Nowitzki scores 23, leads Mavericks over Nets 111-104

NEW YORK (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki kept Dallas ahead with his consistent play, and J.J. Barea put away the Mavericks’ win with a burst at the end.

Nowitzki had 23 points and nine rebounds, Barea scored 20 and the Mavericks beat the Brooklyn Nets 111-104 Sunday.

The Mavericks led 94-92 with more than five minutes left before Barea scored nine straight Dallas points.

“Big shots,” Nowitzki said. “That’s what he does, pick-and-roll. They came off there and he made a couple from mid-range. He kind of iced it for us there and he’s made big plays for this franchise for a long time.”

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Said coach Rick Carlisle: “That was a key part of the game.”

“I thought Dirk played a great game. His scoring and shooting was tremendous,” he said.

Harrison Barnes added 19 points for the Mavericks. After Barea’s surge, Barnes’ two layups made it 107-101 with 26.5 seconds remaining.

Brook Lopez scored 27 points and Spencer Dinwiddie had 18 for the Nets. Randy Foye and Quincy Acy each had 11.

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Barnes scored 15 points in helping the Mavs take a 57-43 lead at halftime. Lopez scored 12 in the third quarter, and Brooklyn trailed 82-72 heading into the fourth.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Carlisle discussed Yogi Ferrell’s impact since signing with Dallas. “We were all banged up. We had a lot of guys out. We desperately needed a guy that could play the position and hold the fort. I wasn’t sure he was going to be a starter right away, but the way we were structured at the time it seemed like the best way to go. He started the first game, did a lot of good things and had a really terrific first couple of weeks. Now, we’re at a point where he’s pretty much held that position and he’s done a lot of good things.” Ferrell scored eight vs. the Nets. … A.J. Hammons and Jarrod Uthoff were inactive.

Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson thinks Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can be a power forward long-term. “I think four can be his main position. I also think he can play three. Obviously the perimeter shooting has to get better. I think he can play three because he can handle the ball and he can play a little bit of pick-and-roll. He’s going to be that hybrid that I think is an important position.” . Lopez played in his 550th game, tying Mike Gminski for second place on the franchise’s all-time games played list. . Archie Goodwin made his Nets debut, becoming the 21st player to suit up for Brooklyn this season. He hit his only 3 try and finished with four points. … Joe Harris (sprained left shoulder) and Sean Kilpatrick (strained left hamstring).

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LIN HURT

Brooklyn’s Jeremy Lin sprained his right ankle on a drive to the basket and missed the remainder of the game after being subbed out at the 4:35 mark of the first quarter. He had four points.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host Golden State on Tuesday, starting a four-game homestand.

Nets: Host Detroit on Tuesday. Brooklyn remains home for its next two games.

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