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Mavericks aim for third straight victory

Jan 12, 2007 - 2:39 PM Dallas (29-8) at Indiana (20-16) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks aim for a 16th victory in 17 games Friday when they visit the Indiana Pacers.

Dallas, which owns the best record in the NBA, has responded with two straight wins after its 13-game unbeaten streak was ended by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dallas used stingy defense to earn its second straight win, 99-74, over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

The Mavericks, who were led by Jason Terry's 20 points, held Portland to only 39 percent shooting (28-of-71) from the field.

Dirk Nowitzki, who averages 23.9 points per game, only scored 11 for Dallas. The point total was the lowest for Nowitzki since he mustered just six points in 9:55 of a 103-95 victory at Seattle on December 20.

The Pacers won their third straight game Wednesday with a 97-84 victory over the Boston Celtics. Jermaine O'Neal, who averages 19.2 points to lead the Pacers, finished with 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half.

Jamaal Tinsley, who averages 12.7 points, scored 17 points - his most in six games - and had 13 assists.