DALLAS, Nov. 18 (Ticker) -- Josh Howard's desire for redemption meant the Atlanta Hawks would have to wait another day for their first win of the season.

Howard scored a season-high 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 20 with 13 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks won their fourth straight game, an 87-78 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

NBA TV highlights from Hawks-Mavericks: Play

Howard made 10-of-13 shots as he atoned for a pair of disappointing performances. He scored just two points against New Orleans/Oklahoma City on Saturday and three against Denver three days later, and was in foul trouble in both games.

"It was kind of my coming-out party as far as being in a slump," Howard said. "As for missing shots, I've had two games like that. It's early in the season. I think we'll be all right."

"Josh got going early and he was aggressive," Nowitzki said.

Atlanta has opened the campaign with eight losses for the first time since the franchise moved from St. Louis in 1968. Toronto is the only other winless team in the league.

For the second consecutive contest, the Hawks took a lead in the first half before seeing their bid for a victory thwarted.

Atlanta had a 13-point advantage against San Antonio on Tuesday before suffering a 103-79 loss.

Atlanta held Dallas to 25 percent shooting (5-of-20) and 11 points to take a five-point lead after the first quarter.

"I thought our defensive (effort) in the first quarter was probably the best we've had all year," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "With a team like this with all the offense they have, holding them to 11 points, I'd say you had a pretty good quarter."

Trailing by nine points early in the second quarter, Dallas used a balanced attack in a 27-13 run to close the half. Nowitzki scored seven points and Howard and Keith Van Horn added six each during the run to help the Mavericks take a 40-33 edge at the break.

"We're making it hard on ourselves," Nowitzki said. "We've got to learn how to jump on people early and kind of establish ourselves early. We've got to change some stuff around because we all know we are a long way from what we are trying to do and what we are trying to accomplish."

After Zaza Pachulia hit a layup to cut Atlanta's deficit to 67-65 with 7:56 to play, former Hawk Jason Terry sank two free throws and Marquis Daniels made consecutive layups to help Dallas hold off the comeback bid.

After missing Tuesday's game with a sprained middle finger on his right hand, Van Horn scored 14 points and was among five Mavericks in double figures. Terry scored 12 and Daniels had 11.

"I hit it a couple of times and it did bother me some," Van Horn said. "The game isn't all about shooting the ball. If you run, play hard and rebound, good things happen and you know you're productive."

Pachulia, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, finished with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds.

"He's been good for us all season," Woodson said. "He's got a back-to-back so hopefully his legs are fresh and ready to go (Friday against the Hornets), because this is the most minutes (42) he's played all season."

Joe Johnson scored 18 points and Al Harrington chipped in 15 and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who shot 38 percent (29-of-76) from the floor and committed 19 turnovers.