MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki boosted Dallas to a big third-quarter lead Friday and the Mavericks held on to defeat Minnesota 104-97.
After struggling for much of the season, Nowitzki has displayed the kind of form over the last four games that made him the MVP of last year's championship series.
Nowitzki scored 33 points Friday and Dallas won its second in a row after losing three straight. The Mavericks' star forward has piled up 112 points in his last four outings while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Jason Terry added 16 points for Dallas and Jason Kidd had 10 assists in his return from a six-game absence. Kidd had been suffering from a pulled calf muscle.
Kevin Love also returned for the Timberwolves after serving a two-game suspension for kicking Houston's Luis Scola in the face.
Love scored 32 points with 12 rebounds in what was Minnesota's second straight loss.
The Mavericks led by as many as 17 points in the third period. They forced 28 Minnesota turnovers.
