Mavs handle Sonics for sixth in a row

SEATTLE – Focused. No matter the opponent. No matter the situation. That’s what the Mavericks were looking for and that’s what they’re continuing to find.

The winning streak hit a season-high six, as Dallas picked Seattle apart in a 90-70 victory Friday night at KeyArena. The effort wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective in sending the reeling Sonics to their sixth consecutive loss.

“That’s the thing,” coach Avery Johnson said. “As long as we can come out and be focused, the uniforms change every night, but we’ve got to have consistent effort on defense and be focused.”

The Southwest Division-leading Mavs (25-11) struggled offensively at times. But they remained dogged at the other end, limiting Seattle to 35-percent shooting and putting the clamps on rookie sensation Kevin Durant.

Seattle’s leading scorer was blanketed all night by Josh Howard. Durant (15 points on 4-13 shooting) spent most of the game floating, and outside of six assists, had little impact on the proceedings.