DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki and Devean George each sparked crucial rallies with consecutive 3-pointers, helping the Dallas Mavericks overcome 45 points by Tracy McGrady in a 109-96 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady (1) is pressured by Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, of Germany, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, in Dallas. Dallas won 109-96. [AP]

McGrady scored 21 points in the first quarter and had 29 at halftime. He made a 3-pointer that put Houston up 65-52 midway through the third quarter, but it couldn't last.

George answered with a pair of 3s, sparking a 15-2 run that let Dallas tie it. A few minutes later, Nowitzki powered a 20-4 run that he finished off with back-to-back 3s, celebrating each with gusto.

Nowitzki, who was named the conference player of the week earlier in the day, had 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Josh Howard added 28 points and George scored 14 with six assists. Jerry Stackhouse scored 13.

Dallas avenged a 31-point loss at Houston earlier this season and tightened its claim as the hottest team in Texas.

The Mavericks have won five straight games and 18 of 19. The Rockets had won four straight and nine of 10.

McGrady scored Houston's first 12 points and 16 of 18, but obviously couldn't keep it up. Problem was, his roll prevented any of his teammates from getting into a groove. No other Rockets player had more than a single basket until there was 1:51 left until halftime.

McGrady topped his season high a few minutes into the third quarter, but by then the Mavericks were mixing up his defenders and sending different guys at him on double teams. He wound up heading for the bench with 2:14 left and went to the locker room with more than a minute to play.

McGrady may have just needed to ice his shooting arm after going 17-of-29, including 4-of-9 on 3s, plus 7-of-9 from the foul line. He also had a team-high seven assists and added five rebounds.

The rest of the Rockets made just as many baskets (17) but needed 46 shots. Juwan Howard scored 16 points and Rafer Alston had 12. Dikembe Mutombo had 10 rebounds.

McGrady's amazing start was reminiscent of the game two years ago when he had 47 in an overtime loss in Dallas.

After drawing a quick foul on the first possession, he used his 5-inch height advantage to nail a jumper over Devin Harris then went back on defense laughing and shaking his head. The next time Houston had the ball, Dallas coach Avery Johnson called for Howard to cover McGrady ¡ª and he nailed another jumper just as easily. A long fade came next, then a layup in which he blew by Nowitzki near the foul line.

When he finally let a teammate have the ball, Mutombo traveled. The game was nearly five minutes old when someone else scored for Houston.

McGrady scored against six different Dallas defenders in the opening quarter, three of them defensive specialists off the bench.

The Mavericks finally began aggressive double teams and McGrady found points harder to come by. His only field goal in the second quarter was a 3 in the final half-minute. He was 5-of-12 in the third quarter, taking half his shots behind the 3-point line.