(Sports Network) - Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points each to lead the Dallas Mavericks past the New Orleans Hornets, 100-92, in the front end of a home-and-home set from American Airlines Center.

With the win Dallas moved a game ahead of Utah and into a tie with these Hornets for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff picture.

"We know New Orleans is a great team, but overall we're determined to move up and they were a team in our way and we just came out and played great tonight at home," said Howard.

Howard added 11 rebounds for the Mavs, who won their third straight game and fifth in six tries. Jason Terry scored 18 points and Erick Dampier 12 in the win. Jason Kidd doled out 15 assists to go with three points and Brandon Bass recorded a career-high 13 boards and eight points for Dallas.

Chris Paul poured in 42 points, grabbed nine boards and doled out seven helpers for New Orleans, which lost its second straight and fourth in five games. David West added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets.

Trailing 92-74 midway through the fourth, Paul scored five straight points to spark a 15-1 New Orleans run. The surge, of which Paul had 10 points, got the Hornets as close as 93-89 within the final minute. It was too little, too late, though, as Dallas held on from there.

"They came out, and we know going into every game if you watch the Mavericks play, they go as Josh [Howard] goes to start the game off," said Paul. "Josh got off to a great start and then everyone else started to get involved and we decided to play in the second half."

The Mavs were on top 30-17 after the first quarter, and ahead 49-39 at the break.

Leading by eight points, Howard hit a hook shot and Nowitzki threw down a dunk to spark a 10-1 Dallas run. The pair accounted for all 10 points -- Howard had six and Nowitzki four -- on the surge, which gave the Mavs a 74-57 lead with 3:12 left in the third. Dallas was on top, 77-61, heading into the final 12 minutes.

Game Notes

New Orleans shot 42.1 percent from the field, whereas Dallas hit at a 40 percent clip...The Hornets have three games left, against Dallas and then two games on the road in Houston and San Antonio, respectively...The Mavs also have three games left, and will host Minnesota and Houston following the tilt with the Hornets...New Orleans had won both of its games against the Mavericks this season coming in...The Mavericks already secured their ninth straight postseason appearance.



Copyright 2009 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend