• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red-hot Mavericks, Spurs renew rivalry in San Antonio

Nov 24, 2006 - 4:11 PM Dallas (7-4) at San Antonio (10-2) 8:00 pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks are playing much better than the last time they took on the San Antonio Spurs.

One of the best rivalries in the NBA, the Mavericks and Spurs face off Friday for the second time this season.

Dallas lost to the Spurs in its season-opening contest, 97-91, on its way to a franchise-worst 0-4 start. Since that skid, however, the Mavericks have won seven straight contests - their best run since a 13-game winning streak from January 14-February 9.

On Tuesday, Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points and 14 rebounds and Devin Harris scored 18 points as Dallas posted a 107-80 victory over the Washington Wizards.

A 7-footer with great shooting touch, Nowitzki made 11-of-19 shots, including 2-of-4 3-pointers. He has registered a double-double in each of his last six contests. The Spurs lost to the Mavericks in a classic seven-game series in the Western Conference semifinals last season. In 2006-07, San Antonio also is on a hot streak and will face Dallas at the top of its game.

On Wednesday, Tim Duncan scored 19 points and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker both added 17 as the Spurs rolled to their ninth consecutive home win over the Miami Heat with a 106-86 rout.

Brent Barry made four 3-pointers and scored 15 points for the Spurs, who have won four games in a row.

The rival squads split the four regular-season meetings last season but San Antonio has won seven of the last 10 contests.