DALLAS — With a bunch of versatile veterans, the Dallas Mavericks figure they can play any style of game and with any configuration of their lineup.

That means they even like their chances against, say, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal on a night when Dirk Nowitzki is in street clothes.

Seem silly? Not after the Nowitzki-less Mavs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-95, last night in a matchup of division leaders.

Tim Thomas replaced Nowitzki in the starting lineup and did a nice impression with 22 points, and six others scored at least eight points. But it was on defense where Dallas really did a number on the Cavs.

James scored only two of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and O'Neal made only one basket all game. Mo Williams was held to eight points as Cleveland ended a five-game winning streak and a four-game winning streak over the Mavericks.

"I think we just went about it the same way as if Dirk was playing," said Jason Kidd, who had 10 points and 11 assists for Dallas. "We didn't make a big emphasis on 'Dirk's out so we've got to get 25 points from one individual.' We've got enough guys who can put the ball in the basket. We have to play defense and as a team we did that tonight."

The Cavaliers fell behind midway through the second quarter and never regained the lead. They came as close as 84-83 in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks pulled away with a 12-4 spurt capped by 3-pointers from Kidd and Jason Terry.

Dallas won for the sixth time in seven games. Both teams are now 20-8.

"That's why they're one of the best teams in the league," James said. "Even without Dirk they've got All-Stars like Josh Howard and Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. Tim Thomas played great tonight. Guys stepped up."

Nowitzki was recovering from a gruesome collision with Houston's Carl Landry on Friday night in which Landry lost five teeth, two of them becoming embedded in Nowitzki's right elbow. He needed several stitches to close the wound and lots of medicine and treatment Saturday, but yesterday he was just too sore, stiff and sensitive to the touch.

"I tried to go a little bit, got some jumpers up before the game, but I just couldn't get my elbow up, couldn't really extend it, so it didn't really make any sense (to play)," Nowitzki said. "Looking at the game now, it was a great decision. We got the win and I got a little rest."

He's hoping to return tomorrow night against Portland.

Lakers 93, Pistons 81: Kobe Bryant scored 28 points as Los Angeles closed a trip with a four-game winning streak and an NBA-best 22-4 record.

Rodney Stuckey scored 16 points for the Pistons.

Celtics 122, Timberwolves 104: Paul Pierce scored 29 points and hit all six of his 3-point attempts, and host Boston scored a season high in points two nights after seeing their 11-game win streak end.

Jonny Flynn scored 21 points for Minnesota.

Grizzlies 102, Nuggets 96: Zach Randolph had 32 points and a career-high 24 rebounds, the highest rebound total in the league this season, as host Memphis snapped an eight-game losing skid to Denver.

Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 41 points.

Trail Blazers 102, Heat 95: Brandon Roy scored 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and LaMarcus Aldridge added 23 for visiting Portland, which trailed by six with 5[0xbd] minutes remaining.

Dwyane Wade scored 28 points and had 10 assists for the Heat, but he was 13 of 31 from the field and didn't have a rebound for only the fourth time in his career.

Raptors 98, Hornets 92: Chris Bosh had 25 points and 11 rebounds, helping Toronto hand New Orleans its 11th loss in 13 road games.

David West had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets.

Knicks 98, Bobcats 94: Wilson Chandler scored 26 points, Danilo Gallinari added 21 and a block of Acie Law's layup to protect a two-point lead with three seconds left as host New York won for the sixth time in eight games.

Raymond Felton had 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Charlotte, which has lost three in a row and five of six.