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The Dallas Mavericks
look to avoid their longest losing streak in over three years as they head to
the Rose Garden to open a two-game road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Mavericks dropped their third straight, 115-105 to the Los Angeles Clippers
on Saturday and will try to avoid losing four in a row for the first time since
a six-game slide from Feb. 29 through March 9, 2000.
Offense hasn't been a problem during the losing streak as Dallas is scoring 105.7 points per game -- better than the Mavs' 102.1 average on the season. However, the team has given up an average of 111.3 points in the three losses. The Mavericks allow an NBA-worst 98.2 points per game.
``We've been through situations like this before and figured out what we had to do,'' reserve forward Antawn Jamison said. ``A lot of guys in this room have a chip on their shoulder. We've got too much talent. This should never happen.''
Jamison had 26
points against the Clippers to match his season high, Dirk Nowitzki scored 23
and Steve Nash added 20 points and 11 assists as the Mavericks were without
head coach Don Nelson, who missed the game because of the flu.
Dallas is winless since Nelson passed Pat Riley to move into second place on
the career victory list with Monday's 111-94 win over Toronto. He has 1,111
wins in his 26-year career.
Nelson's son and top assistant, Donnie, took over bench duties on Saturday and Dallas slipped to 15-11 this season after posting a 22-4 mark at the same point in 2002-03.
Dallas was also without swingman Michael Finley (sprained right big toe) and center Shawn Bradley (back spasms). Both are questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Mavs have lost five of their last eight games overall and could stand to build some momentum before closing their road trip with a tough matchup against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena on Christmas day.
The Blazers return home for a two-game homestand after dropping their second straight with a 117-98 loss to the Kings at Arco on Sunday.
Rasheed Wallace scored 27 points and Zach Randolph had 26 for Portland, which fell to 0-9 on the road this season and lost for the sixth time in the last eight games.
The Blazers, who are the only team left in the league with no road victories, played well most of the way and trailed 96-90 with just over four minutes remaining before the Kings closed the game with a 21-8 run.
``We were in that game for 44 minutes,'' Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said. ``It looked like we stopped defending the last four minutes. With them, you have to play well all 48 minutes.''
Portland closes its homestand against Minnesota on Friday. The Blazers are 12-4 at the Rose Garden this season but have lost two of their last four at home.
STANDINGS (through Dec. 21): Mavericks - 4th place (tied), 2 1/2 GB, Midwest Division. Trail Blazers - 3rd place (tied), 8 GB, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Mavericks - F Antoine Walker, F Nowitzki, C Danny Fortson, G Josh Howard, G Nash. Trail Blazers - F Wallace, F Randolph, C Dale Davis, G Jeff McInnis, G Damon Stoudamire.
TEAM LEADERS: Mavericks - Nowitzki, 19.3 ppg; Walker, 9.7 rpg; Nash, 7.7 apg. Trail Blazers - Randolph, 23.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg; Stoudamire, 6.1 apg.
SEASON SERIES: Mavericks, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Nov. 17; Mavericks, 105-98. At Dallas, Nash posted the only triple-double of his career with 14 points, 12 assists and ten rebounds in the win.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Mavericks - 3-9 on the road; Trail Blazers - 12-4 at home.
INJURIES: Mavericks - F Tariq Abdul-Wahad (knee); G Jon Stefansson (ankle); G Finley (toe); C Bradley (back). Trail Blazers - G Derek Anderson (back); F Travis Outlaw (knee).
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