By The Associated Press

DALLAS – Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 35 points in the final 5 minutes – including a three-point play with 17.9 seconds – to lift the Dallas Mavericks past the Denver Nuggets 95-93 on Sunday.

The start of Nowitzki’s late rally gave the Mavericks a five-point lead, but the Nuggets tied it at 91 on a 3-pointer by Earl Boykins with 1:03 left. A dunk by Kenyon Martin gave the Nuggets the lead with 27.5 seconds left.

In between, Nowitzki appeared to have put Dallas back ahead with a layup but was called for charging into Denver’s Francisco Elson, who was forced into action after starting center Marcus Camby sprained his left ankle in the first quarter. Nowitzki went back at Elson after Martin’s basket, hitting the tying layup and getting the foul call.

Raptors 103, Bobcats 92

TORONTO – Jalen Rose scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Toronto Raptors beat the Charlotte Bobcats 103-92 on Sunday.

Rose had 12 points during Toronto’s pivotal 19-4 run in the fourth quarter. The Raptors outscored the Bobcats 26-12 in the final period.

Morris Peterson added 26 points and Chris Bosh had 21 for the Raptors, who have won five straight at home.

Primoz Brezec had 19 points and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds for the Bobcats, who have lost eight straight.

Bucks 101, Knicks 96

NEW YORK – Desmond Mason scored 22 points to lead six Milwaukee players in double figures, and the Bucks held off the free-falling Knicks 101-96 Sunday, spoiling the debut of New York coach Herb Williams in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference’s worst teams.

It was the 10th loss in 11 games for New York, and came one day after Lenny Wilkens stepped down as coach. Williams, an assistant under Wilkens, assumed the job for the rest of the season. But on Sunday, at least, it was the same disappointing result for the Knicks.

Stephon Marbury had 33 points to lead New York, and Jamal Crawford added 20. But it wasn’t enough to stop Milwaukee from picking up its fifth road win of the season.

Heat 97, Hornets 68

MIAMI – Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists, and the Miami Heat built a 25-point first-quarter lead on the way to an easy 97-68 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Damon Jones had 13 points and five assists, and Shaquille O’Neal added 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat (30-12), who won for the third time in seven games and improved to 9-9 against teams from the West.

The 29-point final margin was a season-best for the Heat, who beat Chicago 105-81 on Dec. 3.

It also was the best defensive showing of the season for Miami, which held New Jersey to 77 points to open the year.

Suns 113, Nets 105

PHOENIX – Amare Stoudemire scored 33 points on 13-for-16 shooting, and Steve Nash had a season-high 30 points to lead Phoenix to a 113-105 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday night, snapping the Suns’ six-game losing streak.

Nash, playing his second game after missing 31/2 games because of thigh and back injuries, was 5-of-6 from 3-point range and had nine assists.

Vince Carter scored 32 points, and Jason Kidd had 23 for the Nets, who had their season-best three-game winning streak snapped in the first of five in a row on the road.

Stoudemire made his first eight shots and 13 of 14 before missing two in a row in the fourth quarter. Quentin Richardson scored 20 points, including 5-of-10 on 3s, for Phoenix.

Joe Johnson added 15 points, and Shawn Marion had 10 points and 13 rebounds. Rodney Buford scored 16 points for the Nets, but was 1-of-7 in the second half.