Top > Sport > 2006 > November > 2006-11-27

Mavericks the hottest team in the NBA

The Golden State Warriors handed Utah Jazz their second loss of the season, and have helped set the Dallas Mavericks as the hottest team in the NBA. Dallas won its ninth straight game, and improved to 9-4. They opened the season with four straight losses. Utah`s opening of the season is still phenomenal, as they drop to a nearly perfect 12-2 record.

Beating San Antonio on Friday and the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday, the Mavericks have evened their season record with the Spurs (having lost the season opener against Duncan and teammates) and extended their winning streak against the Hornets to 18, dating to November 1999.

Mavericks` Josh Howard played in both weekend games, after sitting out for eight games due to a sprained ankle. Against the hornets Howard scored 11 of his 15 points in the first quarter, including two three pointers, and the rest of the game was in Dallas` control. The first quarter ended with a 35-16 lead with Dallas shooting 13-of-19 and forcing eight turnovers. Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half on 10 of 13 shooting.