DALLAS — Dallas newcomer Caron Butler started a key third-quarter run that led to the Dallas Mavericks' 107-97 win over the Phoenix Suns in Wednesday's clash of two NBA Western Conference contenders.

Butler, acquired from Washington in a seven-player deal Saturday, scored 15 points and hit a jumper to open a 16-4 run in the third.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points for Dallas, which maintained a one-game lead in the Southwest Division.

Amare Stoudemire, mentioned in trade rumors in recent days, had 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, who had their five-game road winning streak snapped.

Jazz 98, Hornets 90
In New Orleans, Paul Millsap scored 24 points on 11 of 13 shooting as Utah downed New Orleans.

Carlos Boozer scored six of his 16 points in the last 3:06, and added 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who crept within one game of Northwest-leading Denver.

The Hornets were led by rookie Darren Collison, who had 24 points and nine assists.

Magic 116, Pistons 91
In Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard had a season-high 33 points and added 17 rebounds to help Orlando beat Detroit.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year added seven blocks in a dominating performance. He was also 11 for 13 on free throws — a refreshing change from his normal woes.

Vince Carter finished with 20 points for the Magic.

Detroit was topped by Richard Hamilton's 36 points.

Grizzlies 109, Raptors 102 (OT)
In Toronto, Rudy Gay scored eight of his 29 points in overtime to help Memphis edge Toronto and snap a five-game losing streak.

Zach Randolph had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis.

Chris Bosh had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto, which lost its first home game in nine.

Hawks 110, Clippers 92
In Los Angeles, Al Horford scored a career-high 31 points in his 200th NBA game and Atlanta handed Los Angeles its sixth straight loss.

Josh Smith had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Joe Johnson added 18 points for Atlanta. Chris Kaman had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who are winless in five games since Kim Hughes replaced Mike Dunleavy as head coach.

Rockets 127, Bucks 99
In Milwaukee, Trevor Ariza hit a career-high six 3-pointers, scoring 22 points and lifting Houston to a comfortable win over Milwaukee.

In all, Houston hit 16 shots from beyond the arc — one short of the franchise record. Shane Battier was 6 of 6 from 3-point range, one short of his career high, and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The 127 points was a season high for the Rockets, who also shot a season-best 57.5 percent from the field.

Rookie Brandon Jennings scored 13 points for Milwaukee.

Spurs 90, Pacers 87
In Indianapolis, Tony Parker came back from injury to score 28 points and lead San Antonio to a tight victory over Indiana.

Parker has missed the final game before the All-Star break with a strained hip flexor.

Tim Duncan had just eight points on 4-for-23 shooting, but had 26 rebounds and five assists for the Spurs.

Danny Granger scored 23 points for Indiana.

Bulls 115, Knicks 109
In New York, Derrick Rose scored 27 points as Chicago downed New York.

Luol Deng added 23 for the Bulls, wh ocame from 15 points down to move above .500 at 27-26 and hand the Knicks their fifth straight loss.

Al Harrington scored 27 points for New York.

Heat 87, Nets 84
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Miami overcame the early loss of All-Star MVP Dwyane Wade to beat New Jersey for its season-high fourth straight victory.

Wade strained his left calf in the first quarter and did not return. He finished with eight points, snapping his streak of 148 straight games in double figures, the second-longest active streak in the NBA behind LeBron James (255).

Michael Beasley had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, while Brook Lopez had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets.

Warriors 130, Kings 98
In Oakland, California, C.J. Watson scored a career-high 40 points as Golden State routed Sacramento.

Watson scored 23 points in the first half, matching his season high for a game, and made 15 of his first 16 shots. He also had seven rebounds and six assists.

Stephen Curry had a career-best 15 assists for Golden State to complement 24 points and six rebounds.

Tyreke Evans had 17 points and 10 assists for the Kings.

Wizards 108, Timberwolves 99
In Washington, Andray Blatche, a last-minute substitution for Antawn Jamison, scored a career-high 33 points and had 13 rebounds for Washington in the win over Minnesota.

The Wizard traded Jamison to Cleveland after the game in a three-team swap that sent Drew Gooden to the Los Angeles Clippers. Washington received Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a 2010 first-round draft pick and the rights to Emir Preldzic, who was selected in the second round of last year's draft from Cleveland.

The Wizards also received forward Al Thornton from Los Angeles. Cleveland received guard Sebastian Telfair from the Clippers.

Al Jefferson led Minnesota with 18 points.

Source: AP