Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks put rookie Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks in their place with a 104-97 victory at Madison Square Garden Monday. Latvian rookie Porzingis — who idolized German star Nowitzki as a schoolboy — top scored with 28 points in a furious late onslaught for New York but it was not enough to overhaul Dallas. The towering 7ft 3in Porzingis, one of the standout rookies of the season so far, helped slash a 98-81 deficit with 5:52 left in the fourth quarter to just 101-97 with 43 seconds on the clock. But just as memorable comeback was on the cards, the Mavericks reasserted themselves through Nowitzki and Deron Williams to hold on for the win. Nowitzki had six rebounds along with his 25-point haul while Williams finished with 20 points and seven assists. Porzingis sank 13 of 19 shots from the floor and also contributed two blocks. Teammate Carmelo Anthony added 17 points with eight assists and six rebounds. Spurs 119, 76ers 68: LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 26 points as the San Antonio Spurs embarrassed the woeful Philadelphia 76ers 119-68. The Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, while Kawhi Leonard did not play because of illness. San Antonio shot a season-high 61.8 percent from the floor and recorded 32 assists on a season-high-tying 46 field goals. The Spurs' point total was also a season high, and they limited the Sixers to their season low. Hornets 104, Pistons 84: Cody Zeller led a balanced attack with 20 points, and the Charlotte Hornets cruised to a 104-84 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Hornets (12-8) won for the seventh time in their last nine games and raised their record at home to 9-3. Raptors 102, Lakers 93: Raptors guard Kyle Lowry compiled 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists as Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 102-93. Terrence Ross added 22 points — including nine in the fourth quarter — for the Raptors, who had lost their previous two games. Wizards 114, Heat 103: Bradley Beal had a key steal and dunk to lead the Washington Wizards past the Miami Heat 114-103 at AmericanAirlines Arena. Beal, who had 21 points, stripped Heat guard Dwyane Wade of the ball and then beat him down the court, slamming the ball to punctuate the play that snapped a 103-103 tie. Celtics 111, Pelicans 93: Isaiah Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, including all four of his three-point attempts, as Boston beat New Orleans 111-93 at the Smoothie King Center. Suns 103, Bulls 101: Suns forward Mirza Teletovic grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a fade-away shot with 0.3 seconds remaining to lead Phoenix to a 103-101 comeback win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Bucks 90, Trail Blazers 88: Milwaukee's John Henson blocked Meyers Leonard's shot to deny Portland a possible game-winner as the Bucks beat the Trail Blazers 90-88. Clippers 110, Timberwolves 106: DeAndre Jordan scored a team-high 20 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 110-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
