Suns, Mavs hook up for rematch of West finals

11.9.2006

(Basketball News) - Two teams that are struggling at the start of the new season battle tonight, as the Phoenix Suns play the first of a three-game homestand when they welcome the Dallas Mavericks to US Airways Center.

This is a rematch from last year’s Western Conference finals. The Mavericks eliminated the Suns in six games, as they advanced to their first-ever NBA Finals where they fell in six to the Miami Heat.

The Suns lost their third straight game on Wednesday. Fabricio Oberto scored 22 points on a perfect 11-of-11 from the floor as the San Antonio Spurs came from behind to beat Phoenix, 111-106, in overtime at the AT&T Center.

Reigning MVP Steve Nash and Raja Bell both finished with 20 points for the slumping Suns, while Amare Stoudemire tallied 16 points but fouled out in just over 15 minutes of action.

Phoenix is 1-1 at home this season. The Suns are scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday and will then have some time off before they play the Philadelphia 76ers on November 17th in front of their home crowd.

Dallas is still trying to earn its first win of the season, as it plays the middle contest of a three-game road trip. The Mavericks have lost four in a row to start the season. They dropped their first eight contests in the 1998-99 season.

Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the floor in the loss, while All-Star Dirk Nowitzki netted 19 and grabbed 12 rebounds in defeat.

The Mavericks will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at the Rose Garden in the finale of the current swing.

Dallas has lost eight of 12 and 13 of its last 18 at Phoenix.

DAL PHO

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