EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and Josh Howard added 23 to lead Dallas past New Jersey 92-75 Tuesday night.

A night after having its 12-game winning streak snapped at Washington, Dallas led from the game’s first basket and pulled away in the fourth quarter. Howard and Nowitzki led the surge, scoring all of Dallas’ points in a 13-4 run that gave the Mavericks an 88-71 lead with 3:10 left.

Blazers 88, Pistons 85

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Zach Randolph’s short jumper put Portland ahead with 21.6 seconds to go, and the Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 88-85 Tuesday night to stop a five-game losing streak.

Randolph finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds, less than a year after scoring a career-best 37 in the same building.

Suns 127, Kings 102

PHOENIX – Steve Nash had an NBA season-high 20 assists and the Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-102 Tuesday night for their seventh straight victory.

Leandro Barbosa scored 26 points and Nash came within two assists of a career high, set in the Suns’ 140-133 loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 2.

Rockets 118, Warriors 90

HOUSTON – Tracy McGrady scored 31 points and dished out seven assists and Yao Ming added 27 points as the Houston Rockets routed the Golden State Warriors 118-90 on Tuesday night.

Chuck Hayes grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and Juwan Howard added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who shot 54 percent (45 of 84) against the NBA’s worst defense.

Houston won for the sixth time in seven games.

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