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Mavs dominate Warriors in Stojakovic's return

Mar 21, 2011 - 4:25 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Peja Stojakovic hit five of Dallas' 12 three-pointers in his return to the court, sparking the Mavericks to a 101-73 thumping of the Golden State Warriors.

Stojakovic missed the previous six games due to a neck injury and ended with 17 points off the bench for the Mavs, who clinched a spot in the playoffs with their second win in three games.

Rodrigue Beaubois chipped in 15 points and Tyson Chandler pulled down a game- high 17 rebounds for the victors.

Golden State's 73 points were 30 below its average and were the fewest allowed by Dallas this season.

Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to stop a three-game losing streak.

"It was just an off night for guys. Guys couldn't find their shot," said Warriors forward Dorell Wright, who scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting.

Nine different Mavs scored in a first quarter that saw the hosts jump out to a 31-23 lead.

Stojakovic hit three consecutive shots from behind the arc to start the second frame, and Dallas went into the intermission with a 51-43 advantage after the Warriors scored the half's final eight points.

Golden State was as close as 60-56 following Ellis' step-back jumper five minutes into the third quarter, but the Mavs scored the next eight points to rebuild the double-digit lead on DeShawn Stevenson's three-pointer.

The Mavs ended the third on a 7-0 run for a 76-63 cushion, and Beaubois' two free throws capped a 14-point spurt in the fourth for a 92-68 difference that was not threatened in the final five minutes.

"This is a challenging team to play because they're very quick, they're very skilled," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said of the Warriors. "It's one of our better defensive games in the last couple of weeks. It gives us something to build on."

Game Notes

Dallas forward Shawn Marion missed the game due to a wrist injury...The Warriors scored just 10 points in the fourth quarter, and the 73 points were the second lowest output for the team this season (72 in a loss to Milwaukee on November 13)...Dallas has won six straight meetings, including three this season...Stephen Curry scored 11 points of 4-of-12 shooting in the loss...Ian Mahinmi had nine points and 13 rebounds off Dallas' bench.