NBA: Dallas 98, Los Angeles Clippers 92

DALLAS, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 Monday and the Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 98-92 in Caron Butler's return to Dallas, where he helped win a title last year.

Shawn Marion added 16 points for the Mavs, who secured the win only when Butler's potential go-ahead 3-point try was off-target in the final seconds.

The victory was the fourth straight for Dallas.

Butler, who played a key role in the Mavericks' NBA title run last season, was honored before the game when he accepted a championship ring. He left the squad as a free agent in December, signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Clippers.

Butler ended with 23 points and eight rebounds while Blake Griffin contributed 20 and seven rebounds for Los Angeles.