Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 42 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to an 88-84 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Nowitzki scored 15 fourth-quarter points and hit four key free throws in the final 18 seconds as Dallas (9-4) won its second straight game. Jason Terry scored 16 points and Jason Kidd had 10 assists for the Mavericks.

Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points apiece for Detroit (5-9), which rallied from an early 12-point deficit and squandered a 12-point third-quarter lead.

It was the 16th career 40-point game for Nowitzki, who consistently frustrated the Pistons all game. He scored nine points in the opening quarter, eight in the second and 10 in the third before his big final quarter.

Nowitzki was 13-for-23 from the field and made all three 3-pointers. He also hit 13-of-16 free throws.

The contest marked the third time Nowitzki has scored 35 or more points this season. He had 36 points against Chicago earlier this week and scored 35 against Denver on Nov. 3.

Caron Butler added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks.