Suns at Mavericks
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks are developing a reputation for being a feisty bunch - not only with the other team, but also amongst themselves. Jason Terry was again at the center of the latest incident, as he shouted at J.J. Barea during a timeout on Friday night, earning the veteran guard a benching. The Mavericks will try to channel that anger into something positive as they continue to fight for seeding in the crowded Western Conference. Dallas takes its latest step toward the No. 2 spot as the club hosts the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox SW, KUTP 45
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (54-25): Just over a week ago, Terry was involved in an altercation with Los Angeles’ Steve Blake and Matt Barnes in a loss to the Lakers. His latest tirade seemed to actually do some good, as the Mavericks came from 19 points behind to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-96 on Friday. With point guard Jason Kidd resting for the playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 20 points to help third-place Dallas remain one game behind the Lakers in the West with three games to go. The Mavericks must also worry about No. 4 Oklahoma City, which trails by one game in the standings. The Mavericks have dominated the Suns of late, taking six in a row.
ABOUT THE SUNS (38-41): Phoenix is limping toward the offseason on a sour note, with losses in seven of its past nine games. Their latest loss, a 109-97 setback to New Orleans on Friday, came as point guard Steve Nash sat with a strained right hamstring. When Nash doesn’t play it usually spells trouble for the Suns, who are 1-6 without the league’s top assist man. Nash’s status against Dallas has yet to be determined. Phoenix, which will miss the postseason for the second time in three seasons, is just 3-10 versus Dallas in the 13 previous meetings.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: The Mavericks’ Peja Stojakovic has 17 points in the last two after combining for six total points in the two games beforehand. Nowitzki, averaging a team-high 23.0 ppg, hasn’t scored over 20 in four straight. Suns center Marcin Gortat is averaging 13.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his past five. Phoenix forward Channing Frye is 1 of 7 from 3-point range in his last two outings.
KEY STATISTIC: The benches of the Suns (40.5 ppg) and Mavericks (40.0) are the two highest scoring reserve units in the NBA.
SEASON SERIES: The Mavericks will be going for the four-game season sweep in this one. Dallas won at home and then twice on the road, including a 91-83 victory behind Tyson Chandler’s 16 points and 18 rebounds in the most recent meeting on March 27th.
KEY INJURIES: DALLAS: G Dominique Jones (foot); F Caron Butler (knee). PHOENIX: G Steve Nash (hamstring); G Mickael Pietrus (quadriceps); F Gani Lawal (knee).
LAST WORD: "We’re perfect. We’re great teammates over here. We’re all pros and we’re good friends and we like to be around each other. We’re just glad we got the win. We’ve got to start winning again and get ready for the playoffs." - Barea, on any possible lingering animosity with Terry