NBA: Dallas 108, Minnesota 88

MINNEAPOLIS, April 1 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and 12 rebounds Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks coasted to a 108-88 victory over the toothless Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jason Terry scored 21 points and Jason Kidd had 13 assists for Dallas.

The Mavericks were helped by Josh Howard, who had missed the past 12 games with an ankle injury. Howard had 14 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.

Dallas, in the eighth and final post-season spot in the Western Conference, four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, is looking to earn a ninth straight playoff appearance.

Kevin Love had 23 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which has one of the worsts records in the NBA. Ryan Gomes and Mike Miller both added 15 points.