Rookie Maurice Ager scored 16 points, including four free throws in the final 55 seconds, to help the Dallas Mavericks rally for a 93-90 exhibition victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Dallas, which trailed by 13 in the fourth quarter, ended the game with a 17-1 run, capped by Ager's two free throws with 33 seconds remaining for the final margin.

Ager, Dallas' first-round pick from Michigan State, also made two free throws with 55 seconds left to put the Mavericks ahead for good at 91-90.

Dallas' Ndudi Ebi blocked a layup attempt by Washington's Caron Butler with 21 seconds to play to preserve the Mavericks' three-point lead.

Josh Howard scored 15 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks (2-4). Dallas shot 38 per cent from the field.

Jarvis Hayes scored 21 points, Antonio Daniels added 15, and Butler had 14 for the Wizards (3-3).

Hayes, coming back from a season-ending fractured right patella, converted all three three-pointers he attempted in the opening half and scored 19 first-half points.

Dallas' Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Anthony Johnson and Erick Dampier did not play because of minor injuries.