Dallas, TX (My Sportsbook) - Dirk Nowitzki poured in 39 points to go along with nine rebounds, as Dallas trounced struggling Phoenix, 112-97, in a Western Conference showdown.

Jason Terry scored 19 points and dished out six assists coming off the bench and Jose Barea added 18 points in a starting role. Erick Dampier came within a point of a double-double with nine points and 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, winners of three straight as they continue a seven-game homestand.

Amare Stoudemire totaled a team-best 28 points and Steve Nash added 20 points and 10 assists for the Suns, who are in the midst of a season-worst four-game skid. Nash played after missing Wednesday's loss to the Hornets with the flu and Shaquille O'Neal scored four points with five rebounds after joining Nash on the bench just for rest during the long season.

Dallas caught fire early and never looked back. Nowitzki's jumper gave Dallas a 24-18 lead late in the first quarter, one which ended with the Mavericks in front 33-24. The lead expanded during the second stanza.

Desagana Diop's slam dunk capped an 8-2 stretch to begin the period. An 8-0 spurt moments later pushed the advantage to 49-28. A three from Jason Kidd, who scored just four points to go along with four rebounds and eight assists, drained a three and Terry's jumper opened a 49-28 edge.

The Mavericks held a 64-46 lead at the half.

Down 22 points at one point in the third quarter, Phoenix trimmed the deficit to 88-74 by the end of the period. Boris Diaw's lay-in and Raja Bell's three- pointer closed the quarter's scoring.

Barea's three-pointer with 4:12 to play for a 105-82 edge summed up the fourth quarter as Phoenix never threatened.

Game Notes

Dallas shot 51.1 percent from the floor, while the Suns made 44.4 percent of their shots...The Mavericks outrebounded the Suns, 48-35...Phoenix has lost three of four at American Airlines Center...Dallas has scored 100-plus points against the Suns in 17 of the previous 18 meetings...Attendance 19,813.