Mavericks 98, Nets 90: Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and eight rebounds and Vince Carter also scored 20 points as visiting Dallas downed Brooklyn.

O.J. Mayo added 17 points as the Mavericks had a 20-point final-quarter lead cut to four before holding on to defeat the Nets for the 20th time in the last 24 meetings.

Deron Williams scored 24 points and Brook Lopez added 19 for the Nets, who have lost six of their last nine home games.

The Mavericks led 90-73 midway through the fourth quarter before Brooklyn went on a 17-4 run to pull within 94-90 on two free throws by Lopez with 37.4 seconds to play. Dallas closed out the game with four free throws, the last two by Carter with 16.9 seconds remaining.

Brooklyn led 49-48 at halftime before Dallas dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Nets 29-14. The Mavericks increased their lead to 83-63 on a 3-pointer by Mike James with 10:03 to play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas had 13 steals, marking the fourth time in seven games the Mavericks have recorded 10 or more. … Brooklyn G Joe Johnson had 11 points after missing the previous three games with a foot injury. … The Nets had a 44-31 rebounding edge.