SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES // Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points on 12-of-18 shooting, Caron Butler added 16 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 93-81 last night to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Dallas improved to 15-4 and ended a five-game losing streak in Utah.
The Mavericks also snapped Utah's seven-game winning streak, outscoring the Jazz (15-6) by a 13-2 margin to start the fourth quarter.
Jason Kidd added 15 points for Dallas on 6-of-8 shooting.
Paul Millsap led Utah with 21 points, and Al Jefferson had 18 points and eight rebounds.
It was an uncharacteristic off-night for Utah's Deron Williams, who entered the game shooting 62 per cent the previous five games. He made just 4 of 13 shots - going 1 of 3 from 3-point range - and had four turnovers after being honoured earlier in the day as the Western Conference Player of the Month. The Jazz had a tough night at the line, making only 20 of 30 free throws.
They also shot just 38.2 per cent, while Dallas shot 52.6 per cent.