Surging Mavericks sink the Clippers

Dirk Nowitzki had three straight baskets and a steal in a little more than a minute, then made a game-saving block with 6.9 seconds to go as the Dallas Mavericks held off the Los Angeles Clippers 93-91 Tuesday night in Dallas.

The Mavericks (42-11), already with the best record in the Western Conference, matched a franchise record by winning their 12th straight home game. They have won 16 of 17 overall.

Dallas didn’t make another field goal after Nowitzki’s last basket with 6 minutes left, missing its final nine shots. The Mavericks led by only a point when Nowitzki blocked Sam Casell’s shot.

Los Angeles lost its fourth straight game.

Josh Howard led the Mavericks with 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting, and Nowitzki had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Brand led the Clippers with 20 points, Cuttino Mobley had 18 and Cassell 17. Chris Kaman had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Celtics 103, Jazz 83: At Salt Lake City, Paul Pierce scored 30 points and Delonte West added 22 to lead Boston past Utah.

The Celtics missed only one shot in the third quarter and swept the Jazz for the second straight season.

Nuggets 100, Bobcats 84: At Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and Greg Buckner added 19 points to lead the Nuggets over Charlotte.

Denver handed the Bobcats their league-worst 23rd loss on the road.

Nets 89, Bucks 85: At Milwaukee, Vince Carter scored 45 points, including New Jersey’s final 14 to lead a late comeback, and Jason Kidd had a triple-double in a victory over the Bucks.

Kidd finished with 12 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for his 71st career triple-double and third this season.

Pacers 97, Hornets 75: At Indianapolis, rookie Danny Granger scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Indiana over New Orleans for its sixth victory in seven games.

Wizards 90, Timberwolves 78: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas had 34 points to lead the Wizards past Minnesota.

Pistons 97, Hawks 87: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Chauncey Billups had 19 points and 15 assists to lead Detroit over Atlanta.

Cavaliers 105, Magic 92: At Cleveland, LeBron James rebounded from a poor-shooting first half and finished with 26 points to lead the Cavaliers past Orlando.

Grizzlies 94, Raptors 88: At Memphis, Tenn., Eddie Jones scored five points in the final 42 seconds to carry the Grizzlies to a win over Toronto.

Kings 102, Warriors 77: At Sacramento, Calif., Brad Miller scored 17 points to lead the Kings over Golden State.

Lakers 99, Trail Blazers 82: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 27 and Lamar Odom added 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Lakers past Portland.