Nowitzki, Beaubois lead Mavericks past Kings

DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki had 31 points and 12 rebounds, rookie Roddy Beaubois added a career-high 22 points and the Dallas Mavericks extended their season-high winning streak to 10 games with a 108-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Beaubois went 9 for 14 from the field and 3 for 6 on 3-pointers in 24-plus minutes, taking advantage of the absence of the team's No. 2 scorer, Jason Terry. The injured guard, who averages 17 points a game, is expected to miss 10-14 days following Friday's surgery to repair facial injuries sustained in Wednesday night's win over Minnesota.

(enlarge photo) Sacramento Kings forward Donte Greene (20) gets by Dallas Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson (92) and Caron Butler, right, on his way to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 5, 2010, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

With the victory that improved the league's longest active streak, the Mavericks clinched their 10th consecutive season over .500.

Carl Landry had 21 points, and Beno Udrih and Tyreke Evans each added 20 for the Kings, who'd won three of their previous four.

After trailing by as many as 10 in the first half, Dallas closed the third quarter with a 9-1 run with the help of Shawn Marion's back-to-back baskets, building an 85-72 advantage heading into the final 12 minutes.

The Kings got as close as 102-100 with 1:36 remaining on Evans' layup.

Sacramento had a shot at a tie, but Caron Butler stole the ball from Evans, leading to two free throws from Nowitzki with 51 seconds left.

Nowitzki and Jason Kidd each converted two foul shots over the final 21.5 seconds to seal the victory. Kidd had 17 points and 12 assists.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the second quarter by referee Bob Delaney after picking up two quick technicals while protesting a no-call on a drive by Nowitzki.

Assistant coach Dwane Casey took over for Carlisle with Dallas trailing 43-33, and the Mavericks went on a 19-10 run over the remainder of the second quarter.

Sacramento held a 53-52 halftime lead, despite Beaubois' 16-point second quarter.

The Mavericks have won the last 12 meetings with the Kings in Texas, and have taken 13 of the last 15 matchups.

NOTES: In addition to Terry, the Mavericks are without C Erick Dampier (dislocated right middle finger) and F Tim Thomas (personal reasons). Starting C Brendan Haywood left after the first quarter with lower-back tightness and did not return. ... Dallas had winning streaks of as long as 17 games during the 2006-07 season. ... Kidd was back in the lineup after he was rested for Wednesday night's game. ... F Jason Thompson (back) and Jon Brockman (sprained right knee ligament) are closing in on returns for the Kings.

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