Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit for a crucial 105-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA on Sunday. Josh Howard added 24 for the Mavericks, who used a smothering defense in a 16-0 run that put them ahead for good in a game the Suns had led nearly throughout. Phoenix went scoreless for just under 8 minutes, missing 12 shots in the process. Nowitzki scored 12 in the fourth quarter, when Dallas outscored Phoenix 27-9. Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and Steve Nash 14 points and 10 assists for the Suns. Hornets 108, Warriors 96: At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 16 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and New Orleans tied a franchise record for single-season victories with its 54th. It was the fourth career triple double for Paul, and the Hornets won their 11th straight home game and fourth straight overall. Peja Stojakovic and David West each scored 25 points, helping New Orleans close the game on an 18-6 run after Golden State had rallied to tie the game at 90 early in the fourth quarter. Pistons 91, Heat 75: At Miami, Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points and Detroit wrapped up the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs with their fifth straight win. Earl Barron scored 20 points for Miami, which lost its seventh straight. Spurs 72, Trail Blazers 65: At Portland, Oregon, Tim Duncan had 27 points and 11 rebounds and San Antonio won its 12th straight against Portland. Manu Ginobili's dunk with 1:31 left all but sealed it for the Spurs, who handed the Blazers their fifth consecutive loss. All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who returned after a four-game absence because of a groin injury, led the Blazers with 18 points. LaMarcus Aldridge added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Pacers 105, Bucks 97: At Indianapolis, Travis Diener scored 15 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Indiana beat Milwaukee to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Grizzlies 113, Timberwolves 101: At Minneapolis, Mike Miller scored 34 points and hit a season-high eight 3-pointers to help Memphis hand Minnesota its fourth straight loss. In other games it was: Knicks 100, Magic 90; Lakers 114, Kings 92; Rockets 105, Clippers 79; SuperSonics 151, Nuggets 147, 2OT. __
