Mavericks vs. Suns

                                                                                         

Dallas -4 1/2 vs. Phoenix

The Dallas Mavericks have finally arrived. The team struggled mightily through the first month of the season but has seemingly found their groove in recent weeks. Dallas (9-8) has won seven of the last eight games and the only thing standing in the way of an eight-game winning streak was the two-loss Lakers, who the Mavericks played very well on the road.

While Rick Carlisle has worked out the kinks in his first season in Dallas, Terry Porter has hit a skid in his first season in a new era of Phoenix Suns basketball. The Suns (11-8) are the opposite of the Mavericks because they started the season out strong, but have sputtered recently. Wednesday night they lost at New Orleans 104-91 to drop their third straight game and fifth in eight contests.

The two teams heading in opposite directions will renew rivalries in Dallas tonight.

The Mavericks' most recent victory came Tuesday over the Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas had to fight back from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to post the two-point win, 100-98. Jose Juan Barea was the hero of the night as he scored nine of his 15 points in the final stanza and netted a three-pointer with 50.2 seconds remaining, which turned out to be the game winner.

In New Orleans the Suns dropped their third straight game for the first time since the 2005-06 season. Part of the reason for their recent skid can be the tough injuries they have suffered. Former Mav Steve Nash has been in and out of the lineup lately with a bruised thigh and missed Wednesday's loss, this time with the flu. Shaquille O'Neal was also inactive due to a coaching decision. Porter had decided, and demonstrated so far, that he will rest the aging big man in back-to-back game scenarios to keep him fresh and healthy for the season and playoffs. O'Neal will play tonight while Nash will be a gametime decision.

This will be the first meeting of the year between the perennial Western powers. Dallas won two of the three games last season, including the lone game played in American Airlines Center.

InSpin.com

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