Mavericks stop Magic show

DALLAS: Steve Nash notched 28 points and dished out 11 assists to pace the Dallas Mavericks to a 108-90 rout of the Orlando Magic.

The Canadian-born Nash was especially dangerous from 3-point range on Saturday night, making six of his 10 attempts. Dirk Nowitzki went him one better with 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting. The Mavericks raced to an early 19-point lead with Magic star Tracy McGrady, the NBA’s leading scorer, watching from the bench with a strained muscle in the rib area. McGrady decided to give it a go, but could do little to turn the game around, finishing with a mere 12 points in 25 minutes on the floor. Gordan Giricek had 18 points to head the Magic, who hold down seventh spot in the East.

In ATLANTA: Jason Terry poured in 23 points as the Atlanta Hawks, with all starters in double figures, defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 97-91. Pau Gasol topped Memphis scorers with 25 points, with backup Earl Watson adding 17.

In CLEVELAND: Ricky Davis counted a mere 17 points as the Cavaliers notched their 15th victory of the season, edging the New Orleans Hornets 79-76. Jamal Mashburn paced the playoff-bound Hornets with 23 points, with Jamaal Magloire adding 15 and grabbing 12 boards.

In CHICAGO: Jalen Rose poured in 31 points as the Chicago Bulls played spoiler in a 117-115 overtime win over the playoff-hopeful Milwaukee Bucks. Team mate Donyell Marshall added 19 points and 13 rebounds. Three Bucks topped 20 points, with Gary Payton best of the bunch with 24 to go with his 10 assists. The Bucks (38-40) had their lead over Washington in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference sliced to 2 1/2 games. They need any combination of three wins or Wizards’ losses to clinch that position.

In PHOENIX: Shawn Marion had 25 points and Stephon Marbury 23 to help the playoff-hungry Suns to a lopsided 111-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bo Outlaw added 19 points and 15 boards for the Suns, who now lead the idle Houston Rockets by 1 1/2 games for the last playoff spot in the West. Kevin Garnett paced the T-Wolves with 25 points and 17 rebounds, with team mate Wally Szczerbiak notching 23 points.  In Los Angeles, former first overall draft pick Elton Brand counted 29 points as the Clippers outlasted the New York Knicks 109-98. Latrell Sprewell topped Knick scorers with the same 29 points.