Mavericks lose to Magic 117-107

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki missed his 7th consecutive game due to a knee sprain, it is the most he has missed in a season in his career.  The Mavericks lost their 5th game during that stretch, with the 117-107 home loss to the Orlando Magic.  It was the most points given up by Dallas this season.  Seven players scored in double figures for Orlando. It was the seventh straight game at least six players scored in double figures for Orlando. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the longest such streak in the NBA in the last 18 seasons. The Utah Jazz are in the only other team to have six players score in double figures in six consecutive games during that span (2009-10 season).

Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson, who entered Saturday’s meeting with Orlando shooting a career best 46.6 percent (54-116 FGs) from beyond the arc (fifth in the NBA), connected on his first 5-of-6 3-point attempts in the game. He led all scorers with 17 points (5-7 FGs, 5-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) through two periods of play and finished with a season-high 24 points (8-13 FGs, 6-9 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) on the night. The six 3-pointers also

marked a season-high. It was the second time in the last three games he’s led the team in scoring (includes ties). It also marked the second time in his last four games that he’s notched 20-plus points. He’s averaging 19.3 points per game over his last four games.

Mavericks forward Shawn Marion tallied 18 points (7-11 FGs, 4-4 FTs) and eight rebounds. He’s averaging 18.3 points per game over his last four games.

Mavericks forward Brian Cardinal tied a season-high with nine points (3-5 FGs, 3-4 3FGs) in 19 minutes off the bench. Orlando shot 42-of-81 (.519) from the field and became just the second team to shoot at least 50.0 percent from the floor against Dallas this season. The Mavericks shot 53.9 percent (41-of-76) from the field in a losing effort.

The Mavericks next game is at Indiana on Jan. 12.