Mavericks enjoy night of big winning streaks

The Dallas Mavericks’ 20th consecutive home victory and 12th straight overall was the picture of precision.

Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and eight rebounds and Jason Terry added 21 points as the Mavericks extended their club-record home winning streak Monday night by cruising to a 110-87 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Mavericks are the first team in NBA history with three winning streaks of 12 or more in a season, having already had runs of 12 and 13 games.

Dallas shot 54% from the field, went seven of 14 from three-point range, and converted 18 Atlanta turnovers into 25 points.

“We shouldn’t have anybody out there who’s tired when you’re winning and having the success we are,” said Jerry Stackhouse, who had 19 points and nine assists. “When Chicago was on its great runs, they didn’t know it was cold outside. That’s how we feel right now. We can’t wait ‘til the next game.”

Dallas has won 47 of 52 after losing its first four games, improving to a league-best 47-9 record. The Mavericks haven’t lost at home since a defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 7.

The only bad news for the Mavericks came in the fourth quarter when Josh Howard sprained his right ankle. He finished with 20 points and is listed as day-to-day. “Hopefully he should be OK,” Mavericks Coach Avery Johnson said.

Joe Johnson had 29 points for Atlanta.

New York 99, Miami 93 -- Stephon Marbury scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to help the host Knicks overcome a six-point deficit in sending the Heat to 1-2 since Dwyane Wade suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Jason Kapono led Miami with 24 points. Heat center Shaquille O’Neal scored 20 points to become the 14th player to reach 25,000 for his career.

Boston 77, Houston 72 -- The Celtics ended a 12-game road losing streak behind Paul Pierce’s 28 points. The Rockets played without Tracy McGrady (flu) and Yao Ming (leg).

Boston rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to avoid matching the franchise record for consecutive road losses.

Bonzi Wells led the Rockets with a season-high 27 points.

Orlando 94, Chicago 87 -- Dwight Howard had 21 points and 16 rebounds to help the visiting Magic end a four-game losing streak.

Ben Gordon scored 32 points for Chicago, which played its fourth game in five days.

Denver 111, Memphis 107 -- Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points, Nene added 27 and Allen Iverson had 25 at Memphis to held the Nuggets end a four-game losing streak and prevent the Grizzlies from winning consecutive games for the first time this season.

Memphis was led by Mike Miller and Pau Gasol, who scored 21 points apiece.

San Antonio 107, Toronto 91 -- The Spurs led by as many as 30 points at San Antonio to extend their winning streak to a season-high six games.

Tony Parker scored 27 points and Tim Duncan had 24 points and 16 rebounds for San Antonio. Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 17 points.

Seattle 97, Portland 73 -- Rashard Lewis had 29 points and seven rebounds and the SuperSonics never trailed in winning at Seattle.

Ray Allen added 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Travis Outlaw led Portland with 14 points.

Philadelphia 89, Sacramento 82 -- The 76ers used a late 12-5 run to win at Philadelphia.

Samuel Dalembert had 20 points and 17 rebounds for the 76ers. Kevin Martin had 23 points for the Kings, who finished 1-3 on their trip.

Ron Artest, starting again after missing Sunday’s game at Indiana for personal reasons, had 13 points for the Kings.