Mavericks dump Knicks as Lin struggles

NEW YORK – Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points to power the Dallas Mavericks over the New York Knicks 95-85 on Tuesday, denying Knicks star Jeremy Lin another highlight-filled victory over the reigning NBA champions.

Lin, whose parents were born in Taiwan, became a global sensation last month for the Knicks, coming off the bench to spark the Knicks to a seven-game win streak with big-scoring, clutch shooting and inspired passing.

But the Knicks have since gone 3-5.

Lin scored 28 points, passed out 14 assists and made five steals in New York’s 104-97 victory over Dallas last month.

But on Tuesday, Lin made only 4-of-13 shots from the field to finish with 14 points, although he did contribute a game-high seven assists for the Knicks, who were led by Amare Stoudemire’s 26 points.

The Knicks shot only 38 percent from the field as a team, with superstar Camelo Anthony going a woeful 2-of-12 and scoring only six points.

Dallas ran off 14 consecutive points for a 91-78 lead with 1:59 to play to secure the triumph. German playmaker Nowitzki scored 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Rodrigue Beaubois came off the bench to score 18 points while Jason Kidd scored a season-high 15 points for the Mavericks, who improved to 23-17 to remain sixth in the Western Conference.

The Knicks fell to 18-20, remaining eighth in the Eastern Conference.