How it happened: The Mavs continued playing tough defense during their best offensive performance of the season.

That’s a pretty tough combination to beat.

The Mavs matched their season-high point total while holding their opponent to a season-low total -- the ninth consecutive game the Mavs' foe scored less than 100 points. They lit it up despite a mediocre milestone performance by Dirk Nowitzki, who surpassed the 23,000-point mark in his career with an 11-point night.

Jason Terry led five Mavs in double figures with 17 points. Vince Carter (16 points, 7-10 FG) and Rodrigue Beaubois (15 points, 7-12 FG) had season-best scoring totals.

It officially became a blowout once the big German got going. Nowitzki had seven points on three jumpers during a 14-0 run that stretched the Mavs’ lead to 27.

One of the most important statistics from the Mavs’ perspective was minutes played. Terry led the team with 25 minutes, meaning the Mavs ought to have relatively fresh legs when the Sacramento Kings come to town Saturday night.

What it means: The Mavs (7-5) have to be considered one of the Western Conference’s hottest teams. They’ve won four in a row and six of the last seven, including four victories by double-digit margins. They’ll shoot for a sweep of the four-games-in-five-nights stretch against the Kings.

Play of the game: Carter set the attacking tone on the Mavs’ first possession, catching the ball at the high post, facing up and blowing by Carlos Delfino for a high-flying dunk.

Stat of the night: Nowitzki became the 23rd player in NBA history to hit the 23,000-point milestone when he hit a free throw with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter. He joins Kobe Bryant, John Havlicek, Reggie Miller, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only players in that exclusive club to play for only one franchise.