In his best performance of an uneven season, Hardaway had 17 points and seven assists in a 102-82 bump-and-grind victory against Cleveland at the American Airlines Center. Michael Finley, showing signs of emerging from his shooting slump, led the Mavericks with 22 points.

"Tim has taken a step in the right direction," general-manager coach Don Nelson said.

Hardaway made half of his 12 shots, significant because he began play shooting only .324 from the field. He had no turnovers, significant because he had barely a 2-to-1 assists-turnovers ratio.