Thu Feb 14 11:03:31 2008

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Suns, Mavs battle in Phoenix

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(Sports Network) - Two of the top teams in the Western Conference meet tonight, as the Phoenix Suns welcome the Dallas Mavericks to US Airways Center.

Dallas was the top story in the NBA on Wednesday, as rumors surfaced regarding a blockbuster trade with Jason Kidd landing with the Mavericks in trade from New Jersey. However, Mavericks forward Devean George blocked the deal due to a provision in his one-year contract.

The trade was set up to send Kidd to the Mavericks for a package of players that included guard Devin Harris. The Nets were also to receive DeSagana Diop, Jerry Stackhouse, George, Maurice Ager, and a pair of first round draft picks for 2008 and 2010. The Mavericks were also going to receive Antoine Wright and Malik Allen to make the salaries add up.

The Mavericks play the first of a four-game road trip. On Wednesday, Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 37 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Dallas dominated the Portland Trail Blazers, 96-76, at American Airlines Center.

Jason Terry added 24 points for the Mavericks, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Jose Barea scored 11 points, while Erick Dampier collected 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who won their 10th in a row at home.

George went scoreless with a dismal 0-for-11 shooting performance, while Diop scored four points and grabbed seven boards off the bench.

Dallas is 12-14 on the road this season. The Mavericks have lost two in a row as the visitor.

The Mavericks will also visit New Orleans, Memphis and Minnesota on the current swing.

Phoenix plays the opener of a four-game homestand. On Wednesday, Monta Ellis had a game-high 37 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists, as the Golden State Warriors held off the Suns, 120-118, at ORACLE Arena.

Amare Stoudemire finished with a team-high 29 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, who had a two-game winning streak halted. Grant Hill scored 26 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds, while Leandro Barbosa, who has been battling the flu, contributed 24 points off the bench. Two-time MVP Steve Nash finished with 20 points and 12 assists.

The Suns, who have won two in a row at US Airways Center, are 19-6 at home this season. They will also host the Lakers, Celtics and Pistons on the homestand.

Center Shaquille O'Neal, who was acquired from the Miami Heat last week, has not played for the Suns because of a left hip injury. O'Neal, who will turn 36 in March, has two years left on his contract after this season and is set to be paid $20 million in each of the next two years. In just 32 games this season, he is averaging a career-low 14.2 points along with 7.8 rebounds.

Shaq will most likely make his Phoenix debut after the All-Star break, when the Suns host superstar Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Wednesday, February 20th.

This is the second meeting of the campaign between the clubs. On December 19th, Nowitzki scored 31 points and the Mavericks withstood a late Suns rally to earn a 108-105 victory at American Airlines Center.

The teams have split the last six contests in the series. Dallas has dropped two of its last three at Phoenix.