08 December,2010 11:26 AM IST | | Agencies
The Dallas Mavericks stretched their NBA winning streak to 10 games Tuesday, thanks to strong performances from a brace of back-up big men from France.
With Tyson Chandler sidelined by a stomach bug and Brendan Haywood in foul trouble, third-string center Ian Mahinmi had 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds and fourth-team center Alexis Ajinca also came through for Dallas in a 105-100 victory over Golden State.
Dallas' German star Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Jason Terry had 20 and Caron Butler chipped in 19.
But the victory owed plenty to Mahinmi and Ajinca, both of France, who helped the Mavs notch a double-digit winning streak for the ninth time in club history. The last time Dallas won 10 in a row was en route to a 13-game winning streak last season, from February 17-March 10, 2010.
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Golden State lost their fourth straight and ninth in 10 games. However, they didn't go without a fight.
The Warriors hit a pair of three-pointers in the final 30 seconds to keep inching closer, forcing the Mavericks to seal the triumph from the free throw line.
Stephen Curry scored 21 points, David Lee had 20, Monta Ellis 18 and Dorrell Wright 17 for the Warriors.
Mahinmi came in during the first quarter, when Haywood picked up his second foul. Then Mahinmi got a pair of fouls and Ajinca came in.
Ajinca, who had played just three minutes all season, grabbed a career-high six rebounds -- three on each end -- blocked two shots and had a steal in his nine minutes.
He also scored three points, draining a jump shot from the baseline and sinking a free throw.
"I thought Lex was the big one," said Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd. "We've seen Mahinmi do this, but Alexis stepped in and got six rebounds, blocked shots and made a couple of shots."
Haywood came back in to replace Ajinca and started the second half, but coach Rick Carlisle played Mahinmi all of the fourth quarter.
"It was definitely a great feeling to be on the floor to the last minute," Mahinmi said. "I get more experiences. That's what I'm looking for."
Terry said he was excited to see Mahinmi and Ajinca shine when they had the chance.
"That's what I've been seeing since training camp, what I see in practice," Terry said.
Ajinca noted that another French import, injured guard Rodrigue Beaubois, scored 40 points for the Mavericks against Golden State last season.
"I guess French guys don't like Golden State," he laughed.
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