NBA: Dallas overcomes McGrady’s 45, beats Houston

Dirk Nowitzki and Devean George each sparked crucial rallies with consecutive 3-pointers, helping the Dallas Mavericks overcome 45 points by Tracy McGrady in a 109-96 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night in Dallas.

McGrady scored 21 points in the first quarter and had 29 at halftime. He made a 3-pointer that put Houston up 65-52 midway through the third quarter, but it didn’t last.

George answered with a pair of 3-pointers, sparking a 15-2 run that let Dallas tie it. A few minutes later, Nowitzki powered a 20-4 run that he finished off with back-to-back 3s, celebrating each with gusto.

Nowitzki, who was named the conference player of the week earlier in the day, had 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Josh Howard added 28 points and George scored 14 with six assists. Jerry Stackhouse scored 13.

McGrady topped his season high a few minutes into the third quarter, but by then the Mavericks were mixing up his defenders and sending different guys at him on double teams. He wound up heading for the bench with 2:14 left and went to the locker room with more than a minute to play.

Hornets 84, Magic 78 (OT): At Oklahoma City, Jannero Pargo scored a season-high 25 points and New Orleans held Orlando to one basket in overtime to win in a matchup of two cold-shooting teams.

Desmond Mason scored 21 points, and Rasual Butler had 19 points and tied his career high with 11 rebounds as the Hornets won their third straight.

Dwight Howard had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic, who lost their third in a row. They were held to a season low in points and shot just 35 percent. New Orleans wasn’t much better, hitting a paltry 37.5 percent.

Orlando’s only basket in overtime was a 3-pointer by Keyon Dooling in the final 10 seconds.

Webber joins Pistons

Chris Webber signed a prorated contract with the Detroit Pistons for the veteran’s minimum in the hopes of adding a championship to his NBA resume.

The five-time All-Star, who grew up in Detroit and played at Michigan, became a free agent after Philadelphia cut ties with him by buying out the final 1 1/2 years of his contract last week.

Webber will make about $650,000 to play the rest of the season with an Eastern Conference power. He agreed to give the 76ers $2 million this season and $2 million next season when he was due to make about $43 million over the two years.

“Phoenix center Kurt Thomas will be sidelined four to six weeks with an elbow injury, the team said.