Suns at Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks attempt to keep their slim postseason hopes alive when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Dallas is in 10th place in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth and final playoff spot with five contests remaining. The Mavericks have followed two straight losses with back-to-back victories, including a 96-91 triumph over the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday.
The winning streak figures to continue as Dallas takes on the conference's worst team in Phoenix, which has lost 10 straight games. The Suns, who are coming off a 101-98 defeat at Houston, have not won since posting a 99-76 home victory over the Lakers no March 18. Phoenix looks to avoid being swept in the four-game season series and end its 10-game losing streak in Dallas.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix), Fox Sports Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE SUNS (23-55): Tuesday's loss began a stretch during which Phoenix plays four of its final five games on the road. After suffering a 25-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 3, the Suns have dropped their last three contests by a combined total of 10 points. They have been outscored by an average of 12.3 points during their 10-game slide at Dallas. Phoenix has clinched its worst win-loss record since going 16-66 in 1968-69, its inaugural campaign.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (38-39): Dallas is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. But first, it looks to get to the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 12, when it was 11-11. Forward Dirk Nowitzki expects to play after injuring his left foot against Portland. "I'll be fine," he said. "We've got five games left and a huge chance to see .500 for the first time since probably December, so I'll definitely play."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Mavericks have won 11 of their last 12 meetings with the Suns.
2. Phoenix is just 2-16 since Marcin Gortat went down with a foot injury on March 6.
3. Dallas G O.J. Mayo has struggled of late, scoring an average of 7.8 points over his last six games.
PREDICTION: Mavericks 106, Suns 98