Wed Jan 23 22:06:54 2008

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Harris leads balanced attack as Mavs topple Bobcats

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Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Devin Harris scored 13 of his 23 points in the third quarter, as Dallas remained perfect against the Charlotte Bobcats with a 102-95 victory.

Harris, who shot 8-of-12 from the field, also had nine assists, as the Mavericks moved to 7-0 all-time against the Bobcats. Josh Howard had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavs, who have won nine of 11 overall. Dirk Nowitzki tallied 20 points and eight boards, and Jason Terry had 16 points in the win.

Gerald Wallace scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds for Charlotte, which has dropped two in a row and five of eight. Jason Richardson also scored 22 points and Emeka Okafor chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

Erick Dampier's putback dunk stretched Dallas' lead to 90-83 with 3:34 remaining. However, Nazr Mohammed hit two free throws and Okafor's layup brought the Bobcats within three with 2:38 left. He was fouled by Dampier on the play, but missed the ensuing free throw.

Wallace then missed two shots, the second a reverse layup, as the Mavs continued to hold the lead.

Harris sank two foul shots with 1:36 left and the Bobcats continued to struggle, as Richardson missed a three-point shot. Nowitzki sank a pair of foul shots, and Terry's jumper with under a minute left effectively sealed the win at 96-87. Terry made four free throws down the stretch, while Nowitzki hit two more.

Dallas started the game on a 10-1 run and widened its lead to 30-17 going into the second quarter. It was 57-49 at the half, but Charlotte rallied in the third, getting within 63-61 on an Okafor jam less than four minutes into the stanza. However, Dallas responded with a 12-2 spurt, capped by a Harris three- pointer and the lead stood at 80-68 going into the fourth.

Game Notes

Dallas swingman Jerry Stackhouse left the game in the second quarter with a strained right hamstring...The Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are the only teams the Bobcats have never beaten...Dallas is 25-3 when leading starting the fourth quarter...The Mavs have held 16 of their last 20 opponents under 100 points...Felton had 16 points...Dallas was 3-of-17 from three-point range, while Charlotte was 3-of-18.