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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- Donn Nelson took good care of the Dallas Mavericks
during his 21-game stint in place of his ailing father.
Michael Finley scored 26 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points
and 10 rebounds as the Mavericks stretched Washington's losing
streak to six games with a 112-105 victory over the Wizards on
Saturday night.
The younger Nelson compiled a 13-8 record filling in for his
dad, Don, who returns to the bench for Tuesday night's game against
the Lakers. Don Nelson has been at his off-season home in Maui
recovering from prostate cancer surgery since early January and
will rejoin the team on Sunday.
"We didn't lose significant ground," said the younger Nelson.
"I expected that coming in. This is the kind of team that can
coach itself. All 12 guys stepped up and contributed."
Steve Nash added 16 points and nine assists, and Greg Buckner
had 11 points for the Mavericks, winners of five of their last
seven.
The players said they wanted to give Donn Nelson a victory in
his last game.
"It's fitting because he did such a great job in such a tough
situation," Nash said. "For us to win and be on a positive is
very special."
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was missing from his regular baseline
seat as he began a two-game league suspension. Cuban was also fined
$10,000 by the league for running onto the court during an
altercation between Dallas and Cleveland players and coaches in the
closing seconds of Thursday night's game.
Juwan Howard had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Mitch Richmond
added 23 points for the Wizards, who got as close as 108-102 on
Howard's 15-foot jumper with 1:30 left.
Nash, the league' leading free throw shooter, missed two of four
foul shots in the final minute, but the Wizards were unable to take
advantage.
Wizards coach Leonard Hamilton was pleased with his team's
energy level and its 50 percent shooting.
"We played with a very determined attitude, but we came up just
short," Hamilton said. "It wasn't from a lack of effort. We
couldn't quite get over the hump."
Mavericks center Shawn Bradley, who finished with 10 points,
made three baskets during a stretch of 3:24 in the fourth quarter,
the third giving Dallas a 105-96 lead with 3:16 to play.
"They were able to penetrate and Bradley got a couple inside
that hurt us," Howard said. "Finley hit some tough shots. That
got the crowd into it."
Dallas was ahead by as many as 13 points early in the third
quarter and carried an 86-79 advantage into the final quarter.
After trailing by as many as nine in the first quarter, the
Mavericks took a 59-55 halftime lead behind Finley's 17 points.
Finley said he expected the Wizards to put up a fight despite
their 12-40 record.
"I wasn't surprised at all," Finley said. "I talked to Juwan
(Howard) before the game and they were off yesterday so I knew
they'd have their legs. Defensively we weren't as sharp as we
needed to be. This wasn't one of the prettiest wins we've had, but
it's a win."
While his teammates struggled offensively, Finley kept the
Mavericks close early with 11 first-quarter points.
"I have confidence in myself," Finley said. "If the team is a
little sluggish I demand the ball in those situations and the coach
usually calls my number. It worked out for us tonight and and it
usually does."
Game notes
The Wizards went 0-for-3 in their tour of Texas, losing at
Houston and San Antonio in the two previous stops of the five-game
road trip. ... Dallas caused 12 Washington turnovers in the first
half, leading to 16 points. ... Nowitzki had his 28th double-double
of the season.
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NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
RECAPS
Chicago 89
Miami 82
Dallas 112
Washington 105
Houston 92
Cleveland 80
Charlotte 103
Milwaukee 93
Boston 85
Portland 81
Atlanta 101
Seattle 94
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