NBA: Dallas 103, LA Clippers 90

DALLAS, March 25 (UPI) -- Josh Howard scored 32 points Tuesday to help the Dallas Mavericks offset the loss of Dirk Nowitzki with a 103-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Erick Dampier had 19 points and 17 rebounds for Dallas, which was playing its first game without Nowitzki, who suffered an ankle sprain and a sprained knee Sunday. The All-Star forward, who is sidelined indefinitely, leads the team in scoring (23.6 ppg) and rebounds (8.8 rpg) this season.

Jerry Stackhouse added 20 points for Dallas, which is fourth in the Southwest Division and holds the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Corey Maggette had 21 points for the Clippers, who have lost eight games in a row.