The Dallas Mavericks beat the visiting Miami Heat 86-83 Tuesday night to level the National Basketball Association's championship series at two games apiece.

The Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, despite playing the entire game with a fever of 38 degrees Celsius. Dallas trailed 74-65

midway through the fourth quarter before staging yet another late game comeback, which has been the team's hallmark during the NBA playoffs. Jason Terry finished with 17 points, including two crucial free throws with six seconds left in the game.

Dwayne Wade led the Heat with a game-high 32 points, but fumbled an inbound pass on Miami's final possession, forcing him to knock the ball to teammate Mike Miller, who missed a desperation three-point shot that would have tied the game.

LeBron James scored just eight points for the Heat.

Game five of the best-of-seven series is set for Thursday in Dallas.