Hornets show toughness in win over Spurs
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-19 16:57

Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points, seven rebounds and a season-high four blocks as the Mavs capped a long homestand by going 4-1, all against teams they were expected to beat. Dallas has won eight of nine and is a game behind division rival San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference.

Wally Szczerbiak scored 28 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, but the Timberwolves still extended their longest losing streak of the season to four.

Their previous three losses were by a combined five points and this looked like it would be another tight one when they scored 32 points in the third quarter and tied it at 70 early in the fourth. The rally must have sapped them, though, as Dallas answered with an 11-3 run, then an 8-0 burst after Minnesota again got within four.

Harris, who finished with 14 points and six assists, fed Adrian Griffin for the basket that put the Mavericks ahead for good. Griffin had 10 points and Keith Van Horn scored 13.

Troy Hudson scored 20 points for Minnesota.

This was the first of three games in 21 days featuring versatile big men Nowitzki and Garnett.

They weren't matched up too often, but there was one memorable sequence in the second quarter. Nowitzki, fresh off a big defensive stand, was wide open for a 3-pointer on the left wing. Garnett raced at him, but Nowitzki got it off in time and managed to draw a foul. Nowitzki backed away pumping his fist after swishing the 3, then made the free throw for a rare four-point play.

The game started horribly, with the teams combining to miss their first nine shots. The ninth was an airball by Minnesota's Michael Olowokandi on a possession that began with coach Dwane Casey screaming, "Calm down."

Szczerbiak came through with the first field goal, 2:37 into the game. Both clubs finished the first quarter 6-of-19. Only two of Dallas' baskets came in the set offense, the rest coming on fast breaks.

It wasn't much better in the second quarter, with the Mavs starting 2-of-7 and the Wolves going 1-of-7. Minnesota wound up shooting 35 percent for 32 points at halftime. The only consolation for the Timberwolves was that it topped their last game, when they had only 29 at halftime.