Mavericks cruise to seventh straight win

Jason Terry scored 19 points and tallied seven assists for the Mavs, who extended their winning streak to seven straight. Dirk Nowitzki scored 15 and Devin Harris added 14 points for Dallas, which has won 24 of 26, and maintains a six-game hold on the top seed in the Western Conference at 59-11, the NBA’s best record.

Jannero Pargo had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Hornets, who have dropped two of three, and fell 2 1/2 games back of the idle Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Tyson Chandler added 13 points and eight boards for the Hornets.

Dallas blew the game wide open with a 16-5 run to close the third quarter that opened up a 24-point lead. Howard capped the stretch with seven straight points, on back-to-back threes, the second he made despite being fouled. Howard sank the free throw to convert the four-point play, and the Mavs led 83-59 entering the final 12 minutes.

"I was more disappointed with the second half than anything, especially the third quarter," said Hornets head coach Byron Scott. "The last thing I thought I would see was guys quit with six minutes left in the third quarter."

The Mavs lead reached 31 points, at 93-62, early in the fourth quarter, and Dallas coasted to the finish line.

"I got into a good rhythm early and guys were finding me in good spots," said Howard. "I really just got comfortable."

Dallas led 30-24 after one quarter of play.

The Hornets ran off 11 straight points, capped by a Rasual Butler three that put the Hornets on top, 39-38, with 6:14 left in the second quarter. The Mavs regrouped, though, closing the half with an 18-6 run, and took a 56-44 lead into the break.

Game Notes

Dallas completed a six-game road trip undefeated, only the 10th team in NBA history to do so, and the first 6-0 road trip since the Jazz and Kings both did it in the 2001-02 season...The Mavs improved to 27-2 when Howard scores 20-plus points.