Dirk Nowitzki, listed as doubtful due to a sprained left ankle, had 34 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 110-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.

Michael Finley had 31 points and Steve Nash added 16 for the Mavericks, who are off to a 4-1 start.

Nowitzki incurred the injury in Friday night?s loss at Toronto and missed Sunday?s victory at Memphis. The Mavericks were without key reserves Greg Buckner and Adrian Griffin, so Nowitzki started at center with the ankle heavily wrapped in coach Don Nelson?s "small ball" lineup.

Buckner was out with a sprained right ankle and Griffin was at a local hospital with his wife, who gave birth earlier Tuesday night.

Elden Campbell?s 17 points and 10 rebounds paced the Hornets, who fell to 2-2. David Wesley added 16 points, with Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn contributing 14 each.

The Mavericks shot 50 percent from the field (22-for-44) to build 54-37 halftime lead behind 14 points each from Nowitzki and Finley.

Dallas opened the third quarter with a 12-5 run capped by Nowitzki?s three-point play for a 66-43 lead.

Charlotte closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run capped by consecutive baskets by Davis to narrow the deficit to 80-69 entering the final quarter.

Lee Nailon opened the fourth quarter with a dunk to pull Charlotte to 80-71, but that was as close as the Hornets would get.