Mavericks 111, Rockets 104: Dirk Nowitzki poured in 31 points and visiting Dallas overcame another dominant effort from Dwight Howard in a triumph over rival Houston.

Nowitzki was his usual efficient self, hitting 11-of-18 shots from the field to help the Mavericks improve to 5-9 on the road. Monta Ellis chipped in 18 points while Vince Carter contributed 16 in a reserve role.

Fresh off a 35-point, 19-rebound explosion in a win over Detroit, Howard finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Chandler Parsons added 21 points while Jeremy Lin had 20 in his return from a four-game absence due to a back injury.

Howard's 16-point, six-rebound first half propelled the Rockets to a 57-50 advantage at the break before the Mavericks made quick work of the deficit, drawing even on Nowitzki's 3-pointer following a turnover by Howard and pulling ahead on Jose Calderon's layup. Nowitzki's layup capped Dallas' quarter-opening 15-2 run, and the Mavericks limited Houston to two field goals in the final 5:19 to carry an 86-78 lead into the fourth.

Houston closed to within seven on Terrence Jones' short transition jumper, but Ellis responded with a 3-pointer that fueled a 12-5 run. Nowitzki reeled off six straight points in a 59-second span to halt a Houston uprising, and the Rockets didn't get closer than six points the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rockets SG James Harden (ankle) missed his second straight game, and has said he wouldn't return until the injury was fully healed. ... The Rockets owned a 60-32 advantage in points in the paint. ... Nowitzki passed Alex English for 13th place on the all-time scoring list with 25,631 points.