DALLAS: Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Josh Howard added 17 and eight rebounds as Dallas routed San Antonio 88-67 Thursday to take a 2-1 lead in their first round playoff series. Dallas allowed just 30 points in the first two quarters as San Antonio finished with its fewest points in a post-season contest in front of a crowd of 20,491. Nowitzki nailed a series of jump shots to start the third quarter as the Mavericks improved to 16-1 at home since the all-star break. The Mavericks led by 16 points at the half and then built a 26 point lead. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich then sat starters Tony Parker and Tim Duncan to rest them for Saturday's game four. Dallas is 7-1 in games following 20-point losses and Erick Dampier had two points, nine rebounds and three blocks. J.J. Barea had 13 points and seven assists in his first career playoff start and Jason Kidd had six assists and eight rebounds. France's Parker, who had 38 points in game two, was San Antonio's leading scorer with just 12 points. He made only five of 14 shots, with as many turnovers (three) as assists. Duncan had four points on two-of-nine shooting, with as many fouls (two) as rebounds. The Spurs struggled to find anything that would work. They often took shots late in the shot clock, and those were rarely good. They had six passes stolen and had five shots blocked. They scored only 30 points the entire half; if not for a buzzer-beater by George Hill, San Antonio would've matched its worst half in a playoff game. Dampier drew the scrutiny of the San Antonio media for saying he would foul Parker on his first drive of this game. Dampier ended up going the whole game without colliding with Parker.