DALLAS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki made two free throws with seven seconds left Wednesday and Dallas survived a three-point attempt at the buzzer to defeat Phoenix 108-105.
The Mavericks won their fourth straight and captured the first meeting of the year between the NBA powerhouses.
Dallas had a 15-point lead with 7:20 to play, but Phoenix fought back to within one when Amare Stoudemire converted a three-point play with eight seconds to go.
Nowitzki was fouled immediately after the inbounds pass and he made both attempts from the line. That gave Phoenix plenty of time to set up a three-point shot, which was taken by Steve Nash.
The shot failed to go, however, and Phoenix was unable to back up its Monday victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
Nowitzki scored 31 points for the second game in a row, with Josh Howard adding 22 and Devin Harris 21. The Suns were led by Stoudemire's 25.
