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Nowitzki, Mavericks shoot for fourth straight win

Feb 3, 2007 - 6:11 PM Minnesota (38-9) at Dallas (22-24) 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- Coach Avery Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks have been more than just comfortable at home.

All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks will try to push their winning streak to four consecutive games when they welcome in the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

Dallas has won 14 straight matchups at American Airlines Center. Its last home defeat came at the hands of the Detroit Pistons, a 92-82 decision on December 7.

Nowitzki scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter of Dallas' 95-94 triumph at Memphis on Wednesday. The Mavericks were without second-leading scorer Josh Howard for the second straight game due to the birth of his first child.

Minnesota suffered its second straight loss with Friday's 90-83 setback against the New Orleans Hornets. Mark Blount scored 21 points and Kevin Garnett added 17 and 13 rebounds in the loss.

The Timberwolves are just a dismal 2-4 under interim coach Randy Whittman, who replaced fired Dwane Casey on January 24.

In the first meeting, Dallas had six players in double figures in a 93-87 triumph here on November 27. Garnett paced Minnesota with 19 points and 12 rebounds.