Mavericks defeat 76ers to extend winning streak
DALLAS -- A career showing by backup center Salah Mejri sparked the streaking Dallas Mavericks past the Philadelphia 76ers 113-95 Wednesday at American Airlines Center.
After impressive wins over San Antonio and Cleveland on successive nights earlier this week, the Mavericks (19-30) avoided a letdown and extended their winning streak to three in a row to match a season high. Dallas has also won five of its last six and eight of 11.
Mejri played a leading role despite coming off the bench. The NBA's first player born in Tunisia racked up a career-high 17 rebounds and scored 16 to tally his first double-double of the season.
The 17 boards were a high for any Maverick this season. Mejri connected on 7 of 9 shots -- most of his baskets were dunks -- in 21 minutes, to go along with a block and steal.
Seth Curry led the Mavs with 22 points, six assists and four steals. Harrison Barnes scored 15 and reserve Devin Harris had 14 points.
Jahlil Okafor took advantage of Joel Embiid's absence to pace the Sixers (18-30) with 16 points. Ersan Ilyasova had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Gerard Henderson had 10 points off the bench.
Despite currently being in the lottery mix, the Mavs and Sixers are trending up. Both had winning records in January to buoy their playoff hopes.
Philadelphia, up as much as nine points in the first half, was down only two (62-60) midway through the third. The Mavs finished the period strong to go up 12 and the lead surpassed 20 in the fourth.
Dallas won the rebound battle 51-34.
The Mavericks start a two-game road trip against teams they're trying to catch in the Western Conference standings Friday at Portland. Dallas follows at Denver on Monday.
Philadelphia completes a back-to-back Thursday at San Antonio.
The Mavs went into halftime up 50-47 thanks in part to a 26-8 run in the second quarter. Barnes had 13 points at the break, with Curry scoring 11. Mejri had 12 boards at the half to already set his season high.
Ilyasova had 13 points and eight rebounds going into the locker room. Okafor had 10 points.
NOTES: Mavs rookie PG Yogi Ferrell has come up big in his first two starts since signing a 10-day contract. "The first date was dinner," owner Mark Cuban said. "The second date was drinks. And we all know nothing good happens before the third date." ... The Sixers were without C Joe Embiid (knee contusion) and F Robert Covington (hand contusion). Embiid didn't make the two-game trip, which ends Thursday at San Antonio. Covington's status against the Spurs is uncertain. Rookie G/F Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot made his first career start in Covington's place. ... The earliest Dallas C Andrew Bogut (right hamstring strain) might return is Monday at Denver, per coach Rick Carlisle. ... Mavs PG Deron Williams (sprained toe) missed his fourth straight game.