Brand helps Mavs hold off Rockets

James Harden drove to the basket with his potent left hand, intent on breaking a late tie against the Dallas Mavericks.

His layup attempt never reached the rim.

Elton Brand's critical block led to a pair of tiebreaking free throws by O.J. Mayo, and Dirk Nowitzki hit several big shots and finished with 19 points to turn back a Jeremy Lin-led rally in the Mavericks' 105-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.