Marquee matchup: Dallas hosts Suns

The Southwest Division-leading Mavericks own a 3 1/2 game lead over the Pacific Division-leading Suns for the top seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. The Mavericks won both contests between the clubs. The Suns have lost two of their last three at Dallas.

Phoenix is scheduled to host the Mavericks on April 1st at US Airways Center.

The Suns enter tonight’s contest on a five-game winning streak. Leandro Barbosa scored 32 points to lead Phoenix to a 103-82 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday at U.S. Airways Center.

Boris Diaw ended with 15 points, while Shawn Marion collected 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Suns, who have already clinched a playoff berth. Amare Stoudemire had only 12 points, while reigning MVP Steve Nash registered just 10 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which is closing in on capturing its third straight Pacific Division crown.

Phoenix is an impressive 23-8 on the road this season. The Suns return home to host the Detroit Pistons on Friday at US Airways Center.

Dallas attempts to get back on the winning track. On Monday, Mickael Pietrus ended with 20 points to help the Golden State Warriors knock off the Mavericks, 117-100, and stop their franchise-record 17-game winning streak at ORACLE Arena.

All-Star Dirk Nowitzki was limited to 13 points and nine rebounds and committed seven of Dallas’ 23 turnovers in the loss to Golden State. Erick Dampier and Jason Terry both had 16 points for Dallas, which shot 42.3 percent and lost for just the third time in 41 games overall.

The Mavericks, who play the first of a short two-game homestand, are a league- best 30-3 at home this season. They will host Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics on Friday.

Dallas defeated the Suns in six games in last year’s Western Conference finals.