Vince Carter capped a 22-point performance with a 3-pointer that gave Dallas the lead with 6.5 seconds left, and the Mavericks held on for their third straight victory, 104-100 over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points for the Mavericks, while Elton Brand added 13 points and Darren Collison 11, including a pair of key free throws in the final seconds.

Eric Gordon scored 23 for the Hornets, who have lost three straight. Anthony Davis added 10 points and 11 rebounds, but left the game in the third quarter with a sprained right knee.

Davis eventually returned to the bench with more than eight minutes to go, and Hornets officials said he was available to return, but he did little more than pedal a stationary bike and watch the finish from the bench.

Jason Smith added a season-high 22 points for New Orleans and Ryan Anderson had 20, including a 3 that gave the Hornets a 100-96 lead with 55.5 seconds left.

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