Dirk Nowitzki was listed as probably for last night's game against Houston but didn't play, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram.  Perhaps it was thought he was not needed.

But, the Rockets woke up in the second half and came back from 20 down to force overtime and ultimately beat the Mavs 98-95.

The loss puts Dallas in a tie with San Antonio at 54-24.  There are four games left in the season, but San Antonio holds the tiebreaker with a 3-1 edge in head-to-head competition.  Which means the Midwest Division title -- and the second seed in the playoffs -- is the Spurs' to lose.