NBA: Dallas 111, New Jersey 91

DALLAS, March 9 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki's 34 points and nine rebounds Saturday led the Dallas Mavericks' 111-91 rout of the New Jersey Nets.

The losers used a 7-2 spurt to trim their early deficit to 30-24, but they trailed 52-34 at the break and faced a double-digit deficit the rest of the way. Dallas' biggest lead was 100-77 with 6:07 remaining.

Jerry Stackhouse scored 20 and reserve Brandon Bass had a career-high 19 points with seven rebounds for the Mavericks, who broke a three-game losing streak.

It was the first meeting between the teams since Dallas obtained disgruntled point guard Jason Kidd from the Nets in an eight-player deal Feb. 19.

Dallas, which is 5-5 since the trade, is seventh in the Western Conference playoff chase.

New Jersey got 22 points and four rebounds from Richard Jefferson. Marcus Williams had 15 points and four rebounds while both Vince Carter and Bostjan Nachbar scored 13 for the Nets, who have dropped five straight.