Nets’ Late Rally Falls Short Against Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki and former Nets guard Vince Carter each scored 20 points, and the Dallas Mavericks avoided another late collapse by holding off Brooklyn 98-90 on Friday night.

Dallas led by as many as 20 points, then looked as if it might repeat its performance from its previous game, when it blew a 25-point lead against Memphis. But O.J. Mayo added 17 points as the Mavericks ended their three-game losing streak.

Deron Williams scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half in his first game against Dallas since deciding to remain with the Nets instead of signing with the Mavericks last summer.

Brook Lopez had 19 points and Joe Johnson added 11 as he returned to the Nets after missing the last three games with a foot injury.

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