NBA Game Summary - Orlando at Dallas

Dallas, TX (Basketball News) - Dirk Nowitzki delivered 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 114-105 victory over the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center.

Jason Terry posted 18 points and dished out a game-high 13 assists for the Mavericks, who have already clinched a playoff berth and currently sit in the fourth spot in the Western Conference. Jerry Stackhouse added 17 points in the win. Dallas has won five of its last six overall.

DeShawn Stevenson poured in a career-high 29 points for Orlando, which trails Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Jameer Nelson recorded 18 points in the losing effort.

Dallas took control of the game with steady overall play in the first half.

Entering the second quarter with a 30-23 lead, the Mavericks stayed ahead and eventually led by 13 at the break.

After Stackhouse opened the frame with four straight points, Michael Finley added a jumper for a 36-23 advantage. Despite a brief spurt by the visitors, the Mavs fought back and regained control.

Devin Harris’ dunk and Terry’s three-pointer moments later created a 41-33 Dallas advantage.

"I had some open looks, my teammates found me, and I knocked it down," Terry said.

The Mavs led 57-44 after 24 minutes of action.

Both teams put up 39 points in the third quarter, but Dallas still led by double digits in the fourth.

The Magic tried on several occasions to make a run. Francis converted two consecutive layups to cut the deficit to nine, but Nowitzki was too strong from the field, as his three-pointer with just over four minutes left in regulation made it 113-95.

Orlando never seriously threatened again.

"It was a good win for us," Terry added. "We still have some things to prove."