GER - Nowitzki okay after blurred vision scare for Mavs

DALLAS (NBA) - Blurred vision forced Germany international Dirk Nowitzki out in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors but his team-mates maintained control for a 117-98 triumph - their 11th straight win.

Nowitzki, FIBA Europe’s Player of the Year in 2005 after leading Germany to a EuroBasket silver medal, was diagnosed with a bruised retina, originally suffered in Monday’s win over Minnesota.

"It's nothing really. It's just a bruise, I guess," Nowitzki said.

"I got hit two days ago in the game against Minnesota (and) didn't really have any effects.

“I finished the game, it was great (Tuesday) and it was great this morning and then, all of a sudden, in the game, things started to get blurry and I couldn't really see anything. I couldn't really focus.

"It's obviously scary. I haven't ever had anything like it. I was a little nervous, didn't really know what was going on. We already got it checked out. It's just a bruised retina. I guess we go from there.

“I'm clear for activity. I can practice (Thursday) if I want to. I can play the next game (against Sacramento on Friday) so I'm really excited about that."

On Wednesday, Josh Howard filled in the gaps with a season-high 26 points to lead five players in double figures for Dallas.

"It was a great performance,” Nowitzki said.

“Everybody looked great offensively. They were aggressive and 11 in a row was great."

Nowitzki had six points and six rebounds before leaving the game with 1:46 left in the first quarter.

When Nowitzki left, the Mavericks were already 34-19 ahead as Howard scored 12 of his points in the opening period.

Toronto rallied to get back to 55-47 just before the half, but go no closer.

Jerry Stackhouse scored a season-high 23 points and Jason Terry added 14 for Dallas, who have made their 0-4 start a distant memory.
Team USA’s Chris Bosh led Toronto with 18 points.

Utah continued their own hot form, beating the San Antonio Spurs 83-75 as Matt Harpring and Deron Williams came up with some big plays down the stretch.
Carlos Boozer did the ground work, scoring 23 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Harpring had six points during a decisive 15-5 run, while Williams contributed five during the spurt which was capped by Turkey international Mehmet Okur’s three-pointer.

Tim Duncan collected 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for San Antonio, while Team USA international Bruce Bowen added a season-high 17.
France national team point guard Tony Parker had 14.

Another Team USA star, Amare Stoudemire, collected 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns won their fifth straight game with a 102-91 defeat of the Houston Rockets.

Raja Bell scored 20 points, Steve Nash added 17 and eight assists and Brazilizan Leandro Barbosa scored 14 off the bench for Phoenix.
Tracy McGrady led Houston with 23 points while China’s Yao Ming had 18.

Joe Johnson scored a season-high 36 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-90 win over the Charlotte Bobcats, while Eddy Curry had 12 of his season-high 24 points in the final quarter as the New York Knicks downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-98.

Vince Carter scored 14 of his 23 points in the final quarter as the New Jersey Nets ended a miserable six-game losing streak with a 106-103 win over the Boston Celtic, while Dwight Howard was the dominant force in Orlando’s 94-84 win over Seattle, collecting 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Stephen Jackson buried the go-ahead three-pointer with one second left as the Indiana Pacers snatched a 108-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors, while a 22-point first-half explosion from Cuttino Mobley set up a 105-90 win for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Memphis Grizzlies.

PA Sport