Dallas Mavericks Team Report - January 16

(Basketball News) - Dallas posted a 98-93 win over the New Jersey Nets at American Airlines Center on Saturday night.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Mavs to the win. Nowitzki, who needs just two points to reach 10,000 for his career, was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

For just the second time all season, all five starters for the Mavericks scored in double figures. Jerry Stackhouse finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Michael Finley had 16 points and Jason Terry had 15. Erick Dampier returned to action from a knee injury and scored 10 points while collecting 11 rebounds.

Nowitzki’s double-double was his 18th of the season. Dampier’s was his eighth, and Stackhouse’s was his first as a Maverick.

Nowitzki missed the final five minutes of the second quarter, when he went to the locker room to have a sprained left ankle checked out. He returned after halftime.

Dallas has beaten New Jersey 10 straight times. Mavericks forward Josh Howard missed his third straight game due to an upper respiratory infection. It is unknown when Howard will return to the court.

The Mavericks have the next two days before hosting the streaking Washington Wizards on Tuesday.