Michael Finley scored a career-high 42 points Wednesday as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Detroit Pistons 102-82 to move within one victory of making NBA history.
With a record of 14-0, the Mavericks will be looking to match the best start in NBA history -- 15-0 by Washington in 1948-49 and Houston in 1993-94 -- when they were to play at Indiana last night.
Dirk Nowitzki added 22 points and 15 rebounds for Dallas.
Ben Wallace grabbed a season-high 24 rebounds for Washington, and Richard Hamilton had 19 points.
Magic 112, Lakers 102
In Orlando, Florida, Tracy Mc-Grady had 38 points and nine assists, and Mike Miller added 22 points as Orlando broke a seven-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Darrell Armstrong, coming off the bench for the first time this season, scored 14 points -- 11 in the fourth quarter. Orlando's reserves outscored Los Angeles' 24-7.
Starting in a point forward role was Grant Hill, who had nine points, 10 rebounds and four assists despite sitting out the fourth quarter because of pain in his surgically repaired left ankle. He missed the previous two games and most of a third with tendinitis in that ankle.
Kobe Bryant had 38 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who lost their seventh straight road game while allowing the most points by an opponent this season.
Shaquille O'Neal had 28 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes, his most in four games since returning from toe surgery last week.
Knicks 87, Raptors 81
In Toronto, Allan Houston scored 30 points and Lee Nailon had 10 of his 15 in the fourth quarter as New York won its first road game of the season to spoil Vince Carter's return to the Toronto lineup.
* Kobe Bryant had 38 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who lost their seventh straight road game while allowing the most points by an opponent this season.
* Shaquille O'Neal had 28 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes, his most in four games since returning from toe surgery last week.
* In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 13 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to lead Philadelphia over Miami for its fifth straight victory.
Kurt Thomas added 18 points for the Knicks, who improved to 1-4 on the road and 3-10 overall.
Carter scored 16 points in his first game after missing 10 with a strained quadriceps tendon in his left knee. Carter went 7-for-14 from the field in 24 minutes for the Raptors, who have lost six consecutive games.
The Knicks, who have won just two of their last eight made 11 of their 12 free throws down the stretch.
76ers 83, Heat 74
In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 13 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to lead Philadelphia over Miami for its fifth straight victory.
Eric Snow scored 13 points and Keith Van Horn added 12 for the Atlantic Division-leading Sixers, who improved to 9-0 at home and 12-4 overall.
Brian Grant had 17 points and 18 rebounds, and Eddie Jones added 16 points for Miami, which has lost nine of 11.
Celtics 92, Bulls 82
In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 30 points, and Tony Battie had 16 points and nine rebounds as Boston beat Chicago for its fourth straight win.
Pierce, who also had nine rebounds and six assists, has led the way for Boston during its winning streak by averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds in that stretch. The Celtics have won 10 of 12.
Grizzlies 117, SuperSonics 99
In Memphis, Tennessee, Jason Williams scored a season-high 28 points and had six assists as Memphis beat Seattle for its second straight win.
The Grizzlies, who lost 13 consecutive games to open the season, shot 59.3 percent from the field and had six players in double figures, including 23 by rookie Drew Gooden on 10-of-14 shooting from the field.
Bucks 112, Cavaliers 80
In Milwaukee, Sam Cassell scored 30 points as Milwaukee sent Cleveland to its 12th consecutive loss.
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