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Mavericks blow out Hornets to cap perfect road trip

Mar 28, 2007 - 6:30 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- In the midst of a historic season, Josh Howard and the Dallas Mavericks recorded another first against their favorite opponent.

Howard had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Mavericks completed the first perfect six-game road trip in franchise history with a 105-89 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

Dirk Nowitzki, who was battling flu-like symptoms, added 15 points in just 22 minutes for Dallas, which has won 21 in a row vs. the Hornets dating to 1999 when the team was located in Charlotte. It is the longest active winning streak of one team over another among the four major U.S. professional sports.

"Josh stepped up and took over in Dirk's absence," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "He passed the ball well, he mixed up his game and took some smart shots. Dirk was not 100 percent tonight, he didn't have to overextend him, so hopefully we can get him some fluids and some rest and get him ready for tomorrow."

Howard recorded his 14th double-double of the season as the Mavericks improved to 27-2 when the All-Star forward scores at least 20 points.

"I got into a good rhythm early and guys were finding me in good spots," Howard said. "I really just got comfortable."

The Mavericks did not need Nowitzki, as the game was out of hand by the third quarter. Dallas led, 84-59, after three quarters and the starters watched most of the fourth from the bench.

The Mavericks shot 55 percent (44-of-80) and hit 7-of-14 shots from the arc. Their suffocating defense also held Chris Paul to just two points on 1-of-10 shooting.

"We did a good job of keeping him in front of us," Howard said. "We kept him out of the lane and helped on penetration and that's what you try to do against him."

Unlike Howard, New Orleans coach Bryon Scott was anything but comfortable as his club fell 2 1/2 games behind the idle Los Angeles Clippers (34-36) for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

"You have to give them credit; they are a great basketball team," Scott said. "I was more disappointed with the second half than anything, especially in the third quarter. The last thing I thought I would see was guys quitting with six minutes left in the third quarter. ... I told them that is the last time I want to see that. We will see how we react tomorrow (vs. San Antonio).

"If we show the same type of effort and energy as we did tonight, tomorrow night, it will be the same result."

Jannero Pargo scored 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting and Tyson Chandler added 13 points and eight rebounds for New Orleans, which has lost all seven home games to the Mavericks since moving to New Orleans in 2002.

"This is a really tough loss for us," Chandler said. "I look for us to come out tomorrow night pretty aggressive. "I think we match up pretty well against San Antonio and we just need to take our anger and frustration into the game tomorrow."