NBA: Dallas 80, Houston 77

Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and eight rebounds Thursday night as the Dallas Mavericks rallied to edge the Houston Rockets, 80-77.

Houston had a 23-21 lead after the first quarter, and expanded its advantage to seven points, 45-38, at the half. Dallas went ahead, 58-57, after three quarters by out-scoring Houston, 20-12, in the third.

Jerry Stackhouse had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists; and Josh Howard added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who head into the all-star break with a nine-game winning streak. Dallas is 17-1 in its last 18 games.

Tracy McGrady led Houston with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Juwan Howard had 14 points and three rebounds, while Shane Battier added 11 points and two steals for the Rockets, who had a modest two-game winning streak snapped.

Houston had a chance to win the game but Luther Head missed a jumper in the closing moments and the Mavericks' Jason Terry followed with two free throws.

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