DALLAS, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points with 11 rebounds Saturday to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 100-98 win over Atlanta.
Dallas outscored Atlanta 33-16 in the third period and then hung on as the Hawks took the fourth quarter 39-26 -- with Joe Johnson's three-pointer drawing Atlanta within two points as time expired.
Dallas has won six of the last seven meetings in the series.
The Mavericks' Jose Barea scored 16 of his season-high 22 points in the third period. Jason Terry scored 19 points and Brandon Bass added 14 with six rebounds in Dallas' fourth consecutive win.
Johnson led Atlanta with 32 points. Mike Bibby scored 21 with five assists, Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith scored 13 points apiece, and Marvin Williams scored 11 with six rebounds, while Pachulia added 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who had won six of their previous eight contests.
