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NBA

Nowitzki key to late rally in Mavs win

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki did his part to show that the Mavericks are tougher than some think.

Nowitzki absorbed a pounding to his neck by Kevin Garnett to lead a furious rally in the final two minutes as Dallas beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109 on Thursday night.

Nowitzki, who had 32 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, took over with the Mavs down 104-99. He started with a 3-pointer, then slammed in an alley-oop to tie the score. Next came a steal against Garnett that led to a go-ahead jumper by Steve Nash.

After Garnett tied it, Nowitzki put Dallas ahead for good with a 15-foot turnaround jumper, ending Minnesota's six-game winning streak.

"The only way you're going to beat us is if you play us physical," said Nowitzki, who wore an ice pack during timeouts and rolled his neck to keep it loose after a flagrant foul by Garnett late in the third. "Tonight shows that we're a tough team."

Nash had 25 points and Raef LaFrentz scored 25 and had a season-high 15 rebounds for Dallas.

Garnett scored 31 for Minnesota.

BUCKS 97, WIZARDS 90: Sam Cassell's 31 points helped host Milwaukee beat Washington despite 24 points from Michael Jordan in what was likely his last game at the Bradley Center. Wizards forward Jerry Stackhouse aggravated a strained left groin and took a seat midway through the third quarter in his fourth game back since missing four games with the injury.

KINGS 95, SONICS 77: Hedo Turkoglu, starting in place of the injured Chris Webber, scored 22 for visiting Sacramento. Peja Stojakovic, who will replace Webber in the All-Star Game, added 17 points and 14 rebounds as the Kings snapped a three-game losing streak. Webber is out for three weeks with a sprained left ankle.

CELTICS: All-Star forward Antoine Walker, who has missed four games, expects to return tonight wearing a brace to protect his injured right knee.

HAWKS: Guard DerMarr Johnson, who broke his neck in a car accident four and a half months ago, returned to practice and hopes to play this season.

HORNETS: Point guard Robert Pack signed a contract for the rest of the season.

JAZZ: Coach Jerry Sloan apologized and said he agreed with his seven-game suspension for shoving an official: "As a coach, obviously I did something wrong. Pushing an official, that is a no-no in this business.'

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