MAVERICKS 102, JAZZ 96: Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 40 points and Dallas ended a season-worst four-game losing skid by defeating visiting Utah.

Jason Terry added 22 points for Dallas, which beat the Jazz for the seventh straight time.

Paul Millsap scored 24 points and Derrick Favors added 14 for Utah, which lost one night after notching a home upset of the Miami Heat.

Dallas led by 23 points early in the fourth quarter before the Jazz made things interesting.

Utah used a 19-4 spurt to pull within 89-83 with 3:55 to play. Nowitzki responded by hitting back-to-back baskets to help the Mavericks hold off the charge and win for the first time since Feb. 20.

Nowitzki made 14 of 21 shots while scoring 30 or more points for the fourth time this season.

The NBA Finals MVP had 20 points as Dallas took a 43-36 halftime lead and stretched it to 19 with a 31-point third quarter.

Nowitzki hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Mavericks a 59-47 lead with 6:52 left in the quarter. Terry scored the final five points of the quarter for a 74-55 lead.

C.J. Miles added 13 points for the Jazz.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas has held 16 of its last 17 opponents under 100 points. … Utah is 3-18 in its last 21 visits to Dallas. … Beleaguered forward Lamar Odom played 18 minutes and had nine points and five rebounds for the Mavericks. … The Jazz are 3-13 on the road after losing the opener of a five-game trip.