Associated Press

Toronto, February 7:

Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points to help the Dallas Mavericks outlast the Toronto Raptors 122-113 on Sunday.

Dallas led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter, but the Raptors cut it four before Jason Terry’s 3-pointer gave the Mavericks a seven-point lead with 36 seconds left.

Michael Finley added 23 points for the Mavericks. Dallas had seven players reach double figures in scoring. Chris Bosh had a career-high 29 points for the Raptors and Jalen Rose added 22. Erick Dampier’s dunk gave Dallas its 25-point lead in the third, but Toronto followed with 25-3 run bridging the third and fourth quarters.

In Houston, Yao Ming scored 23 points, including the winning free throws with 15.2 seconds left, to lead the Houston Rockets over the Los Angeles Lakers 103-102.

Tracy McGrady had 21 points and Bob Sura had 19 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and five steals for the Rockets, who have won four straight and eight of their last 10. Los Angeles forward Brian Cook missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds to play, and the Lakers fumbled away the ensuing rebound as the clock expired. Lamar Odom scored 14 of his 22 points in the final period and Chucky Atkins added 21 for the Lakers.

In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 28 points, including the winning free throws with 1:01 to play, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over the Los Angeles Clippers 106-104. Iverson put the Sixers ahead 104-101 on a 3-pointer with 1:44 left only to have Booby Simmons of the Clippers answer with a three-point play.

Kyle Korver had 16 points, Andre Iguodala added 15 and Williamson and Kenny Thomas each scored 14 for the Sixers. Simmons led the Clippers with 27 points, while Brand had 21 and Chris Kaman 18. In Minneapolis, Paul Pierce scored 32 points, including 15 in the third quarter, to lead Boston Celtics past Minnesota Timberwolves 103-100.

Gary Payton had 22 points and Ricky Davis added 12 points for the Celtics, who won their third consecutive game and evened their record at 24-24. Michael Olowokandi scored a season-high 21 points in 32 minutes, pulling down nine rebounds and blocking one shot. Kevin Garnett had 21 points and Fred Hoiberg added 14 points for Minnesota.