PHOENIX — Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit for a crucial 105-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns today.

Josh Howard added 24 and Brandon Bass 19 for the Mavericks, who used a smothering defense in a 16-0 run that put them ahead for good in a game the Suns had led nearly throughout. Phoenix went scoreless for just under eight minutes, missing 12 shots in the process.

Nowitzki, in his third game back since missing four with a sprained left knee and ankle, scored 12 in the fourth quarter, when Dallas outscored Phoenix 27-9.

The Suns made three of 19 shots in the final period.

Amare Stoudemire had 31 points for the Suns but missed three of four free throws down the stretch. Steve Nash had 14 points and 10 assists, but shot only 4-of-17 from the field. He was 1-for-9 in the second half, 0-for-6 in the fourth quarter. He also had five turnovers.

Jason Kidd, who led the defensive surge, had eight points, seven assists, six rebounds, four steals and four blocked shots for Dallas.

The victory lifted Dallas a game ahead of eighth-place Denver in the Western Conference with five to play. The Mavericks have regrouped to go 2-1 against teams with winning records after going 0-for-10.

The Suns, who would have clinched a playoff victory with a victory, fell 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division. Phoenix dropped to sixth in the West, a half-game behind Houston.

Shaquille O'Neal had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, whose season-best home winning streak ended at seven games.

After O'Neal's 10-footer made it 91-78 to start the fourth quarter, the Suns went cold and the Mavericks took off. Bass' rebound basket started the decisive run. Howard's two free throws with 5:15 to play put Dallas ahead for good 92-91.

Erick Dampier's rebound dunk capped the run to make it 94-91. Stoudemire's dunk ended the long drought and cut the lead to 94-93 3:45 from the finish, but an 8-3 spurt finished off the Suns.

Nowitzki's tough 16-footer with 32.2 seconds left sealed the win.