Dallas ? The Dallas Mavericks found out they could win without playing their best, even against the defending champs.

Despite shooting just 37 percent and barely holding on after building a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 95-92, Thursday night.

“For us to win an ugly game like that is important,” said Steve Nash, who made three straight free throws in the 16 seconds after the Spurs got within a basket.

“That’s a good sign to show we’re capable of beating a good team.”

The Mavericks never trailed after Michael Finley scored six of his 17 points during a game-turning run in the third quarter. Still, they had to sweat it out at the end with their worst shooting game (31 of 84) in a win this season.

San Antonio used an 11-2 spurt to get to 88-82 on Manu Ginobili’s three-pointer with 2:46 left. By the time Tim Duncan drove down the lane virtually untouched for a dunk, it was 92-90 with 18 seconds left.

But Nash hit his free throws and the Spurs, playing their first game in Dallas since clinching the Western Conference finals with an incredible Game 6 comeback here last May, couldn’t get closer. Tony Parker and Duncan missed three-pointers in the final 10 seconds.

“Although they came back, we had enough to protect our lead,” said Mavericks coach Don Nelson.

“Let’s not forget that they are the champs and they had a full roster. It was an awful good win for us.”

San Antonio's Rasho Nesterovic, bottom, falls as teammate Tim Duncan blocks the shot of Dallas' Antoine Walker. The Mavericks won Thursday at Dallas.

When the Mavericks won 81-78 at San Antonio two weeks ago, the Spurs played without Duncan and Parker. Duncan had 30 points and 17 rebounds, but Parker struggled for nine points.

Rasho Nesterovic had 18 points.

“It was frustrating at times,” Duncan said. “But I thought we learned something. We played hard. We got down a bunch of points and found a way to fight back into it.”

Finley’s 14-foot jumper less than two minutes into the second half put the Mavericks ahead 50-49. It also ignited the 12-2 spurt that put Dallas in the lead to stay.

Even though Finley made just 5 of 17 shots, he was the difference in the third quarter. He added a jumper and after his ally-oop dunk from Shawn Bradley, the Mavericks led 60-51.

Finley also made both of his free throws after Anthony Carter was called for a flagrant foul for grabbing Finley’s jersey on a break after a steal. Finley was upset, and had to be separated from Carter before hitting the free throws.

Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and Antoine Walker had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won all six home games this season.

Nash, coming off his first career triple-double, didn’t get into double-figure scoring until his free throws. He had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Dallas got within 47-46 after Nowitzki’s three-pointer off the break just before halftime.

Duncan’s layup early in the second quarter gave the Spurs a 29-21 lead, their largest. Dallas then scored seven straight points, but didn’t go back ahead until the third quarter.

Suns 96, Magic 89

Phoenix — Shawn Marion led seven Phoenix players in double figures with 16 points, helping the Suns spoil Johnny Davis’ debut as Orlando’s coach.

The loss was the 11th in a row for Orlando, which won its opener and has gone on to the worst start in franchise history.

The Magic went into the game hoping for a fresh start under Davis, who replaced new Doc Rivers Monday. But the game took on aspects of the season, as Tracy McGrady’s 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds weren’t quite enough.

Tyronn Lue had 14 points and Drew Gooden added 13 and eight rebounds for the Magic, who also had two reserves in double figures.