MAVERICKS 101, BOBCATS 96: Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points as host Dallas won its fourth straight game in American Airlines Center and picked up back-to-back victories for the first time since mid-February.

Nowitzki, trailing the play, buried a wide-open 3-pointer to put the Mavericks ahead by 14 points with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. He went 3 for 7 from beyond the arc while adding six rebounds and five assists.

The Bobcats have lost all 15 meetings with the Mavericks and dropped their fifth loss in the last six games. Charlotte, which led by as many as 10 points in the first half, took a 54-48 lead into the break.

Dallas closed the second quarter on a 7-0 run and carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 26-13. The Mavericks would go up by as many as 17 points but Charlotte pulled to within three in the final seconds.

The Bobcats were paced by Corey Maggette, who attacked the Mavericks’ basket and picked up nine of his 21 points from the foul line. Tyrus Thomas added a season-high 14 points and eight rebounds.

Jason Terry chipped in with 18 points off the bench for the Mavericks. Dallas’ reserves totaled 46 points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas center Brendan Haywood left with a knee injury in the third quarter. He recently missed four games with a sprained ankle. ... Neither team made moves during the trade deadline. ... Charlotte fell to 1-33 when trailing after three quarters. ... Dallas now faces a stretch of 12 games versus teams with winning records.