DALLAS (AP) – Josh Howard made a go-ahead floater with 1:05 left and made two key free throws with 13.7 seconds to go, sending the Dallas Mavericks past the Minnesota Timberwolves 93-87 Monday night for their 10th straight victory.

Howard and Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 15 points and Erick Dampier added 15 points, 11 rebounds and a tremendous blocked shot of a potential tying layup by Ricky Davis with about 15 seconds left.

The Mavericks were up by 20 points in the third quarter and were leading 82-67 with 7:48 left when they made things interesting by missing 10 straight shots. They recovered in time to remain perfect since an 0-4 start, with the 10-game streak matching the fourth-longest in club history.

The Timberwolves had won three straight since a 1-6 skid. And after overcoming a 12-point deficit in their previous game, they nearly pulled off another one. However, this comeback peaked when they tied it at 84 late in the game.

Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 19 points and 12 rebounds. He and Howard also were hit with double technicals after exchanging shoves in the final half-minute. Mark Blount scored 18 points and Randy Foye scored 11 of his 17 in the final quarter.

Mike James broke out of a scoreless, 0-for-9 slump over his last two games with 10 points for the Timberwolves. He made four of five shots in the first half, then didn’t try another and didn’t play the fourth quarter.

AP-ES-11-27-06 2313EST