Another dandy dozen for Dallas

Devin Harris added a career-high 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 for Dallas, which has won 12 in a row twice this season. The Mavs’ first such streak came after starting the season 0-4.

The current winning streak is two shy of a franchise-record, which came at the start of the 2002-03 season.

Al Harrington had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana, which lost despite dominating on the glass by a 50-38 margin. Jermaine O’Neal tallied 20 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots in a losing cause as the Pacers blew an eight-point lead in the third quarter.

Erick Dampier’s block led to Harris’ fast-break layup, giving Dallas the lead for good at 81-80 with 8:17 remaining. Harris’ two free throws and Howard’s three-point play moved the margin to 86-80.

Harrington’s jumper had the Pacers within 86-85 with 5:35 remaining, but the Mavs scored the next six. Nowitzki hit a couple of free throws, and after Jamaal Tinsley missed a shot, Harris made a layup. Nowitzki’s jumper capped the burst for a 92-85 margin with 4:25 remaining.

Indiana again got close, as O’Neal was fouled by Devean George with 2:29 left, and the Pacers forward hit both from the charity stripe for a 92-89 contest. However, after four Dallas misses, four offensive rebounds and a jump ball, the Mavericks scored again with Howard receiving a pass from Nowitzki for an alley-oop jam and subsequent three-point play with 1:47 to go.

Harris hit two free throws and then completed a three-point play with under a minute left for a 100-89 margin, keeping Dallas’ winning streak intact going to a Friday night contest at San Antonio.

George ended with 13 points for Dallas, which shot 46.3 percent from the field.

Jeff Foster had eight points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who lost their second in a row. Marquis Daniels had 10 points.

Indiana led by as many as nine in the opening quarter and 24-19 after 12 minutes. The Pacers were on top 47-45 at the half, but stretched it to 58-50 early in the third following a three by Harrington.

Dallas got within 73-72 going into the fourth.

Game Notes

Dallas’ Jerry Stackhouse had six points in 11 minutes. He missed the previous six games with a sprained left ankle...Dallas has won nine in a row at home...Indiana has lost three in a row and seven of its last eight at Dallas. The Mavericks have won three straight in this series...The Mavs forced 18 turnovers, leading to 32 points...Harris went 8-of-10 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.