Mavs survive Yao, keep winning Not even a hot Yao Ming could stop the Mavericks. Michael Finley scored 28 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 as the Mavericks overcame a stellar performance by the 7-5 rookie and remained unbeaten with a 103-90 triumph over the Rockets. The Mavs set a franchise record with their 12th straight win and moved within three victories of tying the NBA mark for best start, set by the 1948-49 Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Rockets. Yao was dominant, scoring a season-high 30 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.