Dallas Holds Off New York, Sets New Franchise Mark

Mar 31, 01:15 AM

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Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the New York Knicks, 105-103, at American Airlines Center.

Josh Howard added 20 points, eight rebounds and blocked a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds for Dallas, which set a franchise record for wins in a season by improving to 61-11. The 2002-03 and 2005-06 teams held the previous mark of 60 wins.

Jerry Stackhouse had 19 points and Jason Terry tallied 14 for the Mavs, who have won nine in a row and moved a step closer to clinching the best mark in the Western Conference.

Nowitzki, who was playing despite leaving Dallas' game on Wednesday with a left ankle injury, surpassed 15,000 points for his career. He entered the game with 14,999 points.

Stephon Marbury had 43 points to lead the Knicks, who have lost five of six games. Marbury carried New York down the stretch, but he committed a costly turnover with 17 seconds left and his driving layup with two seconds remaining was blocked by Howard.

The setback drops New York two games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

With the game tied at 98, Nowitzki put the Mavs ahead by two points with a long transition jumper with 1:32 left.

Marbury, though, answered with a three-point play with 1:18 on the clock, giving New York a one-point edge. Thirteen seconds later Nowitzki hit a pair from the free throw line to put Dallas back in the lead, but with 46.7 left Marbury banked home a runner for a 103-102 New York edge.

With 26.5 left Nowitzki was fouled after gathering an offensive rebound and hit both free throws for a 104-103 edge. Marbury then had his pass intended for Renaldo Balkman picked off by Terry, who was fouled and hit 1-of-2 from the line with 17 seconds left.

New York didn't call a time out after inbounding the ball and Marbury found himself with the ball at the top of the key with nine seconds left. He drove to the right and his layup was blocked by Howard with two seconds remaining.

"Those plays were big for us," said Nowitzki."We never really had a great offensive night especially in the second half."

Dallas was able to run out the clock from there.

"He was great tonight," said New York head coach Isiah Thomas of Marbury. "This is the best basketball I've ever seen him play in this league...He did everything that he could possibly do for us."

Nate Robinson ended with 15 points for the Knicks, who have lost seven of their last nine on the road. Eddy Curry added 17 points for New York, which led 29-22 after one quarter and trailed 57-53 at halftime. The game went into the fourth tied at 76.

Game Notes

New York guard Steve Francis missed the game because of a sprained right ankle. Francis is also expected to miss Saturday's game against New Orleans...New York fell to 12-23 on the road...Dallas improved to 33-4 at home.

03/31 01:01:21 ET