GAME THREAD: NBA: DALLAS (15-9) at HOUSTON (12-11)

NBA: DALLAS (15-9) at HOUSTON (12-11)

<h3>Mavericks goes for sixth straight win over Rockets</h3>

<div class="pre">Dallas (15-9) at Houston (12-11) 8:30 pm EST</div>

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks look to continue theirdominating ways over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Since eliminating Houston from the playoffs in 2005, Dallas haswon nine of the previous 10 games - including a 100-94 victoryat home on November 24 behind Jason Terry's 22 points off thebench.


"It seems like we're always leading them," Rockets swingmanTracy McGrady said. "We play well for three quarters and then inthe fourth quarter, they make adjustments."


Terry contributed in a major way in the Mavericks' most recentwin, pouring in 25 points in Saturday's 89-80 victory over theNew Orleans Hornets.


Despite the win, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-low sevenpoints on on 2-of-8 shooting from the field. It was his lowestoutput since scoring six points on December 20, 2006 at Seattlebefore leaving with an injured ankle.


The reigning MVP has just 20 points combined through his lasttwo games.


On Wednesday, McGrady scored 29 points and Yao Ming chipped in21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks as Houston earned itsthird straight home game with an 80-77 over the Detroit Pistons.

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

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

DALLAS HOUSTON

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
M AGER COACH'S DECISION R ALSTON GROIN PULL
J BAREA COACH'S DECISION S NOVAK NBDL
N FAZEKAS COACH'S DECISION C LANDRY COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

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


DALLAS HOUSTON

F Josh Howard F Shane Battier
F Dirk Nowitzki F Chuck Hayes
C Erick Dampier C Yao Ming
G Jason Terry G Tracy McGrady
G Devin Harris G Steve Francis

OFFICIALS: Ron Garretson
Derrick Collins
Mark Lindsey</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 5
HOUSTON 7 8:52 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 9
HOUSTON 10 5:57 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 18
HOUSTON 15 2:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 25
HOUSTON 21 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 25
HOUSTON 21 21 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 9, JERRY STACKHOUSE 7, DIRK
NOWITZKI 6
HOU - YAO MING 7, CHUCK HAYES 5, TRACY MCGRADY
4</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 29
HOUSTON 30 8:40 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 37
HOUSTON 32 5:51 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 37
HOUSTON 34 2:51 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 38
HOUSTON 41 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 13 38
HOUSTON 21 20 41 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 14, JERRY STACKHOUSE 7, DIRK
NOWITZKI 6
HOU - YAO MING 14, SHANE BATTIER 8, CHUCK
HAYES 5</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 47
HOUSTON 44 8:52 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 49
HOUSTON 51 5:57 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 61
HOUSTON 55 2:34 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 68
HOUSTON 61 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 13 30 68
HOUSTON 21 20 20 61 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

DAL - JOSH HOWARD 18, JERRY STACKHOUSE 12,
DEVIN HARRIS 12
HOU - YAO MING 20, TRACY MCGRADY 12, SHANE
BATTIER 11</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 77
HOUSTON 64 9:05 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 79
HOUSTON 68 6:05 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>