TORONTO, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley combined for 50 points Wednesday night as Dallas defeated the Toronto Raptors, 106-92, giving the Mavericks their best start since the 1995-96 season.
Nowitzki scored 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and pulled down 13 rebounds while Finley was three of three from beyond the arc and added 22 points.
Shawn Bradley made a strong contribution at center in place of injured starter Raef LaFrentz, scoring 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.
The Mavericks improved to 4-0 for the first time in seven years. The last time they opened at 4-0, they followed by losing 22 of their next 26 games.
Toronto took its first lead, 67-66, on Voshon Lenard's three-pointer with 2:56 left in the third quarter. But Dallas answered quickly, restoring a five-point lead heading into the final period before pulling away with a 29-10 run.
Lenard led five Raptors in double figures with 20 points. Lindsey Hunter chipped in 17 and Morris Peterson and Jerome Williams added 16 apiece.
Toronto was without Vince Carter and Antonio Davis for the second straight game. Last season's leading scorers are sidelined at least a week with injuries suffered in Saturday's loss to Houston.
The Raptors lost for just the third time in their last 16 games without Carter in the lineup.
