Spurs at Mavericks
The San Antonio Spurs attempt to extend their winning streak to five games Sunday, when they take on the slumping Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Southwest Division-leading Spurs are coming off a 122-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday that completed a perfect four-game homestand. San Antonio has struggled on the road, however, losing four straight away from the AT&T Center since winning in Houston on Dec. 10.
Dallas enters with a losing streak that reached five games with Friday's 106-85 setback at home against the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks have posted just one win in their last nine overall contests and have dropped two straight at American Airlines Center after winning eight of the first 11 in their own building. Dallas is looking to avenge a 129-91 loss at San Antonio last Sunday in the opener of the four-game season series between the division rivals.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (San Antonio, Dallas)
ABOUT THE SPURS (23-8): San Antonio's offense was clicking on all cylinders during its homestand as the club averaged 112.5 points over the four wins. The Spurs have not been as potent on the road, however, as they have averaged 92.3 points during their four-game slide while reaching triple digits just once. San Antonio set a franchise record in last Sunday's triumph over Dallas by making 20 3-pointers. The Spurs are 89-64 in the all-time series with the Mavericks but just 38-38 in Dallas.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (12-18): Forward Dirk Nowitzki has scored 22 points on 8-of-25 shooting in three games since returning from arthroscopic knee surgery in October. Nowitzki missed Dallas' first 27 contests but made his season debut in last Sunday's loss at San Antonio. "These are my first games in a long time, so it's ugly," Nowitzki said. "I've got to keep fighting, keep working hard in practice days, and eventually I'll be able to come back." The Mavericks have had at least five players score in double figures 16 times this season but are only 9-7 in those contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. San Antonio began the season 11-2 away from home before its current road skid.
2. Dallas has won five of its last seven home meetings with San Antonio and each of the last two.
3. The Spurs already have posted two five-game winning streaks this season, most recently from Dec. 1-10.
PREDICTION: Spurs 112, Mavericks 96.