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By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Mavericks are finally playing like the team they thought they built after Deron Williams spurned them in the offseason.

If they keep this up, it might not be too late to extend their playoff streak to 13 seasons.

The Mavericks have won a season-best four straight games since dropping 10 below .500 for the first time since their last non-playoff year in 2000.

Playing with a new collection of teammates for the second straight year, Dirk Nowitzki shows a new sign of his old self nearly every game as he recovers from knee surgery that sidelined him the first two months.

The 4-game surge will get a good test Friday night defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City.

Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lschuylerd

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