DALLAS, Jan. 21 (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets learned that Dirk Nowitzki is dangerous with or without the shaggy hair.

The 7-footer from Germany scored 39 points, including nine in a decisive 17-1 fourth-quarter run, as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 113-105 victory over the Nets.

NBA.comTV highlights from Nets-Mavericks: 56k | 300k Greg Buckner and the newly shorn Dirk Nowitzki go up for a rebound in the Mavs' win over the Nets. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

Nowitzki fell just shy of tying his career high of 40 set in a win at Atlanta on Tuesday. But before a game at Memphis on Thursday, Nowitzki decided to shave his blond hair down to a short nub that barely was visible.

Even without the locks, Nowitzki has continued to dominate and Monday afternoon was no exception. Too quick for Nets forward Keith Van Horn and too tall for Kenyon Martin, Nowitzki had 23 points by halftime and was virtually unstoppable down the stretch as the Mavs outscored the Nets, 21-6, in the final six minutes. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.

"I just stayed aggressive and got my rhythm back in the end," Nowitzki said. "It's nice to know that we can finish games off at the end."

Meanwhile, former Maverick Jason Kidd -- the primary force in New Jersey's transformation from laughingstock to Eastern Conference leaders -- missed his first 15 shots and did not score until hitting a meaningless 3-pointer with 25 seconds left. He finished 1-of-17 from the field, but contributed 15 assists to surpass 5,000 in his career.

"I missed a couple of shots in the beginning and I stopped having confidence for some odd reason," Kidd said. "Even though I didn't shoot good, we still had a chance to win."

"We talked about in the pregame how we had to stop him (Kidd) and as a collective unit we did a good job," Mavericks forward Juwan Howard said.

Lucious Harris, another former Maverick, led the Nets with a season-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting off the bench. His 3-pointer capped a 9-0 run which opened a 99-92 lead with 6:03 left.

But the Mavs scored the next eight points to start the decisive run, and the Nets did not get another basket until Kidd made his 3-pointer.

Nash hit an arcing jumper in the lane and two free throws, Howard scored on a dunk and Nowitzki converted a pair at the line to give the Mavs a 100-99 lead with 4:23 left.

Kidd set up a drive by Martin, who was fouled and converted 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game with 4:02 remaining.

But Nowitzki could not be stopped. He drew a foul on Martin and converted two free throws to give Dallas a 102-100 lead with 2:49 left. After Kidd had a pass intercepted by Eduardo Najera for his sixth turnover, Nowitzki faked Van Horn with a crossover dribble and drilled a shot from the right elbow with 1:51 to go.

Kidd missed a running banker to extend the drought and Nowitzki again faked Van Horn, this time with an up-and-under move to draw a foul. He hit 1-of-2 free throws with 1:36 to play.

After Kerry Kittles missed a floater in the lane, Nowitzki hit a 16-foot jumper from the right sideline over Martin, opening a 107-100 lead with 1:09 remaining.

Kidd misfired on a 3-pointer before Nash made a pair from the line with 47 seconds left to cap the run. Nash added four more free throws in the final 21 seconds.

Dallas coach Don Nelson missed the game to be with his wife, Joy, who underwent breast cancer surgery Monday. Nelson's son, Donn, filled in Monday and will also coach for Dallas' next game Tuesday at Houston.

"We played one heck of a team tonight," Donn Nelson said. "I can see why they are the best in the East. Dirk hit all the big baskets for us and we played good defense down the stretch."

The win was the fourth in a row and seventh in eight games for the Mavs, who improved to 29-12 and set a franchise record for most wins in the first half of a season.

Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Nash finished with 19 points.

The loss was just the second in nine games for the Nets, who started a four-game road trip with the "Texas Triangle" that continues Tuesday in San Antonio.

Martin, who attended high school in Dallas, had 21 points for New Jersey.

"My mom sat behind the bench and it felt good to play here," Martin said. "Unfortunately, we let the game get away from us."

Nowitkzi and Howard combined for 18 points in the first quarter, when the Mavs built a 30-17 lead.

The Mavs maintained a double-figure lead until Harris ignited an 11-2 run with a 3-pointer and a pair of jumpers from the right sideline, pulling the Nets within 45-44 with 3:42 left in the second quarter.

But a 3-pointer and a short jumper by Nash helped the Mavs get the lead to 56-49 at halftime.

After Howard hit 1-of-2 free throws to start the second half, the Nets scored 10 straight points to take the lead. Martin capped the run with a dunk with 9:17 left in the third quarter.

An 8-0 run gave the Nets their biggest lead at 72-63. Martin scored six points, but failed in his attempt to dunk over 7-6 Shawn Bradley, who was assessed a flagrant foul when Martin crashed to the court.

The Mavs closed the third quarter with a 14-6 spurt to pull within 81-80 as Nowitzki converted 7-of-8 free throws. He finished 16-of-18 from the line.