NBA: San Antonio 88, Dallas 81

DALLAS, March 23 (UPI) -- Manu Ginobli's 26 points Sunday powered San Antonio's 88-81 victory over Dallas.

When the Spurs sprinted away from a 40-36 halftime deficit, Ginobli sank a pair of three-pointers and two free throws after a technical foul called on Dallas forward Jerry Stackhouse. He added eight rebounds and six assists.

Tim Duncan scored 19 with 13 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 13 points, three assists and four rebounds to help the Spurs win the intensely played defensive battle played at Dallas' American Airlines Center.

Dallas was led by Stackhouse's 19 points and four rebounds. Jason Terry added 17 points, three points and three assists, while Josh Howard had 13 points and nine rebounds.

Before he suffered a lower left leg injury in the third period, Dirk Nowitzki had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Nowitzki's status will be determined during an MRI on Monday.

The Mavericks sank to 0-8 since obtaining Jason Kidd from New Jersey in February.