Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Devin Harris and Monta Ellis each scored 20 points and the Dallas Mavericks handed the Indiana Pacers a season-high fourth straight loss in a 105-94 decision on Sunday.
Dallas squandered a 17-point lead in the first half and needed a late push to sweep the home-and-home series from the Pacers, who had not lost four in a row since March 2011.
"We started off well and ended well, but had some trouble in between, and we had to fight throughout the game," Harris said.
Dirk Nowitzki needed 14 shots to net 14 points for the Mavs, who also received double-digit scoring efforts from Shawn Marion, Jose Calderon and Vince Carter.
Paul George posted a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double, while George Hill chipped in with 20 points for the slumping Pacers, who committed 21 turnovers and managed just four points from their bench.
Lance Stephenson scored 21 points, but had just three after halftime.
The Mavericks raced out to a healthy 35-18 lead behind an 11-0 run that stretched into the second quarter, but the Pacers quickly chipped away at the deficit and took their first lead early in the third when Ellis was called for a technical foul.
George's subsequent free throw was part of a personal 9-2 Indiana run that was immediately countered by a 17-3 surge for Dallas.
Ellis netted seven points during the three-minute turnaround, including a free throw just past the midway point that gave the hosts a 67-58 cushion.
Dallas never trailed from there, though Indiana had a chance to go ahead with under five minutes to go in the fourth after pulling within 89-87.
But after Hill missed a 3-point try on Indiana's end, Harris converted a three-point play to start a game-ending 16-7 run.
"I thought we played hard tonight. We just didn't come away with a win," George said.
