(Sports Network) - Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and 11 rebounds, as the Dallas Mavericks continued their dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves with an 89-77 victory at Target Center.

Dallas has won 13 consecutive games against Minnesota, which matches San Antonio's streak against New Jersey as the longest active streak by one NBA team over an opponent.

Shawn Marion added 15 points for the Mavericks, who have won three of their last four games. Jason Terry ended with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists off the bench for the victors.

"I liked our defense, we did a nice job defensively and I know they are missing some key guys but in terms of coverage and execution we did a solid job. They are a team you can't look past because they have a lot of 3-pt shooters and the point guard situation is strong with Flynn and Sessions and you have to play, play to beat them. It's a good win," said Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle.

Jonny Flynn paced the Timberwolves with 11 points. Ryan Gomes tallied 10 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost nine straight games after a season-opening win over New Jersey on October 28. Nathan Jawai and Corey Brewer also had 10 points in defeat.

The Wolves were without center Al Jefferson, who left on Thursday to tend to a family member's illness in Florida. He is also expected to miss the team's next game.

"I was pleased with the way our guys played for a good chunks of the ball game. With this team being young and inexperienced, they don't know how to dig deep when teams are making their runs. We don't know how to really execute our offense and work for high-quality shots when the differential is starting to increase," said Minnesota head coach Kurt Rambis.

The tilt was tight early until the Mavericks started to pull away late in the second quarter. Ahead 34-32, Dallas finished the second stanza on a 10-1 run. Marion had six points during that flurry, which Nowitzki ended with a jumper for a 44-33 halftime margin.

A Flynn jumper brought Minnesota within 60-50 with over three minutes left in the third. However, Dallas ripped off nine unanswered points to build a 19- point lead with 1:30 remaining. The Mavericks led, 73-54, heading to the fourth.

Dallas' big lead was never in jeopardy in the fourth, but Minnesota scored the final seven points of the contest to account for the final margin.

Game Notes

Minnesota's Ryan Hollins was ejected from the game after picking up his second technical foul in the third frame...Dallas had 36 points in the paint, compared to 26 for Minnesota...The Timberwolves travel to Memphis on Saturday, while the Mavs play at Detroit on Sunday.









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