Dallas (17-7) at Sacramento (10-12)

Dirk Nowitzki may be the star, but he feels the Dallas Mavericks’ success is a product of team play.

Nowitzki looks to lead the Mavericks (17-7) to their fourth straight win when they visit the Sacramento Kings (10-12) at Arco Arena on Monday.

Dallas has five players averaging double figures in points, headed by Nowitzki’s 23.9. Even though he’s leading the way, he’s more impressed with the cohesiveness he’s developed with his teammates.

“We’re a team that has a lot of options on offense and obviously that’s the way we got to the finals last season,” Nowitzki said after a 90-79 road victory over New Orleans on Saturday. “You can’t be a one-man team if you go to the finals.

“You have to spread it around and attack from a lot of angles and that’s what we did tonight.”

Josh Howard scored 23 points and Nowitzki added 18 of his 20 after halftime as Dallas pulled away after a 40-40 tie at the break. Nowitzki scored 13 points of Dallas’ 30 third-quarter points.

The Mavericks also welcomed back Jerry Stackhouse, who missed the previous four games with a strained right groin. Coming off the bench, Stackhouse was just 1 for 7 and finished with three points.

It was the second straight the game Dallas has held an opponent below 80 points and the fourth time this season. The Mavs held only two opponents below 80 last season through 24 games.

Dallas, however, was unable to contain New Orleans point guard and reigning rookie of the year Chris Paul, who had 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

The Mavs will be facing Mike Bibby, normally one of the league’s best point guards but suffering through the worst shooting season of his nine-year career. Bibby is connecting on a career-low 36.0 percent of his shots and was 6-of-22 from the field in a 105-98 loss to Phoenix on Saturday.

The Kings have lost seven of their last nine games, starting with a 109-90 loss at Dallas on Dec. 1. Bibby made 3-of-9 shots for a season-low nine points in that one.

Dallas prevailed despite one of Nowitzki’s worst shooting efforts of the season. He made 4-of-15 shots, but converted all 10 free throws to finish with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Sacramento could be without leading scorer Kevin Martin, who scored 23 points before leaving Saturday’s loss with a sprained right ankle with 4:25 remaining in the third quarter. He landed on an opponent’s foot while feeding Brad Miller for a basket and is listed as questionable.

“My ankle is as good as it can be and I’m going straight home tonight,” said Martin, who’s averaging 21.3 points per game. “We’ll see how I feel in the morning.”

The Kings have dropped five of their last eight at Arco Arena after a 4-0 start there. The Mavericks have won seven of their last 11 visits.