Mavericks 100, Magic 98
MAVERICKS 100, MAGIC 98: Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points and buried the winning basket with 5.9 seconds to play as Dallas extended its dominance in Orlando.
Jason Terry scored 10 of his 17 points in the final quarter to help rally the Mavericks, who beat the Magic for the six straight time in Orlando.
Shawn Marion and Delonte West added 15 points each as Dallas moved one game ahead of Memphis for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Jameer Nelson scored 24 points and Ryan Anderson had 21 for the Magic, who led by as many at 15 points late in the third quarter. Dwight Howard added 19 points and 15 rebounds.
After Terry scored 10 straight points to pull Dallas even at 89 with 6 1/2 minutes to play, West scored five in a row to give the Mavericks their first lead since the first quarter at 98-97 with 70 seconds left.
Nelson hit a tying free throw to set up Nowitzki's fadeaway jumper with 5.9 seconds to go.
Orlando appeared on the verge of a blowout when Nelson scored six straight points to cap a 12-2 spurt for a 77-62 lead with 2 1/2 minutes left in the third, but the Mavericks used a late burst to get within 78-71 entering the fourth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The road team had won the seven previous meetings prior to Friday's matchup. ... Mavericks C Brendan Haywood returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a knee injury. ... Howard had his 13th double-double in 16 games this month.