CHICAGO, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Steve Nash led all five starters in double figures with 24 points and dished out 11 assists Wednesday night as the Dallas Mavericks won their 10th straight game with a 107-97 victory over the Chicagon Bulls.
Dallas defeated Chicago for the eighth straight time and handed new Bulls coach Bill Cartwright his first loss in three games.
Dirk Nowitzki added 18 points--all in the second half--and pulled down nine rebounds for Dallas.
Greg Buckner started for the injured Chicago native Michael Finley and registered a season-high 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
After Ron Artest hit two free throws with 3:02 left to cut the deficit to 89-85, Nash hit a fadeaway and the Bulls got no closer than six points thereafter.
Artest tied his career high with 29 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Ron Mercer, Brad Miller and rookie Trenton Hassell scored 14 points apiece for Chicago.
Dallas is one win shy of tying the club record for consecutive victories set from Feb. 14-March 4, 1988.
