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Nash and Nowitzki combined to score 10 points in the final five
minutes as the Dallas Mavericks barely held on for a 127-121
victory over the New York Knicks.
Houston and Marbury combined to score 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks rallied from a 15-point deficit. But the duo looked sluggish in overtime and was held scoreless until Marbury made a meaningless layup in the final seconds.
Marbury played 52 minutes and Houston 47 as neither left the court after returning from the bench in the second quarter. They combined for 67 points on 25-of-49 shooting and 16 assists but disappeared after regulation.
"I didn't even pay any attention to (the minutes)," Marbury said. "It was just like playing in the park. I was just having fun out there. This is what it's all about."
The Mavericks had a 115-109 edge with 10 seconds to go in the fourth, but Marbury made three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer. He deflected the ensuing inbounds pass to Houston, who buried a three-pointer with five seconds left to force overtime.
Nowitzki opened overtime with a jumper and Nash followed with fast-break layup after stealing the ball from Marbury. New York's Anfernee Hardaway made a pair of free throws, but Nash responded with a tough fallaway jumper with 2:05 left.
"I was just lucky to get it going," Nash said. "I was self-confident and had a sense of desperation. I desperately wanted to win the game."
Hardaway answered with a layup, but Nash buried a short jumper in the lane for a 123-119 edge and Dallas followed with four straight free throws, including a pair by Nowitzki, to seal the game.
After scoring 29 points on 11-of-20 shooting in the fourth quarter, the Knicks made only 2-of-9 shots in overtime.
"It was almost like going into overtime, we were still exhaling a little bit, instead of getting ready for overtime," Houston said. "They made the first punch and that hurt us and took the momentum right away."
Nowitzki finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds and Nash had 28 points and eight assists for Dallas, which won for just the fifth time in 18 road games this season.
"It's not easy when you get your heart broken," Dallas coach Don Nelson said. "Normally, you don't win that game. Luckily, we did."
Michael Finley had 25 points and 10 assists and Antoine Walker had a triple-double with 14, 12 and 11 assists for the Mavericks, who shot better than 49 percent (50-of-101), including 12-of-29 from three-point range.
Marbury had his best game since joining the Knicks with 38 points and 14 assists. he had just 28 points in his first three games with New York combined.
"I'm just so happy to be playing here," Marbury said. "(Madison Square Garden) elevates my game. It brings a lot of things out of me."
"He was excellent on both ends," Knicks coach Don Chaney said. "It's obvious that he scored well. He did some great things on the defensive end as well. He played a very well-balanced game."
Marbury scored 27 points after halftime and Houston had 15 of his 29 points in the fourth, but the Knicks lost for the fifth time in six games.
"You have to stay positive," Marbury said. "We are going to get better. When you get down (20) points it is tough, especially against a team that can shoot."
Hardaway scored 19 points in his first start with New York as he took the place of injured forward Keith Van Horn, who is sidelined with a right patella bone bruise.
Despite the absence of one of their better shooters, the Knicks made 52 percent (48-of-93) shots, including 10-of-26 three-pointers, and posted their highest score of the season.