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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks gave Don Nelson a nice
sendoff.
Nelson picked up his 939th coaching victory to move past mentor
Red Auerbach into fourth place on the career list as Dallas beat
Chicago 105-86.
Nelson revealed before the game that he would be away from the
team for an undetermined period as he seeks treatment for prostate
cancer. He will meet with doctors Sunday in Salt Lake City to get a
second opinion on his condition, then decide his course of
treatment.
Nelson had said he would be happy to remain tied with Auerbach,
his coach when Nelson played for the Boston Celtics. But Nelson's
players weren't about to let that happen, not with Nelson leaving
the team and certainly not against the hapless Bulls.
"I tied Red, now I moved ahead of him, and I'm happy about
that," Nelson said. "Now I'm going to take some time off and get
a second opinion.
"I told the team that I don't know exactly how long it's going
to be. I could join them again, but eventually I'm going to have
to get this taken care of. I need more information and I'll get
that in Salt Lake City."
Top assistant Del Harris will fill in during Nelson's absence.
Steve Nash scored 22 points and Christian Laettner added a
season-high 17 points, 15 in the third quarter. Michael Finley and
Dirk Nowitzki had 14 points each for the Mavericks, who extended
their winning streak against the Bulls to five games.
The Bulls were without top scorer and rebounder Elton Brand, who
missed his third straight game due to a hyperextended left knee.
Khalid Ed-Amin had 18 points, and Ron Mercer and Corey Benjamin
added 16 each for the Bulls, whose league-worst record fell to
2-17.
Dallas closed the second quarter with a 16-4 run to build a
53-40 halftime lead.
Nash had 18 first-half points, hitting 9 of 11 field goal
attempts, most on slashing drives.
"I just tried to be aggressive," said Nash. "We saw some
opportunities to push the ball."
The Bulls had 13 first-half turnovers and got poor offensive
looks. They seemed intimidated by 7-6 Dallas center Shawn Bradley,
who had five first-half blocked shots.
"Offensively we didn't do anything from start to finish," said
Bulls coach Tim Floyd, who was ejected in the third quarter.
"Turnovers and our lack of ability to guard were the story. Our
ballhandling and soft defense are things I don't want to
tolerate."
Mercer said the Bulls don't play with the same intensity on the
road as they do at home.
"I have no idea why, but we have long stretches on the road
when it isn't there," he said.
The Mavericks put the game away when they opened the third
quarter with a 16-0 run. Chicago went scoreless over the first 5:19
of the third period to fall behind, 69-40, and the Bulls went on to
lose their fourth in a row.
Dallas took an 84-58 lead into the final quarter after going
12-for-19 from the field in the third quarter.
"It was a wonderful game for us," Nelson said. "We did what
we were supposed to and that is to take care of business at
home."
Game notes
Next up for Nelson on the coaching victories list is Bill
Fitch with 944. ... Floyd was ejected with 7:34 remaining after
collecting two technicals for protesting a no-call. ... The
Mavericks placed guard Greg Buckner on the injured list and
activated rookie forward Donnell Harvey. Harvey made his NBA debut
in the fourth quarter. ... Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has hired
former NBA referee Woody Mayfield as a consultant. Mayfield will
attend practices and home games to advise the team on rules
interpretations and how to interact with game officials. ...In
addition to Brand, the Bulls were also without Fred Hoiberg
(sprained left ankle) and Jake Voskuhl (foot tendinitis). ...
Mavericks guard Howard Eisley left the game in the third quarter
with a pulled hamstring.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Dallas Clubhouse
Mavs' Nelson takes leave to take care of prostate cancer
RECAPS
Indiana 104
Boston 91
Charlotte 92
LA Clippers 87
Miami 80
Atlanta 76
New Jersey 86
Phoenix 84
Dallas 105
Chicago 86
Philadelphia 107
Portland 94
Toronto 108
Golden State 92
Seattle 103
LA Lakers 95
Sacramento 111
Houston 98
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