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Friday, Apr. 13 8:30pm ET
Mavs reach 50 wins first time in 13 years

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

DALLAS (AP) – Michael Finley needed only a few seconds to show how serious he was about winning this game.

Michael Finley
Mavs guard Michael Finley splits Scot Pollard, left, and Predrag Stojakovic for a layup.
With the Dallas Mavericks mired in a three-game losing streak, Finley chased down Friday night's opening tipoff, weaved between three stunned Sacramento Kings and scored in the paint.

He drilled a long jumper on the next possession and finished with 31 points, leading the Mavericks to a 101-97 victory and giving them 50 wins for the first time in 13 years.

"We just wanted to be the aggressor," said Finley, who gave his teammates a pregame speech. "Down the stretch and going into the playoffs, the aggressor is going to win. During the three-game losing streak, we were passive."

Mark Cuban, a long-suffering fan who bought the Mavericks last year, missed the milestone victory because he was suspended for making a gesture at officials during a loss Wednesday. He also was fined $100,000 by the NBA.

The Internet billionaire probably watched the game on his computer -- it was the first pro sports contest broadcast in streaming video over the Internet. The Webcast was available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Viewers saw Juwan Howard match Finley's intensity, while contributing 26 points and 12 rebounds. In the third and fourth quarters, the pair scored 28 of 36 Dallas points as the Mavericks built their lead to 97-84.

"We were focused," said Howard, who had 32 points in a 119-107 victory over the Kings two weeks ago. "Mike set the tone and we fed off his energy."

Dallas (50-29) regained the fifth seed in the Western Conference by a half-game over Portland (50-30), which lost to Houston 109-103. Phoenix, meanwhile, beat Seattle 109-100 to improve to 49-30.

Chris Webber had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings, who were making their first bid for a team-record-tying 55th victory. The mark was set by the Cincinnati Royals in 1963-64.

Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic missed a 22-footer in the closing seconds that would have tied the game. Calvin Booth got the rebound and hit two free throws with 0.7 seconds left to seal the victory.

"I got a good look," said Stojakovic, who had 18 points and eight rebounds. "It just didn't fall in."

The Kings, whose only lead was by two in the first quarter, used a 10-0 run to get within 97-94.

A 3-pointer by Sacramento's Bobby Jackson pulled the Kings within 99-97 with 43 seconds left. Then Jackson rebounded a miss by Finley with 19 seconds to go and looked to the bench to see if he should call timeout. The answer was "No."

The Kings set up a play for Webber, but -- with Howard guarding -- he missed a short shot with 5.5 seconds to go. Webber had twisted his right ankle in the third quarter and said "it took some of my mobility away."

The game was as fast-paced as you would expect from two of the league's four highest-scoring teams. There were plenty of baskets in transition and great ball movement.

The quick tempo led to some out-of-control moments, which were exciting in their own way.

There was little of the plodding, half-court isolation that bogs down many games -- prompting the NBA to make rule changes Thursday allowing zone defenses starting next season.

"Coach (Don Nelson) pointed that out during a timeout in the first half," Howard said. "He said, 'This is a great game to watch. I know you're enjoying playing it."'

Steve Nash scored 14 points for Dallas, and Shawn Bradley had eight points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.

Vlade Divac just missed a fourth straight double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento.

Game notes
This was the 100th meeting between the teams. Sacramento leads the series 51-49. ... The Kings were called for illegal defense twice within three seconds in the first quarter. ... This is the third-winningest season in Mavs history. Dallas won 55 games in 1986-87, and 53 in '87-88. ... The Mavericks have won 15 of 19 at Reunion Arena. ... This was the sixth straight game Divac has had at least 10 rebounds.

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NBA Scoreboard

Sacramento Clubhouse

Dallas Clubhouse


Hit again: Mavs owner Cuban fined, suspended


RECAPS
Washington 113
Orlando 110

Cleveland 97
New Jersey 91

New York 101
Atlanta 65

Indiana 113
Boston 108

Toronto 94
Miami 82

Utah 94
Chicago 83

Dallas 101
Sacramento 97

Denver 108
Golden State 92

Phoenix 109
Seattle 100

Houston 109
Portland 103

LA Clippers 111
Minnesota 105


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