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Blazers, Mavericks put winning streaks on the line

Feb 4, 2009 - 11:16 AM Portland (30-17) at Dallas (28-19) 8:30 p.m. EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers know how to take advantage of a vulnerable team.

The Mavericks and the Trail Blazers both look to extend winning streaks on Wednesday when they meet.

Soon after Orlando Magic All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson left the game with a dislocated right shoulder suffered early in the third quarter on Monday, Dallas turned a five-point edge into a double-digit lead with a 9-2 run.

Former MVP Dirk Nowitzki finished with 29 points and Jason Kidd added 13, eight assists and four steals for the Mavericks' offense, which shot 53 percent (39-of-73) en route to a 105-95 victory over the Magic, claiming their third straight win.

Portland outscored the New Orleans Hornets, 42-17, after All-Star point guard Chris Paul went down with a right groin strain late in the third quarter of its tilt on Monday. New Orleans held a 17-point lead when Paul left the game, but could not stop the Blazers' 38-point, fourth-quarter outburst.

LaMarcus Aldridge collected 22 points and 11 rebounds and Jerryd Bayless chipped in 19 points off the bench as the Blazers used the huge burst to secure their fifth consecutive win, 97-89, over the Hornets.