DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 and Steve Nash added 28 as the Mavericks retained their lead in the West with a 108-90 victory over the Magic on Saturday night.
The Mavericks (57-19) hold a one-game advantage over San Antonio in the race for the top record in the conference and the Midwest Division.
With the Magic's Tracy McGrady out of the starting lineup, the Mavericks took advantage, jumping to a 28-9 lead 81/2 minutes in. McGrady didn't start because of a strained rib muscle on his right side.
But McGrady, who wore a protective wrap around his rib area, checked in with 3:55 left in the first. After hitting a 3-pointer to pull Orlando within 30-18 late in the first, he missed his next eight shots.
McGrady, who scored 30 or more in 14 consecutive games, was 3-of-14 for 12 points in 25 minutes and sat out the fourth. McGrady also had his franchise-record streak of 45 straight games of scoring 20 or more snapped.
SUNS 111, WOLVES 94: Bo Outlaw always brings energy off the bench. Against the Timberwolves, he also brought a lot of points and rebounds. Outlaw had season highs of 19 points and 15 rebounds, his first double double in almost two years with Phoenix, as the host Suns improved their playoff chances.
"This was a big game," Outlaw said. "The rest of our games are big. We've got to come and play with an attitude."
The Suns, who beat the Timberwolves for the first time in four tries this season, have won four of the past five, boosting their lead to 11/2 games over idle Houston for the final playoff spot in the West with seven games left.
The Timberwolves have lost four of five to fall a game behind Portland for the No. 4 spot in the West and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota plays at Portland tonight.
Garnett had 25 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who allowed more than 110 points for the fourth time in five games. HAWKS 97, GRIZZLIES 91: Jason Terry scored 23 for host Atlanta. The Hawks, eliminated from the East playoffs after Milwaukee's two-point victory Friday over Cleveland, never trailed after Terry hit two free throws with 1:58 left in the first quarter. Pau Gasol had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead Memphis, which outscored Atlanta 27-14 in the fourth quarter, but Brevin Knight missed three jumpers down the stretch.
CAVS 79, HORNETS 76: Ricky Davis scored 17 and host Cleveland blocked 13 shots. With their 15th win, the Cavaliers won't have the worst record in franchise history. They went 15-67 in 1970-71 and 1981-82. The Hornets' Jamal Mashburn scored 23, but made a critical turnover with 11.7 seconds left and missed a 28-footer that could have tied it.
[Last modified April 6, 2003, 01:16:49]
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