DALLAS- Tony Parker scored 23 points and Tim Duncan added 21 points and 13 rebounds to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 116-107 NBA victory Thursday at Dallas.

Danny Green went 5-for-5 from 3-point range and finished with 22 points off the bench for the Spurs, while Brazilian Tiago Splitter added 12 points and Parker's French compatriot Boris Diaw contributed 10 for the Spurs, the Southwest division leaders who improved to 23-7.

German star Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 25 points in a losing cause, while Monta Ellis finished with 23 points and six assists for Dallas.

Vince Carter scored 20 points, including 11-of-11 free throw shooting, and DeJuan Blair had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who lost for the third time in their past four games, falling to 16-13.

San Antonio led 100-85 after a Parker jump shot with 5:43 remaining before the Mavericks scored the next 12 points, including nine by Ellis and a Nowitzki 3-pointer to pull Dallas within three points.

But the Spurs answered with a Green 3-pointer and a free throw by Argentina's Manu Ginobili.

Samuel Dalembert pulled the Mavericks within 110-107 with 51 seconds remaining but the Spurs netted the final six points to secure the triumph.

SOURCE: AFP