98-88 lead with 3:24 to play.
Center Tyson Chandler, who missed the last two games with a back injury, returned for the Mavericks, but point guard Jason Kidd sat for a second consecutive game to rest for the postseason.