Red-hot Mavs visit A.I. in Denver

Dallas posted its ninth consecutive win by defeating the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 94-80, on Saturday at American Airlines Center. Jason Terry scored 25 points and handed out six assists as Dallas completed a four-game homestand with a perfect mark.

Terry finished 10-of-20 from the field, while Dirk Nowitzki posted 17 points for the Mavericks, who have won 10 of their last 11 games. Josh Howard added 15 points and six rebounds and Devin Harris contributed 12 points in the win.

The Mavericks, who lead the Southwest Division by one game over San Antonio, are 9-4 on the road in 2006-07 and have won three straight as the visitor.

Dallas head coach Avery Johnson needs one more victory to pass the late Red Auerbach for fastest to 100 coaching victories. Johnson is 99-31 (130 games) so far with Dallas, while Auerbach turned the trick in 135 games.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, is four games off Utah’s lead in the Northwest Division and had its two-game winning streak halted after Friday’s 99-89 loss to the Hornets.

Earl Boykins poured in 26 points and Iverson contributed 21 on 6-of-22 shooting from the floor. Yakhouba Diawara had 14 points for Denver, which is 4-4 in its last eight games.

Dallas and Denver are meeting for the second time this season. The Mavericks posted a 105-90 win on December 9, thanks to 30 points from Howard, and have won two straight, six of seven and 16 of the last 20 meetings.

The Mavs have also won three of five and seven of their last 10 trips to Denver.