DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 100-91 on Thursday to extend their winning streak to 12 games.

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki of Germany celebrates after hitting a basket against Indiana Pacers in fourth quarter NBA action in Dallas, Texas January 4, 2007. [Reuters]

Josh Howard scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Mavericks improved their NBA best record to 26-7 with their second 12-game victory streak of the campaign.

Dallas started the season 0-4 but the defending Western Conference champions have won 26 of 29 games since.

Dallas did not pull away on Thursday until Devin Harris got going in the fourth quarter.

Harris wound up with 24 points, 13 in the fourth quarter, after Dallas had trailed for most of the night.

Dallas wound up out-scoring the Pacers 28-18 in the fourth quarter, shooting 46 percent from the field overall and 20-of-24 from the line.

Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and seven rebounds in his second game back after a sinus infection for the Mavericks, who have won nine straight home games.

Al Harrington had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost two games in a row after winning six of their previous eight.

Jermaine O'Neal added 20 points and 16 rebounds for Indiana.

*In Oklahoma City, Richard Hamilton scored 27 points as the Detroit Pistons beat the New Orleans Hornets 92-68. Tayshaun Prince added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons who snapped a three-game loosing skid