Mavericks coach Don Nelson admitted it was difficult for him to remain focused leading up to Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz.

Apparently, his team also lost its focus during the latter stages of the fourth quarter. However, forward Dirk Nowitzki hit four late free throws, and the Mavericks held off the Jazz 106-103 before a sellout crowd of 20,146 at American Airlines Center.


The victory moves to Mavericks (28-12) into a virtual tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the fourth spot in the Western Conference.


Nelson's wife, Joy, is scheduled to have breast cancer surgery Monday. Nelson said he didn't believe he coached his team very well during the critical moments of a game that nearly got away.


"I'll take a couple of days off, and I think it's good because I didn't feel I did a very good job down the stretch," Nelson said. "It's been kind of difficult to concentrate the way I need to because of my wife's situation."