Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half, and Jason Terry had 19 to help the surging Dallas Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-94 on Thursday night.
Nowitzki was 12-of-18 from the field and scored on power moves and jumpers despite playing the second half in foul trouble. Josh Howard added 15 points for Dallas, 15-4 in its last 19 games after opening 2-7.
The Trail Blazers had won 13 straight Christmas games.
The Mavericks closed the game with a 12-2 run, while Roy went 0-for-3 in the final 3:33 for Portland.
Josh Howard was ejected after picking up a flagrant foul and two technical fouls in the third quarter.
Howard sent 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla sprawling to the floor, then was hit with a technical for jawing with Przybilla and got the second one seconds later.
