WASHINGTON —Jason Terry scored 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 23 to help the Dallas Mavericks send the Washington Wizards to their sixth straight loss, 97-86 today.

Washington tied a 42-year-old franchise record for worst start — the 1966-67 Baltimore Bullets also started 4-21.

The win was Dallas' 13th in 17, even though the Mavericks made only five of 30 3-pointers two nights after a 24-point loss at New Jersey.

Terry made two straight 3-pointers in the final seconds of the third quarter to give Dallas a 70-68 lead and Nowitzki sank three straight jumpers to start the fourth quarter.

After Caron Butler hit on a 3-point play and hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 81-76 with 6:22 to play, Terry made two field goals and Devean George a dunk for a 87-76 lead with 5:09 left.

Antawn Jamison led the Wizards with 22 points, Butler had 18 and Mike James 17.

Washington coach Ed Tapscott's message after Friday's loss to Philadelphia was to drive more and rely less on jump shots. Despite his pleas, the Wizards didn't score on a layup until nearly 7 1/2 minutes were gone.

In the early minutes, Josh Howard scored 10 straight for Dallas, but he had just seven more in the second and third quarters.