Dallas ? A spectacular half and a late surge by Tony Parker couldn?t save the San Antonio Spurs from the brink of elimination as the Dallas Mavericks won 99-90 for a 3-1 lead in their NBA playoffs series.

Josh Howard scored 28 points, seven in an early second-half spurt that put the Mavericks ahead to stay.

Parker had 31 of his 43 points by halftime, matching George Gervin?s team playoff record for points in a half.

Without an incredible comeback onTuesday in San Antonio, the Spurs will be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They have been in every postseason since and won three NBA titles.

After Parker and Duncan, with 25 points and 10 rebounds, helped push the Spurs to a 55-51 halftime lead, Howard hit a 3-pointer to open the second half. By the time Howard made another three minutes later, after Jason Kidd hit one, Dallas led 64-58. Dirk Nowitzki was held to 12 points, but had 13 rebounds. Kidd scored 17.


Lakers 108, Jazz 94

At Salt Lake City, Kobe Bryant followed his worst shooting game in years by scoring 38 points to lead Los Angeles over Utah for a 3-1 series advantage.

Bryant, who was 16-for-24, scored Los Angeles? first 11 points and once his teammates joined in, the Lakers overwhelmed the Jazz and moved within one game of advancing to the second round.

Lamar Odom had 10 points and 15 rebounds and Pau Gasol added 13 points for the Lakers, who host Game 5 on Monday.

Deron Williams had 23 points and 13 assists and Carlos Boozer also scored 23 and pulled down 16 rebounds for Utah.


Hornets 95, Nuggets 93

At New Orleans, Chris Paul played as hard and long as needed to give New Orleans a desperately needed victory.

Paul had 32 points and 12 assists in 46 minutes, helping to cut Denver?s lead in the first-round series to 2-1.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points for Denver, but missed a jumper that could have put the Nuggets in the lead with under 5 seconds left. James Posey, playing with a sprained knee, corralled the rebound. /AP