NEW YORK (NBA) - Germany international Dirk Nowitzki poured in 30 points, claimed 16 rebounds and six assists but could not prevent the Dallas Mavericks having their franchise-record 23-game home winning streak snapped by Phoenix on Wednesday.

Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire were the stars as the Suns posted a wild 129-127 double-overtime victory over Mavericks in a battle of Western Conference powers.

Canada's Nash had 32 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds and Team USA superstar Stoudemire collected 41 points and 10 rebounds.

The Suns (50-14) have posted a 11-1 record since the All-Star break to pull within 2.5 games of the Mavericks (52-11) for first place in the West and the NBA's best record.  

Stoudemire took over the game, scoring 13 points in the two extra periods, and shooting 16 of 19 from the floor.  

Jerry Stackhouse scored a season-high 33 points for the Mavericks, who now have lost two straight after winning 52 of 57 games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are happy to have their superstar back in the lineup.

LeBron James returned after missing Tuesday night's game against Sacramento with back spasms and scored 29 points as the Cavaliers rolled to a 118-96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

James scored 13 straight points in just over two minutes in the third quarter, including three straight three-pointers.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 18 points and Drew Gooden added 10 points and 12 rebounds as seven Cavaliers scored in double figures.

Rookie forward Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Spain international Pau Gasol added 23 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis, who have lost seven straight.

When the Chicago Bulls needed him most, Kirk Hinrich came through.

Hinrich scored a key basket and Luol Deng scored 20 points as the Bulls rallied to edge the Philadelphia 76ers 88-87.

Hinrich had 14 points and PJ Brown and reserve Chris Duhon each had 11 for Chicago, who have won three straight on the road and seven of eight overall.

Andre Iguodala scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out six assists, including an ally-oop to Samuel Dalembert with 2:14 left that gave the Sixers their last lead at 87-86.

Willie Green had 16 points for Philadelphia, who have lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak.

In Indianapolis, Gilbert Arenas took it upon himself to end the Washington Wizards' losing streak.

Arenas scored 28 of his 35 points in the second half as Washington handed the Indiana Pacers their 11th straight loss, 112-96.

Jermaine O'Neal returned to the Pacers lineup after sitting out the past three games with a strained left knee and scored 24 points.

Antawn Jamison finished with 27 points for the Wizards, while Danny Granger scored 19 points and Troy Murphy had 17 for the Pacers.

Elsewhere, the Atlanta Hawks had their slim play-off hopes put on hold by the Boston Celtics.

A night after posting an impressive victory over Philadelphia, the Hawks came out flat in a 109-88 loss to the Celtics.

Al Jefferson scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Kendrick Perkins added 12 and 12 for Boston. 

Rookie point guard Rajon Rondo notched a double-double as well with 13 points and 10 assists.

Marvin Williams poured in 13 points and Zaza Pachulia grabbed nine boards for Atlanta, who shot just 38% (24 of 63) from the floor.

In Charlotte, the Bobcats look determined to send coach Bernie Bickerstaff out on a positive note.

One day after finding out Bickerstaff will not be guiding the team next season, the Bobcats made some clutch plays down the stretch to post a 111-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Michael Jordan, Charlotte's managing member of basketball operations, announced on Tuesday that Bickerstaff would not return as coach next season.  

Matt Carroll scored 22 points and Sean May added 20 for the Bobcats. 

May was nine of 17 from the field, including two of two from the arc for the first three-pointers of his career.

Ron Artest had 21 for the Kings, who shot 52% (37 of 71) but could not avoid their fourth straight loss.

Team USA's Dwight Howard was a major reason the Orlando Magic built a big lead against the Utah Jazz and he was the sole reason they kept it.

Howard recorded a double-double and made a number of key plays down the stretch to lead the Magic to a 101-90 victory over the Jazz.

Howard had 31 points and 15 rebounds, while Carlos Boozer scored 29 points and Turkish star Mehmet Okur added 21 for Utah, who are 0-2 on their current four-game road trip

Another Turk, Hidayet Turkoglu, had 22 points and Grant Hill added 12 for the Magic.

In Toronto, point guard TJ Ford scored 18 points and tied a career high with 18 assists as the Toronto Raptors used hot shooting en route to a 104-94 victory over the Knicks.

Rookie forwards Andrea Bargnani of Italy and Jorge Garbajosa of Spain scored 18 points apiece for the Raptors, who shot 51% (35 of 69) from the field and 12-of-20 on three-pointers.

Stephon Marbury scored 31 points for New York (29-35), who fell into a three-way tie with Indiana (29-35) and Orlando (30-36) for the final play-off spot in the East.

In Houston, Tracy McGrady and the Rockets were barely able to overcome Elton Brand.

McGrady scored 21 points and Rafer Alston added 20 as the Rockets posted a 109-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Chuck Hayes scored a career-high 16 points and China international Yao Ming added 14 for Houston, who have won four of their last five games.

The Rockets withstood an outstanding effort by Brand, who scored a season-high 37 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter for Los Angeles.

Finally, Richard Hamilton scored 21 points and Tayshaun Prince added 15 as the Detroit Pistons won their fourth straight game, an 87-75 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Zach Randolph had 21 points and 11 rebounds and rookie LaMarcus Aldridge collected 14 and 10 for the Trail Blazers, who shot just 39% (28 of 71).

Jamie Strickland
FIBA