Mavericks Upset Pacers

The Dallas Mavericks hired Del Harris as their defensive coordinator on Monday. It didn’t take them long to put some of Harris’ teachings into practice.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points, 13 during a 15-0 run to open the second half, and the Mavericks limited Indiana to 33% shooting from the field in a 111-90 rout of the Pacers at Dallas.

Reggie Miller had only seven points, 12 under his team-leading average.

Steve Nash added 21 points and Michael Finley had 16 points to help the Mavericks to their second-largest margin of victory this season. It also was the Pacers’ most lopsided loss of the season.

“We played defense tonight and when you do that, that gives you a chance to win no matter how you shoot,” said Nash, who drew the defensive assignment against Miller. “He [Harris] had us aware of what we needed to do defensively.”

Portland 96, Sacramento 91--Arvydas Sabonis had 20 points and 16 rebounds as the Trail Blazers, despite going scoreless for the first 5:13 of the fourth quarter, beat the Kings at Portland, Ore.

Rasheed Wallace added 19 points, Detlef Schrempf 16 and Scottie Pippen had 10 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who won their third in a row and beat the Kings for the 10th straight time.

New York 91, Houston 85--Latrell Sprewell scored 27 points, and reserve John Wallace added 17 at New York.

Wallace gave the Knicks a quick lift when he came in early in the first quarter after Allan Houston picked up two quick fouls. Wallace scored nine points in less than three minutes to help the Knicks pull ahead for good.

Phoenix 107, Minnesota 100--Penny Hardaway scored a game-high 26 points and the Suns made 22 fourth-quarter free throws to beat the Timberwolves at Phoenix.

Philadelphia 98, Cleveland 97--Allen Iverson scored 28 points on a dreadful shooting night as the 76ers won in overtime at Cleveland.

Iverson was only 10 for 29 from the field, but scored four points in overtime as the Sixers completed a four-game sweep of the Cavaliers this season.

Miami 108, Milwaukee 104--The Heat, sparked by first-time starter Bruce Bowen’s two three-point baskets, tied a franchise record with their 12th straight home victory.

Orlando 107, Washington 98--Monty Williams scored 19 points at Orlando, Fla., and Ron Mercer added 18 as five players scored in double figures for the Magic, which has won four of five games.

Toronto 85, Golden State 78--Vince Carter scored 23 points at Toronto, including 11 in the fourth quarter after returning from a sprained left ankle, as the Raptors dealt the Warriors their seventh straight loss.