The Bobcats had a franchise-record, five-game winning streak come to an end.

Dallas made 13 of 23 shots in the first period to jump in front and Nowitzki went on to score 26 points. Josh Howard added 24 and Brandon Bass had 16. The Mavericks won their third in a row after losing three straight.

Charlotte was led by Raymond Felton with 21. Gerald Wallace returned to action after missing eight games with a concussion and scored 14 points.

Dallas owned a 22-point halftime lead and the Bobcats came no closer than 20 during the second half.