MAVERICKS 97, TRAIL BLAZERS 94: Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points to lead five Mavericks in double figures as visiting Dallas held off LaMarcus Aldridge-less Portland.

Dallas (34-26) moved one game behind idle Memphis for fifth place in the Western Conference playoff race.

The absence of Aldridge, who will have season-ending surgery on his right hip, was felt from the start. The Mavericks made their first four shots and the Trail Blazers missed their first four and were down 9-0, setting the tempo.

But Dallas nearly gave away all if its one-time 24-point lead with poor turnovers.

J.J. Hickson completed a 12-0 run with a three-point play to bring Portland to within 93-89 with 1:17 remaining. Nowitzki made two free throws for a 95-89 lead with 16.6 seconds to go.

Jamal Crawford scored for Portland. Brandan Wright’s dunk made it 97-91 and Wesley Matthews made a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Portland.

Shawn Marion had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Mavericks. Delonte West added 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Wright scored 13 and added eight rebounds.

Dallas reserve Jason Terry was 0 for 8 in the first half and finished just 3 for 16 for 10 points.

Nicolas Batum led Portland with 20 points and eight rebounds. Crawford scored 18 and Matthews 15.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Aldridge ends his season ranked eighth in scoring, averaging 21.7 points. … Dallas’ Rodrigue Beaubois left in the third quarter with a right calf strain. ... Despite a near triple-double Thursday, Jason Kidd sat out the game to rest for the remaining two of the four-game trip.