Streak at 14 as Mavs hold off Cavs

Nowitzki had 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, as the Mavericks nearly blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead before holding on for their 21st consecutive home win, extending a franchise record.

Jason Terry ended with 20 points and Josh Howard contributed 17 points and 10 boards for Dallas, which tied the 14-0 start of the 2002-03 team for the longest winning streak. That mark can be broken Saturday night at home against Orlando.

"It was a tough win for us," Howard said. "We didn’t finish out the fourth quarter like we were supposed to. But it was a good overall effort and great team defense."

Dallas has won 10 of the last 12 meetings against the Cavaliers, but this victory wasn’t secured until the final seconds. The incredible string by the Mavericks, which includes wins in 35 of their last 37 games, moved their record to a league-best 49-9.

"I love games like this," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "We were fortunate enough to win it, but we will have some good film study tomorrow to keep us sharp and on our toes."

Cleveland nearly won despite being without two of its players. Larry Hughes was out with the flu, and Damon Jones missed the game with back spasms. That meant LeBron James had to pick up the slack, and he did to the tune of 39 points on 17-of-27 shooting, but the All-Star missed two free throws and a pair of threes in the final 13.7 seconds, as the Cavs lost for the third time in four games.

Donyell Marshall’s driving layup cut Cleveland’s deficit to 94-89 with 1:52 left, but he and Sasha Pavlovic both missed three-point tries moments later.

Marshall was then called for a loose-ball foul on Howard, who made one free throw with 46.8 seconds left.

James, though, completed a three-point play with 41 seconds left before Terry missed on a drive to the basket, and James was fouled on a drive to the bucket with 13.7 seconds to go. James missed both foul shots, but the Cavs got the ball back when Dallas tipped it out of bounds with 10.3 showing.

James then missed a long three from the top of the circle, but the ball caromed off the front of the rim back to him. He then pump-faked before missing his second try off the back of the rim as time expired.

"I thought both of them were going down, but I doubt that next time I don’t take them," James said. "Things happen and we had an opportunity to make shots before them, but I’ll take that shot any day."

Erick Dampier added 10 points and nine rebounds for Dallas, which also got 10 points from Jerry Stackhouse.

Marshall scored 14 and Pavlovic 11 for the Cavaliers.

The Mavs led 27-23 after one quarter and were in front 52-42 at the half. They remained ahead by double digits most of the third, carrying a 74-62 cushion going into the fourth. That margin grew to 89-75 following two Nowitzki free throws with 6:21 left before Cleveland rallied.

Game Notes

Cleveland has lost seven straight and nine of its last 12 at Dallas...Dallas’ last loss at home was on December 7th against the Detroit Pistons. The Mavs last loss overall was January 25 at Chicago...This was the first of two meetings between the squads this season. Cleveland is scheduled to host the Mavericks on March 21.