NBA: Dallas 101, Charlotte 96

DALLAS, March 15 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas on a third-period comeback Thursday that lifted the Mavericks to a 101-96 victory over Charlotte.

It was the 15th meeting between the franchises and the Mavericks have won them all.

The struggling Mavericks have put together two straight wins but those victories have come against two of the weakest teams in the NBA -- and the triumph over Charlotte was a battle.

The Bobcats, who have just six victories all season, had a six-point halftime lead and then managed to score just 14 points in the third period. Dallas built a 17-point advantage in the fourth period.

Nowitzki scored 27 points and Jason Terry had 18 for Dallas. The Mavericks, however, saw starting center Brendan Haywood limp to the sidelines in the third period with a knee injury, and he did not return.

Corey Maggette had 21 points for Charlotte, which finished a four-game road trip 1-3.