MyDallasMavs: Mavs couldn't handle the streaking Magic, falling 117-107

After a great start with a big lead, The Mavs weren't able to hold off the Magic, falling 117-107.

Keeping Dwight Howard off the boards and containing Orlando's great 3-point shooting was already known to be a problem.

The Mavericks held a double digit lead in the first half of the game and Orlando's long range shots were off, but neither of these held true for the rest of the game. The Mavs lead quickly faded as they were defeated by the Magic, finishing off their three game homestand with a 1-2 record.

In the first, Chandler played his best defense against Howard but of course it's tough when Howard takes it to the basket. With this trouble, DeShawn Stevenson took the opportunity to step in. He hit plenty of consecutive 3 pointers to give the Mavs an early lead. Howard picked up two quick fouls and the Mavs ended the first quarter with a 29-19 lead.

In the 2nd quarter, Brian Cardinal hit his second three, pushing the Mavs to a double digit lead. JJ Barea then started to take over the quarter hitting great shots. After the Mavs were up by 16, the Magic went on a 7-0 run. Stevenson hit two more 3's, tying his previous season high on his fifth 3 pointer. Howard then sat with his third foul.

The second half of the game was quite different. The Magic came within one with a 12-7 run. Chandler then sat out when he picked up his fourth foul of the game and the Magic stayed close, eventually tying the game.

But Cardinal and Marion put the Mavs back in front as the teams kept battling for the lead. The Magic's great 3 point range kept them in the game but the Mavs took an 81-80 lead going into the 12 final minutes of the game.

At this point, the Mavericks became careless with the ball and frustration lead them to back to back technical fouls where Carlisle got ejected from the game after arguing with officials.

The Magic continued to play great as they took the lead for good with a 23-3 spurt. The night only got worse for the Mavs when Chandler fouled out of the game.

Stevenson and Terry helped the Mavs on a run, but this still wasn't enough to take the lead.

"We let them get in a groove, shoot threes and they got in a rhythm," Stevenson simply said. "I just think we didn't play hard. We let them get in their comfort zone and make threes. And when they made their run we never came back."

This was the Mavericks fifth loss without Dirk Nowitzki.

Stevenson ended the game with a season high 24 points including six 3-pointers. Marion had 18 points and Terry had 16 points with a season high 9 assists. Howard led the Magic with a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Dirk Nowitzki is pushing to play on their four game road trip Wednesday starting in Indiana but is not 100% sure yet.