New Jersey (37-28) increased its lead in the Atlantic Division as Richard Jefferson dominated the Mavericks defence to register 28 points and set up a 100-89 win.

Vince Carter added 23 points, Nenad Krstic contributed 18 and a season-high 13 rebounds and Jason Kidd chipped in 15 and nine assists for the Nets, who had not beaten the Mavericks since 2000.

Nowitzki, 37 points, overcame a 1-for-10 start from the field to finish 14-of-28, but was given little support from his Mavs teammates with rookie Rawle Marshall the next best with 10 points.

Dallas (52-15), which had won six of its previous seven games, are nowa half-game behind the San Antonio Spurs for first place in the Southwest Division and Western Conference.

The Nets shot 45 percent (37-of-82) from the floor despite Carter's 7-of-22 effort. Jefferson, Kidd and Krstic were a combined 25-of-38.

Other winners in the NBA on Sunday (US) were; the Lakers, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Minnesota, Memphis, Golden State and Miami.

NBA results, March 19 (US)
Nets 100 Mavs 89
Lakers 95 Cavs 96
Celtics 103 Pacers 88
Magic 107 Hawks 108
Bulls 104 Wizards 113
Kings 89 Wolves 95
Jazz 84 Grizzlies 90
Sixers 89 Warriors 98
Heat 111 Knicks 100