Dallas spank Jazz in NBA

DALLAS: Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points as the NBA’s best team, the Dallas Mavericks, won their fourth straight game in convincing fashion, crushing the Utah Jazz 101-77 in NBA action on Saturday night. Adrian Griffin added 16 points for Dallas (48-14), as the Mavericks improved to 27-5 at home while opening up a five-game lead atop the Midwest Division standings.

In HOUSTON:  Cuttino Mobley had 18 points to lead the Rockets past the New Jersey Nets 83-71. Steve Francis added 17 points for Houston, now 32-30. Yao Ming had 12 points and 10 rebounds. New Jersey have lost four straight and seven of their last eight games.

In ATLANTA:  Vince Carter scored a season-high 43 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the Hawks 107-98. Voshon Lenard added 23 points for the Raptors, while Antonio Davis chipped in 13. In CLEVELAND: Pau Gasol scored 27 points as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the stumbling Cavaliers 115-89. Mike Miller added 21 points for the Grizzlies.

In MIAMI: Rookie Junior Harrington scored a career-high 19 points as the Denver Nuggets ended a 14-game losing streak, downing the Heat 98-92. Nene Hilario added 16 points for Denver, which also snapped a 16-game road losing streak.

In CHICAGO: Corey Maggette scored 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers past the Bulls 103-97. Quentin Richardson added 21 points for the Clippers, who ended a season-high eight-game losing streak. Jalen Rose had 30 points for Chicago.

In MILWAUKEE: Sam Cassell sank five free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal the Bucks 138-133 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. Gary Payton scored 28 points for the Bucks, including a three-pointer that sent the game into overtime with 3.4 seconds left to play. Cassell finished with 28 points and had 13 assists as the Bucks rallied from a 16-point deficit with less than 10 minutes to play in regulation.

In PORTLAND: Rasheed Wallace had 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers past the Indiana Pacers 94-80.