Nowitzki, Mavericks Prove Too Much for Reeling Knicks

Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 36 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 99–89 victory over the Knicks last night

Josh Howard, who scored a career-high 47 points Saturday in a victory over Utah, added 22 to help the Mavericks beat the Knicks for the 11th time in 12 meetings. Reserve Jerry Stackhouse added 13 points for Dallas, which shot 54 percent from the field.

Zach Randolph scored 24 points, all in the second half, and grabbed 11 rebounds, but the Knicks lost their third straight. Jamal Crawford had 19 points and Fred Jones 16, helping New York cut a 23-point deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.

Thomas opened his pregame news conference with a statement reaffirming his innocence, but supporting MSG's desire to settle. He wouldn't take any questions about the matter.

Thomas heard his normal boos, but the fans seemed to focus more of their anger toward center Eddy Curry, who was 3-of-13 from the field and scored six points in another ineffective performance.

Howard had supplanted Nowitzki, the reigning MVP, as the Mavs' leading scorer, but the big German was clearly the first option yesterday. He was 14-of-23 from the field, throwing up an airball on his final attempt. But the Mavs were up 14 by then, safely on their way to a second straight victory following consecutive losses. The Knicks were without starting point guard Stephon Marbury, still emotional after the death of his father. Marbury was ineffective trying to play in two games since, and the Knicks have said he can have as much time as he needs.

Dallas led by 13 points at halftime, then quickly blew open the game when Nowitzki scored nine points in the first 3:05 of the third quarter. His two free throws made it 60–40, and the lead grew to 71–48 when he converted a three-point play midway through the period. Nowitzki scored 15 points in the third to help the Mavs carry a 79–63 cushion into the fourth.

Randolph tried to lead the Knicks back, cutting it to 90-83 with a bucket with 4:09 to go. Terry answered with a jumper and Howard scored to push the lead back into double digits.

Nowitzki was 7-of-10 in the first quarter, when the Mavericks shot 63% and led by as much as 14 before settling for a 28–19 lead. The Knicks got within five points early in the second, but Howard hit a jumper and Terry scored five straight to make it 35–23, and the Mavs led by double digits the rest of the quarter, leading 49–36 at halftime.

Curry and Randolph, who combined for eight points Saturday against Philadelphia, managed just two in the first half Monday. Randolph was 0-for-6 and Curry 1-for-7.