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NBA: Dallas 102, Detroit 99

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 8 (UPI) -- Consecutive jumpers by Dirk Nowitzki slowed down a Detroit rally Friday and sent the Mavericks to a 102-99 victory over the Pistons.

It was the third win in four games for the Mavericks, who allowed all of a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead to disappear.

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Detroit took a 97-96 advantage with 2:29 to play on a 3-pointer by Khris Middleton, but Nowitzki then made his back-to-back baskets to put the Mavericks back in front.

Two free throws by Darren Collision gave Dallas a three-point lead with 3.8 seconds and the Mavericks survived when Charlie Villanueva misfired on a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

O.J. Mayo was one of seven Dallas players in double figures with 22 points. Brandan Wright had 14 and both Nowitzki and Mike James had 12.

Detroit was led by 21 points from Brandon Knight in what was the Pistons' seventh loss in eight games.

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