The Dirk side

DALLAS: The Dallas Mavericks extended their franchise-record home winning streak to 20 games with a 110-87 thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, easing to a victory that was also their 12th straight overall. 

 

Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks to help Dallas improve to 27-3 at home with their 47th victory in 52 games after starting the season 0-4. Jason Terry added 21 points for the winners, who are one of just four teams in NBA history to have three winning streaks of 10 or more games in the same season. Dallas already enjoyed a 13-game streak and another 12-game run earlier this year.

 

It may have been a costly victory for the Mavericks, however, as Josh Howard left the game with a sprained right ankle with 6:11 to play after scoring 20 points. Howard was already playing with a sore ankle and had to be helped off the court after diving for a loose ball.

 

He is listed as day-to-day but did make the trip with the team to Minnesota after the game.

 

In New York, Stephon Marbury scored 25 points as the New York Knicks beat the Miami Heat 99-93.

 

Shaquille O’Neal became the 14th player to reach 25,000 points in his career with a 20-point game, but Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was pleased with his team’s effort against the defending champions.

 

The San Antonio Spurs extended their season-high winning streak to six games with a 107-91 win over the Toronto Raptors.