For the second consecutive day, the Dallas Mavericks lost a tough overtime road game against one of the teams they're competing with in the Western Conference.

The younger legs of the Utah Jazz proved to be the difference as the minutes started reaching into the 50's for the top players on both teams, with Utah repeatedly coming up for loose balls as the game wore on and on.

Dirk Nowitzki had one of his best performances of the season, scoring 40 points on 13-26 shooting while getting 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

However, he was matched by Al Jefferson, who had a 28 point, 25 rebounds performance, including multiple step-back jumpers over Dallas defenders in the extra session.

Utah needed the win to stay in the playoff race, while the Mavericks have will little time to rest before they go home to face an equally desperate Houston team on Wednesday night.

For more news and notes on the Mavericks, check out Mavs Moneyball.