Dallas 96, Cleveland 86

Mavericks 96, Cavaliers 86: Rodrigue Beaubois scored 18 points in 22 minutes off the bench to lift host Dallas to its fifth win in six games.

Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright and Darren Collison had 13 points apiece for the Mavericks, who shot 55.7 percent (34-for-61) inside the arc and held a 46-36 advantage in points in the paint.

All five Cavaliers' starters scored in double figures, led by Dion Waiters' 21 points. Fellow rookie Tyler Zeller had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Cleveland never trailed until a Collison basket put the hosts up 55-54 midway through the third, but the Cavaliers stayed close and regained the lead at 71-70 on a Waiters basket with 11 minutes left. Beaubois scored 12 seconds later and soon added two free throws and a 3-pointer to key a decisive 15-2 burst.

After a Waiters basket with 9:32 to go, Cleveland went nearly five minutes without a point. It never got closer than eight points after ending the drought.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas' starters combined to shoot 17-for-44 (38.6 percent). The reserves were 24-for-38 (63.2 percent). ... Mavericks rookie F Jae Crowder had a season-high 14 rebounds. ... Since missing two games and playing limited minutes in a third due to an illness, Waiters has scored at least 20 points in three straight.

• Dallas will play their next game at home against Oklahoma City. The Mavericks have a W/L % of .452 after a win and .500 after a loss.
• Cleveland will play their next game on the road against San Antonio . The Cavaliers have a W/L % of .318 after a win and .349 after a loss.