Mavericks at Rockets
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks are showing signs of being ready in the postseason after an extended rough patch. They will seek a season sweep when they visit the Houston Rockets on Monday before closing at home against New Orleans on Wednesday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS-Southwest, FS-Houston
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (55-25): Dallas is tied with the Los Angeles Lakers (55-25) for the No. 2 spot in the West although the Lakers hold the tiebreaker. The Mavericks also own a one-game lead over Oklahoma City for third with two games left. Heading into the final two games, the Mavericks have won two straight since losing four in a row and 9 of 17. Still, they’re not close to the team that started 24-5 and later won 18 of 19 to improve to 45-16. Dallas beat Phoenix 115-90 on Sunday. Dirk Nowitzki scored 19, Shawn Marion 18 and Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic 17 each. It also appeared Dallas had put a bench spat between Terry and coach Rick Carlisle in Friday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers behind them. Well-rested Jason Kidd returned after sitting for two games earlier in the week.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (42-38): Houston was eliminated from the postseason last week, but still put together a spirited postseason bid without center Yao Ming and after the trades of Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier. Sitting at 22-28 on Feb. 1, Houston went 20-10 before losing its last two games. Houston beat the Clippers 99-78 Friday to secure its eighth winning season in nine years. Los Angeles shot an opponent season-low 34.7 percent, while Brad Miller and Chase Budinger paced six players in double figures with 16 apiece. Houston will close the season at Minnesota on Wednesday.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Marion has averaged 18.4 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last five games while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor. Stojakovic has scored 27 points in 33 minutes off the bench in the last two games. He was 10 for 20 from the floor, including 5 of 13 from the arc. Houston has won its last 18 games when holding an opponent to less than 100 points, which stands as the longest active streak in the NBA
KEY STATISTIC: The Mavericks have lost nine straight against Western Conference playoff teams, dating to a 109-100 victory against the Lakers on Jan. 19 in Dallas.
SEASON SERIES: The Mavericks have taken the first three games this season, all by 10 or fewer points. Luis Scola, who led Houston with 30 points in the second game, and Kyle Lowry, who tallied 26 in the previous game, likely will not play because of injuries. Nowitzki and Stojakovic scored 22 apiece in the 106-102 win Feb. 12.
KEY INJURIES: HOUSTON: G Kyle Lowry (left foot); F Luis Scola (left knee). DALLAS: F Caron Butler (right knee).
LAST WORD: We're building up steam, building up momentum. That's what you want to do. ... For us, it's about rhythm, it's about flow - how we move the ball offensively, how we fly down defensively. Tonight, you saw a great example of it." - Terry, after Dallas' victory over Phoenix.