Mavs Still Alive For No. 2 Seed In Western Conference
DALLAS (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks are still alive for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and will take on the Southwest Division-rival Houston Rockets tonight at the Toyota Center.
Dallas is tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the second slot in the conference standings with two games left, and has won two straight since a four-game losing streak. In Sunday's 115-90 victory over Phoenix in Big D, Dirk Nowitzki finished with 19 points and Shawn Marion added 18 and 11 rebounds.
Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic both scored 17 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who are a game ahead of Oklahoma City in the West.
"We got over the four game losing streak," Terry said. "We're past it and the playoffs are approaching fast so every moment is going to be intense especially out there on the floor.
The Mavs have lost three in a row on the road and are 27-13 away from home this season.
Houston has won three of five games and ended a two-game losing streak with Saturday's 99-78 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.
Brad Miller, Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger scored 16 points apiece and Goran Dragic added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, which is 25-15 at home and also got 12 points and 13 rebounds out of Chuck Hayes.
"I'm just really proud of our team," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We caught a team that was tired. (The Clippers have) been on the road and playing some tough games but we were missing two starters and our guys stepped up."
The Rockets will close out the regular season at Minnesota on Wednesday. Guard Kyle Lowry (foot) is doubtful for Monday and center Luis Scola (knee) is listed as questionable versus the Mavericks.
Dallas is trying to sweep the season series from Houston for the first time since taking all four meetings during the 2005-06 campaign. The Mavs have won three in a row, six of eight and 17 of the past 23 meetings with the Rockets.
The Mavs are 13-5 in their previous 18 visits to Space City.
