Caron Butler lifted the Washington Wizards over the Dallas Mavericks to end the Texans perfect home record. He scored 35 points, plus a career-high five three-pointers, as the Wizards managed to win 110-98, despite playing without their top scorer Gilbert Arenas.
 
"I think Caron is playing the way he was playing when he made the all star team, but everybody gets to see him now because (injured) Gilbert (Arenas) isn't here," said teammate DeShawn Stevenson.

Antawn Jamison finished with 27 points and Antonio Daniels added 16 for the Wizards (7-7) who ended a five-game drought at Dallas. DeShawn Stevenson also finished in double figures and scored 13 points.

NBA’s reigning MVP, Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki had a superb night as he scored 31 points and hauled eight rebounds for the Mavericks who are now 9-5. after winning all the six games on their home court, Dallas finally lost despite setting a new franchise record of 29 free throws without a miss. Josh Howard chipped in with 17 points and JJ Berea added 15.

"I don't think championship teams can get used to losing two or three in a row," Mavs head coach Avery Johnson said. "I don't think that is a good sign."

The first half saw Nowitzki and Butler battling and although the German wunderkind scored 21 points, the Wizards were 47-45 up at the break. Then Butler poured 14 points to increase the margin to 85-72 after the third quarter.

Barea scored 11 points to start the fourth quarter and push the Mavericks close to within 85-77. But the Wizards went on with their game and after Brendan Haywood's tip-in with 9:32 left they went on a 6-0 run that opened a 91-77 lead. Then they never let it dip below nine the rest of the way.


Elsewhere in the NBA:

Golden State Warriors 129, Phoenix Suns 114
Sacramento Kings 112, San Antonio Spurs 99
Minnesota Timberwolves 103, New Orleans Hornets 94
New York Knicks 113, Utah Jazz 109
Orlando Magic 85, Portland Trail Blazers 74
Houston Rockets 88, LA Clippers 71.