Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 20 points Thursday and the Dallas Mavericks slowed down Tony Parker to produce a surprisingly easy 88-67 win over San Antonio. The Mavericks scored the game's first eight points and ran away to a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven playoff series.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason both scored 26 points Wednesday and Dallas shot 58 percent from the floor in defeating Golden State 128-106. The Mavericks trail Portland by one game in their attempt to move up from eighth place in the Western Conference and avoid a first-round playoff meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. Jose Barea chipped in 20 points for the Mavericks, winners of three out of four. Golden State, which has lost three straight, got 29 points from Anthony Morrow.

Dirk Nowitzki's 34 points and 13 rebounds Tuesday went a long way to bringing Dallas a 122-117 victory over slumping Phoenix. The Mavericks also were helped by Jason Terry's 25 points off the bench.

Tony Parker fired in 37 points and carded 12 assists Tuesday, steering the San Antonio Spurs to a 93-76 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Michael Finley, Matt Bonner and Kurt Thomas also were in double figures for the Spurs, who won their third straight despite being without Tim Duncan for the first time this season.

Yao Ming led a third-quarter rally Friday that brought the Houston Rockets their sixth consecutive home victory -- 93-86 over Dallas. Yao scored 22 points and hauled in 13 rebounds to help offset a season-high 22 turnovers by the Rockets. Aaron Brooks contributed 19 points and hit two key 3-point shots down the stretch. Dallas owned a seven-point lead at halftime, but the Rockets went on a 24-4 run in the third quarter.