Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki scores 40 in overtime win over Portland

Why the Mavs won: Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams simply refused to let the Dallas Mavericks lose another home game.

Both players had one of their best games of the season Sunday and the Dallas Mavericks held on and collected a key 132-120 overtime victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center.

Nowitzki scored a season-high 40 points for the Mavs, who snapped a five-game home losing streak. It was the first 40-point game for Nowitzki since Jan. 11, 2014 and the 20th of his career.

Also for the Mavs, Williams scored 12 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Williams ran such a polished floor game that he also finished with a season-high 16 assists.

The win gave the Mavs a 2-0 record against the Blazers and clinched the season series in case the two teams wind up with identical records when the season ends.

Key players: In addition to the bushel of points by Nowitzki, and the 31 points they got from Deron Williams, the Mavs got 15 points from former Portland guard Wesley Matthews. Also, Salah Mejri collected 13 points, a season-high 14 rebounds and six blocks. The Mavs were a plus 30 with Mejri on the court.

Key stat: The Mavs were 15 of 25 from 3-point range and also held the Blazers to 40.4 percent shooting from the field.

Records: Blazers 36-35, Mavs 35-35

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki scores 40 in overtime win over Portland."