NBA: Dallas 105, San Antonio 97

SAN ANTONIO, April 18 (UPI) -- Josh Howard's 25 points led Dallas to a 105-97 victory Saturday at San Antonio, the Mavericks' first road playoff win in three years.

The home loss in Game1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal was the fourth since 2007 for the third-seeded Spurs.

High-scoring forward Dirk Nowitzki had eight of his 19 points in the fourth period and finished with eight rebounds. He scored six in the closing three minutes.

Brandon Bass scored 14 with four rebounds and Erick Dampier had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the sixth-seeded Mavericks, who overcame a 29-18 first period deficit. They had lost nine straight road playoff games, going back to the 2006 NBA Finals against Miami.

Tim Duncan's 27 points with nine rebounds led San Antonio. Tony Parker scored 24 with eight assists.

Michael Finley scored 19 with four rebounds, while Roger Mason added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Spurs, who are trying to win the NBA title for a fourth time in seven years.