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Mavs remain perfect

CLEVELAND -- Already off to a great start, the Mavericks showed they can finish well, too.

Dallas extended the NBA's best record, improving to 8-0 by rallying in the second half Wednesday night for a 103-99 victory over the Cavaliers.

"Teams that are championship caliber win the ugly ones," Avery Johnson said. "We found a way."

Dirk Nowitzki scored 13 of his 17 in the fourth quarter for the Mavericks, who trailed by 13 in the third and entered the final 12 minutes behind for the first time this season.

Michael Finley scored a season-high 26 and Walt Williams and Steve Nash had 14 each for Dallas, which overcame a career-high 34 points by Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a dunk by Cavs guard Ricky Davis on which he jumped over Nash.

The Mavericks had only 10 players because of injuries.

"This is a different Mavericks team," said forward Eduardo Najera, who added 12 points. "We're going to handle adversity better."

CELTICS 91, 76ERS 81: Antoine Walker scored 20 and Paul Pierce made a few key baskets while shooting 4-for-20 as host Boston won its sixth in a row.

Pierce, who scored 13, hit a 3-pointer to start a 13-0 run that turned a six-point third-quarter deficit into a 72-65 fourth-quarter lead. He also hit a fadeaway jumper after the Sixers cut an 11-point deficit to seven with 2:01 left.

KINGS 104, WARRIORS 93: Chris Webber had 33 points, seven rebounds and two technical fouls without getting ejected as Sacramento beat host Golden State for the 11th straight time. Webber's second technical was for hanging on the rim after a dunk, and a new rule says certain types of technicals don't mandate ejections.

NETS 91, SPURS 82: Lucious Harris broke open a close game by hitting his first three shots of the fourth quarter as New Jersey improved to 5-0 at home.

HORNETS 102, WOLVES 98: Courtney Alexander scored 11 of his 23 in the fourth as New Orleans improved to 5-0 in its new home.

SUNS 75, NUGGETS 72: Stephon Marbury scored 19, 10 in the third quarter when visiting Phoenix outscored Denver 29-11.

BUCKS 108, BULLS 101: Michael Redd scored a season-high 24 and host Milwaukee blew a 25-point lead before rallying in the fourth.

BROWN IN CHARGE: Hubie Brown held his first practice with the Grizzlies and his edict was clear: Play hard all the time, or don't expect to play at all.

The 69-year-old was at work as an NBA coach for the first time in 15 years. He replaced Sidney Lowe, who resigned Tuesday.

Brown said the Grizzlies must develop better chemistry, tougher defense and a style of play.

"You give me any team worth a grain of salt and they have a distinct style of play," he said.

EX-AGENT SUES: Elbert Crawford, former agent for Pistons forward Corliss Williamson, sued the Sacramento Kings for allegedly reneging on a secret agreement designed to circumvent payroll limits. The suit alleges that in 1999 the Kings promised Williamson a seven-year contract worth at least $50-million if he'd play one season for less than market value. Williamson agreed to play one year for $500,000, but the team then withdrew its offer, the suit says.

WNBA: San Antonio will have a franchise for the 2003 season, either a new team or an existing one moved from another city. The Orlando Miracle is moving as part of the league's restructuring.

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