ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Sunday, Mar. 11 8:30pm ET
German friends cheer on Nowitzki, Mavs

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

DALLAS (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki put on a good show in front of some familiar faces.

Nowitzki scored 22 points, all in the first half, as the Dallas Mavericks extended their winning streak over the Los Angeles Clippers to 11 games with a 111-93 victory Sunday night.

Playing before a contingent of 30 from his German hometown of Wurzburg, including a 20-piece band that played at halftime plus family and friends, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a 13-point halftime advantage at 63-50.

"It's good to get some international flavor in here," Nowitzki said. "It's nice when the fans from Germany get to come over. It's a lot of fun."

Nowitzki shot 9-for-11 from the field in the first half as the Mavericks hit 26 of their first 45 field goal attempts (57.8 percent). Nowitzki set the tone early, scoring 10 points as Dallas took a 32-23 lead after the first quarter.

Juwan Howard had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Steve Nash had 16 points and seven assists for Dallas, which won for the sixth time in seven games and matched its total last season of 40 victories.

"It really doesn't matter when we get it, but I guess it's nice to get it now," Nash said. "But we have more on our minds than 40 wins."

Howard continues to adapt to the Mavericks since he came over in a trade with the Washington Wizards on Feb. 22. Howard is getting used to Dallas' run-and-gun style, consistently filling a lane on the fastbreak.

"That's always been a strength of mine," said Howard, who went 8-for-16 from the field. "I just try to beat my opponent up the court. With this team, you just have to find open lanes and these guys will get you the ball."

Michael Finley added 14 points and eight assists, and Shawn Bradley had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Quentin Richardson scored 15 points to lead Los Angeles, which lost all four games against Dallas this season. Corey Maggette added 14 for the Clippers, who had won two of their previous three.

The Mavericks broke the game open with a 14-7 spurt to start the third quarter. Howard's layup pushed Dallas' lead to 77-57 with 7:04 left in the third quarter.

Dallas went on to lead by as many as 26 points later in the third quarter and led 92-68 going into the final quarter.

"I think this is the most difficult team to play against," Maggette said. "They have so many shooters on the floor and when they drive the ball, if you try to help, you leave open a Michael Finley or a Dirk Nowitzki, and they capitalize off of it."

Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said Bradley's defense (three blocked shots and a season-high five steals) was a major factor.

"We have a tough time with Bradley," Gentry said. "He always seems to play well against us."

Game notes
The Clippers were without forward Lamar Odom, serving the second of a five-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug program. ... Mavericks guard Greg Buckner returned after missing three consecutive games due to a sprained left foot. Buckner had 10 points in 24 minutes. ... Dallas has won nine of its last 11 at home. ... The Mavericks had a season-high 32 assists.

Send this story to a friend
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

LA Clippers Clubhouse

Dallas Clubhouse


RECAPS
New York 86
Miami 83

Philadelphia 97
Boston 91

Toronto 101
Vancouver 84

Sacramento 105
Utah 90

Detroit 95
Indiana 78

Cleveland 124
Milwaukee 110

Phoenix 94
Houston 92

Dallas 111
LA Clippers 93

Seattle 109
LA Lakers 97


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.