Final Score: Dallas 110, Phoenix 95

Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points apiece to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 110-95 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Marion also had nine rebounds and five assists in his 1,000th career game.

"He played extremely well. He stepped up his game tonight and I thought he was very aggressive from start to finish," Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said of Marion. "When he's on the floor at forward, Dirk is off the floor. Those are big minutes for us because that's just the time of the game that's very critical. He's been holding the fort really since Dirk's been back in those stretches and did a really good job again tonight."

Vince Carter added 15 points, Elton Brand scored 12 and Dahntay Jones finished with 11 for the Mavericks, winners in six of their last eight games.

Goran Dragic scored 18 points and dished out eight assists, Luis Scola scored 14 points and P.J. Tucker and Michael Beasley added 12 points apiece for the Suns, who fell to 4-19 on the road this season.

"Tonight they beat us in every statistical category, and we can't possibly manage to win games that way," said Suns head coach Lindsey Hunter. "They capitalized on all of our mistakes. They played with a great sense of urgency."

Dallas led 29-21 after the first quarter and took a 57-42 lead into the break.

Phoenix shot 64.7 percent (11-for-17) from the field in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 81-72 entering the final period. Dragic scored eight points in frame.

The Suns scored the first four points of the fourth to pull within 81-76, but the Mavericks erased any thought of a Phoenix comeback with a 19-5 run to go up 100-81 with just over six minutes to go.

Following the game, the Mavericks announced that guard Mike James' contract will be guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

Over nine games with Dallas this season, James has averaged 3.3 points and 1.1 assists per game, including a 10-point performance in the Mavs' 117-114 loss to Oklahoma City on Jan. 18.

"I'm going to announce Mike James' contract will be guaranteed for the rest of the year. The decision has been made. We're happy to announce that. He's done a really terrific, solid job since he's been here, so it's good news for us," Carlisle said.

Game Notes

The Mavs shot 51.1 percent (45-for-88) from the floor ... Dallas scored 23 points off of 18 Phoenix turnovers ... The Mavericks outscored the Suns, 50-40, in the paint ... Phoenix went just 4-for-17 from behind the arc.