Mavs continue road trip in Utah

Dallas opened the road swing with a 109-92 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at the Rose Garden.

Dirk Nowitzki had a game-high 33 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won two straight and three of their last four games. Dallas swept the season-series, 4-0, against Portland for the second consecutive season and has won 10 straight and 11 of the last 12 games in the series.

The Mavericks, seeded fourth in the Western Conference playoff race, are 9-3 in their last 12 road games and 20-8 as the visitor this season.

After Saturday’s game against the Trail Blazers, Dallas will conclude its road trip at Sacramento on Sunday night.

Utah, meanwhile, is in the hunt for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and will wrap up its three-game homestand versus Dallas.

The Jazz have won two straight and three of their last four games, including Wednesday’s 96-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deron Williams tied a career-high with 24 points, while Andrei Kirilenko posted 15 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and tied a career-high with eight blocked shots.

Utah is 6-3 in its last nine home games and 16-15 at the Delta Center this season.

Saturday’s tilt between Dallas and Utah will the third of four meetings this season. Utah won the first meeting in the season opener on November 2 by a 93-82 score, but the Mavericks handed the Jazz a 103-89 setback on January 28.

Dallas will host the Jazz on April 16th at American Airlines Center.