GAME THREAD: NBA: DALLAS (8-2) at HOUSTON (6-5)

NBA: DALLAS (8-2) at HOUSTON (6-5)

<h3>Mavericks, Rockets continue Texas rivalry</h3>

Dallas (8-2) at Houston (6-5) 7:30 pm EST


HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Dirk Nowitzki finally found his shootingtouch, which could be bad news for the rest of the NBA.

Nowitzki will look to continue his scoring surge when the DallasMavericks visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.


The All-Star forward had come close to scoring 30 points in agame this season before going off for 32 on Wednesday in theMavericks' 105-99 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors.

Nowitzki buried four 3-pointers in a row to close the thirdquarter and cap a 24-point comeback.


Dallas has won four straight games, all from the comfort oftheir home court. It will now embark on a three-game road trip,with the struggling Rockets serving as the first stop.

Houston has dropped four in a row and has been without All-Starguard Tracy McGrady for the last two contests after he sufferedan elbow injury in the first half of a 93-90 loss to the Lakerson November 14.


McGrady is questionable for Wednesday's contest.


The Mavericks won the first meeting of the season with theRockets, 107-98, on November 6. Jason Terry led the way with 31points off the bench for Dallas and Josh Howard added 21.

McGrady had 35 points in the setback but shot just 12-of-31 fromthe floor.

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">DALLAS AT HOUSTON - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


DALLAS HOUSTON

F Maurice Ager F Shane Battier
F Dirk Nowitzki F Chuck Hayes
C DeSagana Diop C Yao Ming
G Devin Harris G Tracy McGrady
G Josh Howard G Rafer Alston

OFFICIALS: Steve Javie
Kevin Fehr
Bill Kennedy</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">DALLAS VS HOUSTON - INACTIVES

DALLAS HOUSTON

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
E JONES LEG INJURY S NOVAK NBDL
D GEORGE FOOT INJURY A BROOKS COACH'S DECISION
N FAZEKAS NBDL C LANDRY COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">DALLAS AT HOUSTON - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

DALLAS HOUSTON

F Josh Howard F Shane Battier
F Dirk Nowitzki F Chuck Hayes
C DeSagana Diop C Yao Ming
G Devin Harris G Tracy McGrady
G Trenton Hassell G Rafer Alston

OFFICIALS: Steve Javie
Kevin Fehr
Bill Kennedy</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 4
HOUSTON 8 8:20 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 12
HOUSTON 20 5:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 19
HOUSTON 24 2:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 25
HOUSTON 30 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 25
HOUSTON 30 30 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 9, BRANDON BASS 6, DIRK
NOWITZKI 3
HOU - YAO MING 10, RAFER ALSTON 8, SHANE
BATTIER 6</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 29
HOUSTON 30 8:59 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 34
HOUSTON 36 6:03 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 41
HOUSTON 43 2:42 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 47
HOUSTON 46 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 22 47
HOUSTON 30 16 46 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 15, DEVIN HARRIS 9, DIRK
NOWITZKI 7
HOU - YAO MING 12, RAFER ALSTON 10, SHANE
BATTIER 9</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 51
HOUSTON 56 8:17 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 51
HOUSTON 61 5:55 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 57
HOUSTON 73 2:28 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 62
HOUSTON 74 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 22 15 62
HOUSTON 30 16 28 74 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 17, DIRK NOWITZKI 13, DEVIN
HARRIS 12
HOU - YAO MING 24, RAFER ALSTON 15, SHANE
BATTIER 12</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 74
HOUSTON 78 8:35 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>