DALLAS, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Steve Nash had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists Saturday night and Nick Van Exel added 17 points and seven assists in his first action in three weeks as the Dallas Mavericks led from beginning to end in a 103-90 triumph over the Chicago Bulls.
With 1:10 to play in the second quarter, a fire alarm at the American Airlines Center went off, prompting many fans to leave the arena. A fire marshal subsequently went on the public address system to announce the building was safe and urged fans to return to their seats.
Dallas had a 31-21 lead after one quarter and a 57-46 advantage at halftime. The Mavericks, who also led throughout a 114-87 triumph at Chicago on Nov. 8, saw their advantage sliced to 73-68 after a three-pointer by Jalen Rose capped a 10-0 run with 1:41 to play in the third quarter.
But Dallas scored the next 11 points into the fourth quarter and the Bulls never threatened thereafter.
Dirk Nowitzki contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who bounced back from their first loss of the season at Indiana Thursday night.
Van Exel, who played 29 minutes, had been on the injured list since Nov. 12 with torn cartilage in his right knee. He was joined in the Mavericks' lineup by Raef LaFrentz, who scored five points in 15 minutes after a three-week stint on the IL with a right ankle sprain.
Jalen Rose scored 31 points and Donyell Marshall had 20 for the Bulls, who completed an 0-6 road trip. They have lost eight of their last nine games.
Dallas, which has not lost to Chicago since Dec. 29, 1997, shot 50 percent.
