Mavericks Spell Trouble Again for the SuperSonics

For a change, the Dallas Mavericks didn’t waste a fourth-quarter lead Tuesday night.

Erick Strickland had a career-high 30 points, Michael Finley scored 29 and the Mavericks kept their cool down the stretch to end a five-game losing streak with a stunning 107-98 victory over the SuperSonics at Dallas.

Dallas has beaten the SuperSonics in both their meetings this season.

“We finally didn’t fold in the fourth quarter,� Maverick Coach Don Nelson said. “We kept our composure, defended very well, and it went our way tonight.�

Detlef Schrempf scored 21 points, Gary Payton had 20 and Vin Baker 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Sonics, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Portland 86, Cleveland 84--Kenny Anderson made a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Trail Blazers a victory at Cleveland.

Anderson, outplayed by rookie Brevin Knight until the final inbounds play, dribbled free and ended a thrilling game with a tough shot from the top of the key that swished through as the horn sounded.

The shot ruined Shawn Kemp’s best game since joining the Cavaliers. He had season-highs with 31 points and 20 rebounds.

Atlanta 103, Milwaukee 93--Reserve Alan Henderson scored 18 points and Mookie Blaylock had 15 points, eight assists and five steals in his return from the injured list to lift the Hawks at Atlanta.

Atlanta had seven players in double figures.

The Hawks came back from a 15-point, first-half deficit and won despite an off night by leading scorer Steve Smith (11 points).

Vancouver 88, Denver 77--Unable to defeat another team with a double-digit losing streak, the Nuggets moved closer to the longest losing streak in NBA history.

The Nuggets lost their 21st consecutive game, losing to the lowly Grizzlies at Vancouver, a team that hadn’t won since Dec. 21.

The Nuggets moved within two losses of tying the longest single-season losing streak in league history--23 by the Grizzlies two years ago.

Phoenix 87, Golden State 69--Rex Chapman scored 22 points and Danny Manning had 16, including 14 in the second half at Oakland, as the Warriors lost their 11th game in a row.

Jason Kidd added 13 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, leaving him just shy of his 18th career triple-double.

Donyell Marshall led Golden State with 23 points.