Nowitzki (right) made a pair of free throws to open overtime. -- PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK - DIRK Nowitzki scored seven of his season-high 39 points in overtime and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak with a 124-114 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Josh Howard added season highs of 31 points and 14 rebounds. He had a pair of baskets in the extra session for the Mavericks (3-7), who were off to their worst start in a decade.
They trailed for almost all of regulation, then tied it with a furious rally and didn't allow a field goal in overtime.
Nowitzki made a pair of free throws to open overtime. He followed with a jumper, and after a free throw by Brandon Bass, Nowitzki buried a 3-pointer, pumping his fists in the air after giving the Mavericks a 120-112 lead.
Howard followed with his two baskets, part of Dallas' closing 19-2 run. The Knicks didn't have a field goal after Richardson's basket with 2:28 remaining in regulation that made it 112-105.
Jason Terry scored 16 of his 20 points after halftime for the Mavs, who avoided their first six-game skid since Feb 29-Mar 9, 2000.
Zach Randolph had 27 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who were 0-for-9 in overtime and lost for the first time this season when scoring 100 points.
Magic 90, Bobcats 85= At Charlotte, North Carolina, Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to lead Orlando.
Mickael Pietrus added 18 points, Rashard Lewis had 17 and Jameer Nelson 15 for Orlando. All-Star centre Dwight Howard was shut down by Charlotte's defence, scoring just four points, and fouled out for the first time this season.
Gerald Wallace scored 17 points for the Bobcats.
Raptors 107, Heat 96= At Toronto, Chris Bosh scored 27 points, and Jermaine O'Neal had 11 points and 18 rebounds to help Toronto snap a two-game losing streak.
