Mavericks outlast Bobcats

NBA ROUNDUP

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle warned his team that the trade-depleted Charlotte Bobcats were still dangerous. The Mavericks got the message just in time.

Dirk Nowitzki hit a key 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds to play and finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists to help the Mavericks hold off the pesky Bobcats, 95-90, last night in Dallas.

"We escaped," Carlisle said. "All these teams are capable. They [the Bobcats] are really hungry for a win."

Jason Terry had 26 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, to help the Mavericks improve to 10-0 against the Bobcats.

The Mavericks bounced back from a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night and have won 10 of their last 12.

Emeka Okafor had a season-high 27 points and 17 rebounds, and Raymond Felton added 16 points for Charlotte. The Bobcats have lost five straight.

"We gave them confidence early and they kept coming," Terry said. "They weren't going to back down. They were shorthanded and we have to play better."

The Bobcats had a short bench after the trade Wednesday that sent top scorer Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and a 2010 second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Sean Singletary. The Charlotte newcomers are expected to make their Bobcats debuts tomorrow night against Detroit.

"We played a lot of guys who've never really played before," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said.

Jazz 97, Trail Blazers 88 - Mehmet Okur scored 21 of his 27 points in the first quarter and added 10 rebounds to help host Utah improve to 2-0 against Portland this season.

Paul Millsap had his 10th straight double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Deron Williams added 14 points and 11 assists for the Jazz. Brandon Roy led Portland with 33 points.