http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/314898.htmlFor the second time in three seasons, the Mavs overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors, this time 105-99, in front of 20,272 at American Airlines Center who groaned through the first half, then couldn’t sit down in the second.

“We weren’t happy with ourselves, the fans weren’t happy with us, but boy, they hung in there with us and were really patient,” coach Avery Johnson said. “We got them into the game in the third quarter, so it was a good Thanksgiving gift.”

Nowitzki’s four 3-balls sent the Mavs sailing into the fourth quarter leading 79-72 after having trailed 49-25 midway through the second and 55-41 at the half.

“Dirk was awesome,” said point guard Devin Harris, who had 19 points, with 14 in the second quarter to get the Mavs back in the game. “We’ve been waiting for that shot to come around and it came around when we needed it most.”

Tying the franchise’s second-largest comeback — the largest was 25 against Denver in 1994 — enabled the Mavs to beat the Raptors for the eighth straight time, sweep the four-game homestand and improve to 8-2 heading into a three-game road trip, which starts tonight at Houston.