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Mavericks seek seventh straight victory vs. 76ers

Feb 11, 2007 - 2:10 PM Dallas (41-9) at Philadelphia (17-34) 6:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Josh Howard's steady play has helped keep the Dallas Mavericks running like a well-oiled machine.

Howard looks to lead the Mavericks to their seventh consecutive triumph and 15th in 16 games when they open a three-game road trip Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Named as an injury replacement for the Western Conference All-Star Team on Friday, Howard is averaging 19.7 points this season. The Mavericks are 20-2 when he scores at least 20. They won all 19 games when he reached that mark in 2005-2006.

After sitting out two games for personal reasons, the 6-7 Howard is averaging 22.3 points in his last three outings. He scored 22 on 9-of-15 shooting to lead Dallas in Friday's 95-74 win over the Houston Rockets.

Jason Terry scored 18 points and DeSagana Diop grabbed 14 rebounds off the bench for the Mavericks, who have the league's third-best defense (92.9).

Philadelphia has won three of its last five games and is 12-16 since Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets. They are 9-13 at home and are ranked sixth in defense (95.1).

The 76ers lost at home to the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time since March 10, 1996, with Friday's 90-89 defeat. Andre Iguodala scored 22 points and Samuel Dalembert added 14 with 15 rebounds.

Dallas has won seven of the last 11 matchups against Philadelphia, including a 93-79 victory December 15. The Mavericks scored 21 consecutive points in the first quarter and limited the 76ers to 11 in the period.