NBA: Dallas 116, Indiana 97

DALLAS, March 15 (UPI) -- A 21-point effort by Dirk Nowitzki Friday lifted Dallas to a 116-97 victory over Indiana, the Mavericks' fourth straight triumph.

Josh Howard added 18 points and both Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry had 14 for Dallas, which built a 14-point lead after one period and was not seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Indiana was led by 22 points from Ronald Murray. The Pacers have lost four of their last five and are two games behind New Jersey and Atlanta in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Dallas has lost only four games at home this season and has defeated the Pacers in eight of their last nine meetings.