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Hot teams battle in DC when Mavs visit Wiz

Nov 19, 2014 - 3:09 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Mavericks will wrap up their quick east coast tour when they settle down in the nation's capital Wednesday to face the talented Washington Wizards.

The Mavericks enter the Verizon Center winners in four straight and eight of 10 games, and recorded a convincing 107-80 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Monday night. The Mavs led 32-24 after the first quarter and 67-43 at halftime.

Charlotte battled in the third quarter even though Dallas won the frame, 21-18, and cruised through the fourth quarter. Dallas shot 51.2 percent from the floor and was led by Monta Ellis' 18 points.

Chandler Parsons (17), Tyson Chandler (14), Dirk Nowitzki (13), Jameer Nelson (11) and Brandon Wright (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers.

Dallas outrebounded Charlotte, 50-35, posted 32 assists and led by as many as 33 points.

"That's how we should play the whole season," said Ellis. "Just get out, run, flow, pass, cut and find the open guy. We have so many threats and weapons on the offensive end that (the defense) has to help a lot, so it leaves a lot of guys wide open."

The Mavericks are averaging a league-best 109.3 points and allowing 98.2. They have scored 100 or more points in all but two games this season and have posted an average of 116.8 points during the four-game win streak. The team is second in field goal percentage at 49.2. Golden State has a 49.9 percentage.

The Mavs have won their last three games by an average of 31.3 points. A lot of that has to do with a 123-70 drubbing of Philadelphia last Thursday.

Nowitzki reached a milestone against the Hornets and became only the fourth player to score 27,000 career points with one team, joining Michael Jordan (Bulls), Karl Malone (Jazz) and Kobe Bryant (Lakers). Nowitzki, who leads the Mavs with 19.6 ppg, has Elvin Hayes (27,313) in his sights for eighth on the all-time scoring list with 27,002.

Nowitzki (9,489) is 17th on the all-time field goals made list, trailing the great Oscar Robertson (9,508). He's 31st on the all-time games played list with 1,199 and Shaquille O'Neal is 30th with 1,207. Juwan Howard sits 29th (1,208).

The Wizards will have their work cut out against Nowitzki and the high-scoring Mavericks. They're giving up 96.4 ppg this season.

Washington is well rested and has won three in a row to improve to 7-2 this season.

In Saturday's 98-93 victory versus the Orlando Magic, the reserves led the way.

Kris Humphries finished with 16 points, Otto Porter netted 13 and Rasual Butler added 10 for the Wizards, who are off to the best start since and 8-1 opening to the 1974-75 campaign and have a 4-0 record at home.

John Wall recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists, while Nene added 16 points in the victory.

"When the first group is clicking, it helps when our second group is clicking," said Wall. "When were on the same page at the same time, we're a pretty tough team."

Wall is averaging 23.0 points and 10.3 assists at the Verizon Center this season and has posted double-doubles in each home game.

Washington and Memphis are the only unbeaten teams at home in the NBA.

The Wizards still have LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to entertain on this four-game homestand. That showdown is Friday night.

Washington might get some reinforcements Wednesday in the form of Bradley Beal. The guard suffered a broken bone in his left wrist, but has been a full participant in practice the last two days.

Dallas defeated Washington twice in 2013-14 and has won eight straight, 10 of 11 and 16 of the last 20 games in this series. The Mavericks haven't suffered defeat in their previous five visits to DC.